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Quick Start Guide

Get up and running with RxFlow in just a few minutes! This guide walks you through your first prescription refill workflow.

🎯 Your First Refill

Step 1: Start the Application

# Navigate to your RxFlow directory
cd rxflow-pharmacy-assistant

# Start the Streamlit interface
streamlit run app.py

The application will open in your browser at http://localhost:8501.

Step 2: Begin a Conversation

You'll see the RxFlow interface with a chat box. Try one of these starter messages:

Starter Messages

I need to refill my omeprazole
I need refills for my blood pressure medications
What's the cheapest way to get my lisinopril?
Where's the nearest CVS pharmacy?

Step 3: Follow AI Guidance

RxFlow will guide you step-by-step through the process:

graph LR
    A[Start Chat] --> B[Medication ID]
    B --> C[Safety Check]
    C --> D[Cost Options]
    D --> E[Pharmacy Selection]
    E --> F[Complete Order]

💡 Interactive Workflow Example

Here's what a typical conversation looks like:

Sample Conversation Flow

You: "I need to refill my omeprazole"

RxFlow: "I found your omeprazole 20mg for acid reflux in your medication history. Is this the medication you want to refill?"

You: "Yes, that's correct"

RxFlow: "Great! Let me verify the dosage for safety... ✅ Dosage verified. Now let me show you cost options:

  • Generic Omeprazole: $12.99 (90-day supply)
  • Prilosec Brand: $45.99 (90-day supply)
  • Your Savings: $33.00 with generic

Which option would you prefer?"

You: "I'll take the generic option"

RxFlow: "Excellent choice! Now let me find nearby pharmacies with the best prices and shortest wait times..."

🎮 Natural Conversation Interface

RxFlow uses natural language - just type what you need:

Common Requests

  • "I need to refill my [medication name]" - Start any refill request
  • "What medications am I currently taking?" - View medication history
  • 🏥 "Where's the nearest pharmacy?" - Find pharmacy locations
  • 💰 "What's the cost of my prescription?" - Get pricing information
  • ⚠️ "I need prior authorization help" - Handle insurance issues

Test Scenarios (Try these examples)

  • 🚫 "I need a refill for metformin" - No refills remaining → Doctor escalation
  • 💊 "I need to refill lorazepam" - Controlled substance → Doctor consultation
  • 🏥 "I need omeprazole refilled" - Normal workflow with pharmacy selection
  • "I need hydrocodone" - Unknown medication → Pharmacist consultation

🎛️ Streamlined Interface Overview

Clean, Healthcare-Focused Design

RxFlow features a distraction-free interface optimized for healthcare conversations:

  • Left Sidebar: Patient information, recent prescriptions, and helpful links
  • Main Chat: Full-width conversation area for natural interaction
  • Sticky Input: Message box always visible at bottom for easy access
  • No Distractions: Clean design without progress bars or status indicators

Patient Information Always Visible

The sidebar shows John Smith's information: - Patient ID: patient_001 - Insurance: BCBS TX 001
- Active Medications: 6 - Last Refill: 2 weeks ago - Recent Activity: Real prescription refill history

Getting Help

Use the sidebar's Quick Links to access: - 📋 Medical History: View all current and past medications - 💳 Insurance Info: Check coverage and formulary details - ❓ Help & Support: Documentation and troubleshooting

Main Chat Area

  • Conversation History: All your interactions with RxFlow
  • Message Input: Type your requests or questions
  • Quick Send: Pre-written message buttons
  • Demo Data: Sample patient and pharmacy information
  • Session Controls: Reset conversation or export data
  • Debug Info: Toggle technical details
  • Current State: See your workflow progress
  • Tools Used: Monitor system operations
  • Cost Tracking: View savings and comparisons

📱 Key Features to Try

1. Smart Medication Matching

Try: "I need my heartburn medicine"
RxFlow will identify this as omeprazole from your history

2. Safety Escalation

Try: "I need to refill my lorazepam"  
RxFlow will escalate controlled substances to a pharmacist

3. Cost Optimization

Try: "Find me the cheapest option for my medications"
RxFlow will compare prices across multiple pharmacies

4. Location Services

Try: "Which pharmacy is closest to downtown?"
RxFlow will find nearby locations with distances

🛡️ Safety Features in Action

RxFlow automatically protects you with:

Automatic Safety Checks

  • Drug Interactions: Checks against your medication list
  • Allergy Verification: Cross-references known allergies
  • Dosage Validation: Ensures safe medication strengths
  • Controlled Substances: Escalates to pharmacist review

Interactive Confirmations

  • 🔍 Medication Verification: "Is this the correct medication?"
  • 💊 Dosage Confirmation: "Is 20mg the right strength?"
  • 🏥 Pharmacy Selection: "Would you like to use this pharmacy?"

📊 Understanding the Interface

Workflow States

Monitor your progress through these states:

State Description Next Steps
🏁 GREETING Initial welcome Share your medication needs
🔍 MEDICATION_SEARCH Finding your medication Confirm medication details
ESCALATED Safety review needed Wait for pharmacist contact
💰 COST_ANALYSIS Comparing options Choose preferred option
🏥 PHARMACY_SELECTION Finding locations Select pharmacy
📝 ORDER_PROCESSING Submitting request Review and confirm
COMPLETED Process finished Pick up medication

Tool Activity Monitor

Watch real-time tool usage: - 👤 Patient Tools: Medication history, allergies - 🏥 Pharmacy Tools: Location, inventory, wait times - 💊 Medication Tools: RxNorm lookup, interactions - 💰 Cost Tools: Insurance, pricing, savings - 🛡️ Safety Tools: Escalation detection

🎯 Pro Tips

Efficient Communication

Communication Best Practices

  • Be Specific: "omeprazole 20mg" vs "my heartburn pills"
  • Confirm Quickly: Respond "yes" or "no" to confirmation questions
  • Ask Questions: "What insurance do you accept?" or "How long is the wait?"

Using Demo Data

The system includes sample data for testing: - Patient ID: 12345 (John Smith) - Sample Medications: omeprazole, lisinopril, metformin - Test Pharmacies: CVS Main St, Walgreens Downtown - Sample Insurance: BlueCross BlueShield

Troubleshooting

Use the "Reset Conversation" button in the sidebar to start fresh.

Check the "Debug Info" toggle to see technical details.

Try saying "help" or "what can you do?" for guidance.

🚀 Advanced Usage

Multiple Medications

"I need refills for omeprazole, lisinopril, and metformin"
RxFlow will process each medication individually with safety checks.

Insurance Scenarios

"My insurance denied my prescription, what are my options?"
RxFlow will explore alternatives, generic options, and assistance programs.

Pharmacy Preferences

"I only want to use CVS pharmacies"
RxFlow will filter results to your preferred pharmacy chain.

📈 Next Steps

Once you're comfortable with the basics:

  1. User Guide - Master advanced features
  2. Safety Features - Understand safety protocols
  3. Pharmacy Services - Explore all pharmacy tools
  4. Configuration - Customize your experience

You're Ready!

You now know the basics of RxFlow! Start with a simple refill request and explore the features as you go. The system will guide you through each step safely and efficiently.

Need more help? Check out our Complete User Guide or try the interactive demo scenarios!