How Can I Manage Pill Counts on the Hero Dispenser?
Managing pill counts on the smart dispenser is essential for accurate alerts and notifications. This guide provides instructions for updating, and maintaining pill counts to ensure a seamless experience with your device.
Updating the Pill Count on the Device
Follow these steps to update the pill count on the Hero smart dispenser:
Press any button to access the main menu.
Select the 'Pill Status' option.
Navigate to the medication you want to check and select it.
Choose 'Check Cartridge' to access the cartridge of the selected medication.
Use the 'Update Pill Count' option and enter the exact number of pills in the cartridge using the on-screen keypad.
Confirm your entry. This will create a new baseline pill count for that cartridge.
Return the cartridge to the dispenser and close the door securely.
You can repeat this process for all medications stored in the device to ensure tracking accuracy.
Best Practices for Maintaining Accurate Pill Tracking
Refill Properly: Always use the 'Refill' option on the device when adding pills. This prevents the device from miscalculating the total pill count. - Use the 'Pill Count' option under refill to add the exact number of pills being loaded. The device will sum these with the existing count. - If you're unsure about the exact pill count, you can select 'Skip', but this will switch the device to estimate mode. In estimating mode, after refill, Hero needs 10 dispenses to estimate pill level.
The estimated pill level is generally accurate for average-sized pills; however, if your pills are very small or very large, it's best to use the exact pill count for more precise tracking.
Monitor Notifications: The dispenser will notify you when the pill count runs low, typically at 7 days remaining. Keep track of these alerts to avoid missed doses.
Troubleshooting
My Hero says my meds are low, but they are not
This happens when Hero estimates pill level for very small pills - this is why we recommend updating the pill count on the smart dispenser.
FAQs
How do I know how many pills are left?
Open the Hero app and go to the Meds tab.
Select your medication.
Look for the pill level box under Medication Status.
How will Hero know if I’m running low on pills?
Hero smart dispenser provides couple of ways of tracking your pill levels to make sure that you never run low.
Our platform estimates your pill levels and alerts you when they're low, both in the app and on the smart dispenser. This way, you can stay on top of your medication supply.
For more granular tracking, you can add the exact pill count when adding or refilling a medication. This will give you an even more accurate estimate of your pill levels and help you plan for when it's time to refill your medication.
As a general rule, you’ll need to refill each medication approximately every 90 days, assuming standard-sized pills. However, refill frequency may vary based on:
✅ Pill size – Larger pills take up more space, reducing capacity.
✅ Dosage frequency – Medications taken multiple times per day will need refilling sooner.
✅ Number of pills per dose – If a single dose requires multiple pills, your supply will deplete faster.