Abstract: A patient care apparatus and method where the apparatus has an audible sound producing device that sounds an audible alarm when a particular alarm condition is sensed with respect to a patient or the apparatus itself. The apparatus includes a non-hand contact alarm silence switch that can be activated to silence the audible alarm. That non-hand contact alarm silence switch can be activated by various means that do not involve an object or person actually contacting the switch by any portion of the care provider that would be expected to remain in sterile conditions. Various technologies can be used for the non-hand contact alarm silence switch including proximity sensing, optical sensing, temperature sensing, air pressure sensing or voice command, any one of which can activate the switch without the need to make physical contact of the alarm silence switch by a person or object. In one embodiment, the apparatus has a foot-operated alarm silence switch.

Abstract: A thoracic drainage system for removing liquid from the thoracic cavity of a patient. The system includes a reusable thoracic vacuum regulator and a standard disposable collection container. A disposable water seal chamber is also provided that can be disposed of after each patient and is a separable, independent component. There is also a combination thoracic vacuum regulator having a water seal chamber removable affixed thereto to enable the water seal chamber to be readily removed from the thoracic vacuum chamber in order to carry the water seal chamber along with the patient as that patient is transported.