Abstract: An authorization system for a medical facility includes a support apparatus having a pneumatic system and a control panel coupled to the support apparatus. The control panel includes a display. The authorization system also includes a control unit communicatively coupled to the control panel. The control unit is configured to receive settings information for a continuous rotation function of the pneumatic system, seek authorization for at least one of enabling and activating the continuous rotation function via at least one of a key code and a multi-step authorization process via the display, activate the pneumatic system in a preview mode to adjust the pneumatic system through a single cycle of the continuous rotation function in response to receiving authorization, and activate the pneumatic system in an active mode for providing the continuous rotation function for a predefined period of time in response to receiving the authorization.

Abstract: A healthcare communication system includes a voice communication badge to be worn or otherwise transported by a caregiver. The voice communication badge has a display, a microphone, buttons that are used to select or alter first information appearing on the display, and circuitry including a wireless fidelity (WiFi) module configured to (i) send and receive long range wireless signals to and from one or more of the wireless access points, and (ii) send and receive short range wireless signals. The circuitry also includes a location module to emit beacon signals that are received by at least one receiver of a real-time locating system which includes a locating computer that determines a location of the voice communication badge based on the beacon signals.

Abstract: One or more detection and ranging sensors can be used to monitor patients in a variety of different environments and embodiments. In one embodiment, detection and ranging sensors can be used to monitor a patient's movement, including movement in a patient bed and around a room. In another embodiment, a patient position can be monitored in a patient bed, which can be used as feedback for control of bladders of a patient bed. Additional embodiments are described herein.

Abstract: A bed control system for controlling settings of a bed includes a bed controller that is configured to control multiple actuators of the bed. The actuators are configured to move the bed based on instructions from the bed controller. A master computing device is remote from the bed and communicatively coupled to the bed controller. The master computing device includes a memory storing a preset risk protocol and logic that, when implemented by a processor, sends adjustment instructions to the bed controller based on a comparison between multiple current bed settings of the bed and the preset risk protocol.

Abstract: A person support apparatus including a person support surface including an actuating device and a controller configured to operate the actuating device to perform a set by preview subroutine and a rotation preview subroutine, wherein, during the set by preview subroutine, the controller receives user input positioning the actuating device into a first preview position and sets the first preview position as a first evaluation position, and wherein, during the set by preview subroutine, the controller receives user input positioning the actuating device into a second preview position and sets the second preview position as a second evaluation position. In embodiments, the controller is configured to simultaneously perform a P&V subroutine during rotation of the person support surface.

Abstract: Systems, methods, beds, supports surfaces and machine readable medium for associating beds and support surface of a healthcare facility are disclosed. A surface association system for a healthcare facility may comprise a plurality of beds. The system may further comprise a computing device and a plurality of support surfaces to be placed upon beds of the plurality of beds. The computing device may associate a support surface of the plurality of support surfaces with a bed of the plurality of beds. The computing device may make the association based upon status data received from the plurality of beds and the plurality of support surfaces. The support surface and/or bed to be associated may initiate a surface association request. The computing device, in response to the surface association request, may request performance of one or more actions on the bed and/or support surface to be associated to identify the bed and/or support surface from the beds and support surfaces of the healthcare facility.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus comprises a plurality of load cells, a frame supported on the load cells, a mattress, a vibration sensor, and a control system. The mattress includes a plurality of inflatable zones positioned on the frame, the mattress and frame cooperating to direct any patient load through the mattress and frame to the load cells. The control system includes a controller operable to receive a separate signal from each of the plurality of load cells and the vibration sensor and process the signals to identify motion of the patient.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus has a wireless side channel that is used for linking with a service tool, such as a tablet computer or laptop computer, to receive service updates for the patient support apparatus. The wireless side channel communicates wirelessly with the service tool while normal wireless communications between the patient support apparatus and a network of a healthcare facility are maintained. Thus, the patient support apparatus is able to continue to support a patient thereon while service updates are being installed. In one implementation, the wireless side channel uses WiFi Direct communications and while the network communications are WiFi communications.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus may include a mattress configured to receive a fluid from a pneumatic system, a graphical user interface, and a controller configured to control the pneumatic system and to communicate with the graphical user interface. The controller may control the graphical user interface to selectively display a home screen comprising a plurality of icons, the icons comprising a mattress function menu icon and a mattress function screen accessible via the mattress function menu icon. The mattress function screen may include at least one control input configured to activate a first state and a second state of the controller.

Abstract: According to the present disclosure, devices, systems, and methods for locating, tracking, and conducting communications between care devices and networks of care facilities through local communications hubs.

Abstract: A patient support system includes a frame assembly and a support surface system configured to support a person thereon. The support surface system includes a surface assembly including a spacer material and a thermoelectric device and a control assembly including a blower and a power source. A tether is coupled to the control assembly and the surface assembly. The tether includes an airflow channel and an electrical connection. A controller is communicatively coupled to the support surface system. The controller is configured to selectively activate a blower to direct air through the airflow channel and through the spacer material to form a microclimate management layer in the surface assembly and selectively activate a power source to drive a current through the thermoelectric device for temperature regulation.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus, such as a hospital bed, includes an alert light assembly or an alert light module having separate zones that are individually illuminated to convey information regarding respective alert conditions. The zones each have indicia related to a particular condition of the patient support apparatus. The illuminated zones are each sufficiently large so as to be seen from afar, such as on the order of ten feet or more. Alternatively or additionally, the alert light assembly provides a lighted floor projection to indicate detection of an alert condition.

Abstract: Various systems, devices, and methods for predicting and identifying root causes of pressure injuries in a clinical environment are described. An example method includes identifying, based on an electronic medical record (EMR) of a patient, that the patient has an injury; receiving, from one or more sensors, sensor data indicating one or more parameters of the patient; determining, based on the sensor data, at least one root cause of the injury; and transmitting, to an external computing device, a report indicating the at least one root cause of the injury.

Abstract: A dual-wheel steerable motorized caster has internal motors that are operated at different speeds to swivel a pair of wheels about a caster swivel axis. The motors are operated at the same speed to propel an apparatus to which the dual-wheel steerable motorized caster is coupled along an underlying surface such as a floor in a drive direction without swiveling the pair of wheels about the caster swivel axis. A patient support apparatus has one or more of such dual-wheel steerable motorized casters.

Abstract: A hose connector assembly includes a connector housing that defines an interface opening and a hose receiver. A latch is operably coupled with the connector housing and is spring-biased to a latched position. A first hose is configured to engage with the hose receiver and supplies fluid to a patient support interface. A second hose is configured to engage with the hose receiver and is smaller in diameter than the first hose. A data line is configured to engage a data interface of the patient support apparatus. A bottom cover extends over the first and second hoses and a portion of the hose receiver and a top cover extends over the bottom cover and at least partially conceals the latch. Fluid is configured to pass through the first and second hoses into the connector housing in a substantially linear direction thereby minimizing noise and fluid loss of the connector assembly.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to patient support systems, such as hospital beds, and particularly to reconfigurable patient support systems movable among a number of different positions. The present disclosure further relates to control algorithms and interfaces for use in patient support systems.

Abstract: A system for providing alarm triggered communications is described. The system receives a notification regarding an alarm condition, and opens a communications channel based on the alarm condition. The communications channel joins together communications badges worn by caregivers in a clinical care environment. The system closes the communications channel when the alarm condition is resolved.

Abstract: An apparatus, method for the apparatus, and system for using the apparatus that comprises an air bladder formed of a baffle assembly with a plurality of equal-length flaps secured to the inside of an impermeable flexible outer layer and having a port secured to the outer layer to allow air to flow into and out of the air bladder, such that when the air bladder is inflated, the baffle assembly supports the shape of the air bladder.

Abstract: A circuit for interconnecting a first controller area network (CAN) bus with a second CAN bus includes a first CAN transceiver, a second CAN transceiver, and a pair of transistors and six resistors electrically interconnecting the first and second CAN transceivers. The first CAN bus is included in a first device, such a bed to support a person or occupant, and the second CAN bus is included in a second device, such as a mattress supported by the bed. The circuit for interconnecting the first and second CAN busses is situated in an interior region of the mattress.