Abstract: Methods and apparatus for detecting moisture that includes at least three conductors. One of the conductors has a different resistance than the other conductors. A liquid extends between the conductors. The difference between the impedance through a pair of conductors and the liquid and the impedance of through another pair of conductors and the liquid may be used to determine the position of the liquid along a length of the conductors. Similar methods may be used to determine an area of a liquid with respect to the conductors.

Abstract: An example system connects to a location engine in a mesh network, transmits a first message indicating a bus master service hosted by a bus master, and receives a message indicating a location service hosted by a location engine and an aggregation service hosted by an aggregator connected to the location engine. The bus master stores a first entry corresponding to the location service and a second entry corresponding to the aggregation service. The bus master transmits a request to access the location service; receives a response confirming a subscription to the location service; and receives timing data indicating times at which the multiple receivers in a clinical environment received a wireless signal from a tag. The bus master aggregates the timing data into a data stream and transmits data stream to the location service in accordance with the subscription.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes a mattress having a head end. A frame is configured to support the mattress. The frame includes a head portion that extends beyond the head end of the mattress. The head portion defines a recess. At least one handle assembly is pivotally coupled to the head portion. The at least one handle assembly includes an elongate member coupled to the head portion proximate the recess. The elongate member is operable between a stowed position and a deployed position. The elongate member is disposed over the head portion when in the stowed position. A handle extends from a distal end of the elongate member. The handle extends at an acute angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the elongate member.

Abstract: A system can identify a first position of a tag in a clinical environment based on first times at which first receivers received a first wireless signal from the tag. The system can estimate a second position of the tag in the clinical environment based on second times at which second receivers received a second wireless signal from the tag. The system determines that a boundary is located between the first position and the second position, defines a path range around the first position of the tag based on an expected movement of the tag during a time interval between the first and second wireless signals, determines that the boundary lacks a door within the path range, adjusts the second position of the tag based on the boundary map, and transmits a message indicating that the tag is located at the adjusted position at the second time.

Abstract: A charging system for a medical facility includes a patient support apparatus that has a base frame, an upper frame, a wheel to engage a floor surface, and a controller. A rechargeable battery is operably coupled to the base frame. The controller is configured to communicate with the rechargeable battery. A transmitting assembly is coupled to at least one of a wall surface and the floor surface of said medical facility. A receiving assembly is operably coupled to the base frame adjacent to the wheel. The receiving assembly is in communication with the rechargeable battery. The receiving assembly and the transmitting assembly selectively communicate to charge the rechargeable battery. An alert feature is in communication with the controller of the patient support apparatus. The alert feature is configured to emit an alarm when the controller indicates the rechargeable battery is at or below a predetermined charge level.

Abstract: Wound dressings including a skin contact layer and a cover layer removably adhered to the top surface of the skin contact layer are described. The skin contact layer includes a lower substrate extending around a central aperture and a lower adhesive. The lower substrate includes a top surface and a bottom surface opposite the top surface. The lower adhesive is disposed on the bottom surface of the lower substrate. The cover layer substantially covers the central aperture of the lower substrate, and includes an upper substrate and a backing layer. An upper adhesive is positioned between the top surface of the lower substrate and a bottom surface of the backing layer. In embodiments, the cover layer can be removed and changed while the skin contact layer remains adhered to the skin around a wound.

Abstract: A location system can be used to identify locations of assets in a clinical environment. An example location system receives, from a primary receiver, timing data indicating times at which multiple receivers including the primary receiver received a wireless signal from a tag. The multiple receivers may be located in the clinical environment. The example location system further identifies that the timing data includes a flag indicating that a user of the tag has requested assistance, identifies an identifier of the tag based on the timing data; and transmits, to a reporting system, a first message indicating an identifier of the tag and that the user of the tag has requested assistance.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes a controller having a processor and a memory. The memory may have instructions stored therein related to an exercise regimen for a patient. A graphical user interface may be provided. The controller may be configured to display an alert on the graphical user interface when the patient requires exercise. User inputs may be displayed on the graphical user interface to enable a caregiver to record exercises completed by the patient.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes a frame, a support surface, and a sensor. The frame cooperates with the support surface to support a patient. The sensor is coupled to one of the frame and the support surface and is configured to provide an input signal indicative of a characteristic associated with the patient.

Abstract: An incontinence detection pad for detecting incontinence events includes a moisture absorbent layer that has non-embossed areas and embossed areas. The non-embossed areas have a first density of fibers of the layer, and the embossed areas have a second density of fibers of the layer that is greater than the first density. The incontinence detection pad further includes a plurality of electrodes positioned beneath the moisture absorbent layer and a transmitter connected to the plurality of electrodes and configured to transmit a signal indicative of a status of the moisture absorbent layer.

Abstract: A topper (38) for a bed extends in longitudinal and lateral directions and includes a fluid flowpath (60) for channeling fluid through the topper from an inlet (62) to an outlet (64). The flowpath is configured to distribute the fluid to a preferred target region (50) of the topper. A bed which includes the topper has a blower (72) connected to the topper inlet for supplying air (88) to the flowpath.

Abstract: A user module for a patient support is provided. The user module is coupled to a patient support barrier, such as a siderail or a footboard.

Abstract: A patient monitoring system includes a microphone that collects audio data from a patient. The audio data is used to generate audio characteristics for categorization of the audio data and analysis of the audio data to determine a patient health status. The audio characteristics and the patient health status are tracked over time and utilized to monitor a respiratory condition of the patient. The system determines the patient health status based on a comparison of the audio characteristics with a database of audio characteristics associated with recorded health statuses of various patients. The system generates a report of the current patient health status based on the database of audio characteristics and associated health statuses.

Abstract: A patient immersion sensor includes a radio detection and ranging (RADAR) apparatus to determine a time of flight (TOF) of a RADAR pulse and a reflected signal that is reflected by a patient or by a portion of a patient support surface supporting the patient. The TOF is indicative of an immersion depth or a distance toward bottoming out of a patient supported on the patient support surface, such as a mattress or a pad. The RADAR apparatus emits pulses of very short duration so as to be able to detect objects, such as a patient or a portion of a mattress or pad, at very close distances. The RADAR apparatus may use time-of-flight (TOF) between transmission of the pulse and receipt of a reflected signal to determine a distance toward bottoming out by the patient, thereby to determine if the patient is properly immersed into the patient support surface.

Abstract: A mobile caregiver application is stored on mobile devices of caregivers for managing alert messages generated by a variety of equipment in a healthcare information system. The mobile caregiver application allows secure voice, text, and, optionally, video communication between caregivers using their mobile devices.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes a visual indicator in connection with a portion of the patient support apparatus. The visual indicator is configured to output a first indication and a second indication. The support apparatus also includes a communication circuit configured to communicate via a wireless communication interface and a controller configured to communicate with a service unit via the wireless communication interface. The controller is configured to activate the first indication in response to the service unit detected within a detection range, and in response to enabling a remote access to the service unit, the controller is configured to activate the second indicator. The activation of the second indicator identifies the controller of the patient support apparatus in communication with the service unit via the wireless communication interface.

Abstract: A system for turning a patient supported on a patient support apparatus includes a U-shaped frame and a rectangular frame pivotably coupled to the U-shaped frame. The rectangular frame includes first and second sheet grippers configured to removeably couple a plurality of sheets to the system and secure the patient between the sheets. The rectangular frame, the sheets, and the patient are configured to rotate at least 180 degrees relative to the U-shaped frame after the U-shaped frame, the rectangular frame, the sheets, and the patient are raised at least a clearance distance above the patient support apparatus.

Abstract: An occupant support includes a framework which includes a frame, an orientation adjustable deck section supported by the frame, and a lockable gas spring whose components include a piston assembly coupled to one of the frame and the deck section and a cylinder coupled to the other of the frame and the deck section. The piston assembly includes a piston and a connecting rod. The piston divides the interior of the cylinder into an isolated compartment and a non-isolated compartment. The non-isolated compartment has an inlet and an outlet. An outflow check valve resists fluid flow out of the non-isolated compartment and admits ambient fluid into the non-isolated compartment. An inflow check valve resists fluid flow into the non-isolated compartment and enables fluid flow out of the non-isolated compartment. A turbine receives fluid which flows out of the non-isolated compartment. An electrical generator is coupled to the turbine.

Abstract: A modular system is usable to vary the conditions around a bed in a home to provide various levels of support for patients who are at home and have varying acuity of medical complications. The modular system allows the home bed to be temporarily adapted for medical care.

Abstract: A mattress support includes a base plate configured to be positioned on a box spring of a bed. A bladder may be coupled to a top surface of the base plate. A top plate is coupled to a top surface of the bladder. A top surface of the top plate is configured to support a mattress. The bladder is inflatable to adjust a height of the top plate.