Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes a first transceiver adapted to wirelessly communicate with a second transceiver of a headwall interface that is positioned off of the patient support apparatus. A communication link is automatically established between the first and second transceivers without requiring a user of the patient support apparatus to activate a designated control and without requiring the user to identify the headwall interface. The first transceiver includes a unique identifier assigned to the headwall interface in its messages to the headwall interface. The first transceiver may also automatically transmit a disconnect signal to the headwall interface indicating the termination of the communication link is not accidental. The disconnect signal is sent based on one or more of the following: (1) a brake being off, (2) an A/C power cord being unplugged; and/or (3) a signal strength between the transceivers decreasing.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes a first transceiver adapted to wirelessly communicate with a second transceiver of a headwall interface that is positioned off of the patient support apparatus. A communication link is automatically established between the first and second transceivers without requiring a user of the patient support apparatus to activate a designated control and without requiring the user to identify the headwall interface. The first transceiver includes a unique identifier assigned to the headwall interface in its messages to the headwall interface. The first transceiver may also automatically transmit a disconnect signal to the headwall interface indicating the termination of the communication link is not accidental. The disconnect signal is sent based on one or more of the following: (1) a brake being off, (2) an A/C power cord being unplugged; and/or (3) a signal strength between the transceivers decreasing.

Abstract: A system and method to detect an unauthorized device coupled to an interface of a control system for a patient support apparatus. The interface may be wired or wireless, and the system and method may involve determining an operating signature of a device coupled to an interface. Based on the operating signature being consistent with a device signature stored in memory, the system may determine the device coupled to the interface is an authorized device.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes a frame, patient support surface, memory having a first key stored therein, a transceiver, and a controller. The transceiver wirelessly communicates with a medical device over a first mesh network using the first key. The controller transmits a request message over the first mesh network to the medical device via the transceiver. The request message includes an identifier identifying the patient support apparatus and a request to join a second mesh network different from the first mesh network. The controller receives a second key input over the first mesh network, uses the second key input to generate a second key, and to use the second key to communicate over the second mesh network. In some instances, the second key input originates from a cloud-based server storing a list of authorized devices for a particular healthcare facility.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes a frame, support surface, first and second wireless transceivers, a room control, and a controller. The first transceiver communicates with a headwall module and the second transceiver communicates with a local area network. The room control controls a feature of a room device. The controller transmits a room control signal to the headwall module via the first transceiver in response to a user activating the room control on the patient support apparatus, and receives a room control command from an off-board source via the second wireless transceiver. The controller also transmits the room control signal to the headwall module via the first transceiver in response to receiving the room control command. The headwall module forwards the room control signal to the room device, thereby allowing the room device to be controlled both by the room control and by the off-board source.

Abstract: A wireless communication system for exchanging messages between a patient support apparatus and a headwall unit includes intelligence built into either or both of these devices (and/or a server) for detecting when a mismatch occurs between the communication capabilities of the patient support apparatus and those of the headwall unit. A warning is issued in those situations where a caregiver is relying on communication abilities that are not present in one or both of the devices. Examples of such situations include, but are not limited to, a nurse call cable not being coupled between the patient support apparatus and the nurse call system when the patient support apparatus does not have the capability to wirelessly communicate with the nurse call system. Alternatively, or additionally, the headwall unit may issue an alert to a nurse call system if it detects one or more conditions that warrant immediate caregiver attention.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes a first transceiver adapted to wirelessly communicate with a second transceiver of a headwall interface that is positioned off of the patient support apparatus. A communication link is automatically established between the first and second transceivers without requiring a user of the patient support apparatus to activate a designated control and without requiring the user to identify the headwall interface. The first transceiver includes a unique identifier assigned to the headwall interface in its messages to the headwall interface. The first transceiver may also automatically transmit a disconnect signal to the headwall interface indicating the termination of the communication link is not accidental. The disconnect signal is sent based on one or more of the following: (1) a brake being off, (2) an A/C power cord being unplugged; and/or (3) a signal strength between the transceivers decreasing.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes a frame, a patient support surface, and a nurse call cable interface adapted to communicatively couple to a wall-mounted nurse call outlet having a plurality of pins to thereby allow the patient to communicate with a remotely positioned nurse. One or more sensors are included that detect when the cable is plugged into the nurse call outlet and/or when the bed is communicatively coupled to the nurse call system. The controller may activate an indicator when the sensor detects that the bed is not coupled to the nurse call system outlet, automatically select whether to communicate with the nurse call system via a wireless transceiver or via the nurse call cable interface based on the sensor output, and/or inform the caregiver when a headwall module spaced from the bed is not communicatively coupled to the nurse call system outlet.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes a frame, patient support surface, memory having a first key stored therein, a transceiver, and a controller. The transceiver wirelessly communicates with a medical device over a first mesh network using the first key. The controller transmits a request message over the first mesh network to the medical device via the transceiver. The request message includes an identifier identifying the patient support apparatus and a request to join a second mesh network different from the first mesh network. The controller receives a second key input over the first mesh network, uses the second key input to generate a second key, and to use the second key to communicate over the second mesh network. In some instances, the second key input originates from a cloud-based server storing a list of authorized devices for a particular healthcare facility.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes a first transceiver adapted to wirelessly communicate with a second transceiver of a headwall interface that is positioned off of the patient support apparatus. A communication link is automatically established between the first and second transceivers without requiring a user of the patient support apparatus to activate a designated control and without requiring the user to identify the headwall interface. The first transceiver includes a unique identifier assigned to the headwall interface in its messages to the headwall interface. The first transceiver may also automatically transmit a disconnect signal to the headwall interface indicating the termination of the communication link is not accidental. The disconnect signal is sent based on one or more of the following: (1) a brake being off, (2) an A/C power cord being unplugged; and/or (3) a signal strength between the transceivers decreasing.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes a frame, a support surface for supporting a patient, and a nurse call interface adapted to provide an interface between a bed and a wall-mounted nurse call outlet having a plurality of pins to thereby allow a patient supported on the bed to communicate with a remotely positioned nurse. The nurse call interface coordinates the duplex signals of the bed's microphone and speaker with the half duplex nurse audio signals from the nurse call system. More particularly, the interface includes a nurse call audio channel communicatively coupled to first and second audio pins of the plurality of pins of the nurse call outlet, a bed microphone channel to a bed microphone, a bed speaker channel to a bed speaker, and a switch controller adapted to selectively connect the nurse call audio channel to the bed microphone channel or to the bed speaker channel.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes a first transceiver adapted to wirelessly communicate with a second transceiver of a headwall interface that is positioned off of the patient support apparatus. A communication link is automatically established between the first and second transceivers without requiring a user of the patient support apparatus to activate a designated control and without requiring the user to identify the headwall interface. The first transceiver includes a unique identifier assigned to the headwall interface in its messages to the headwall interface. The first transceiver may also automatically transmit a disconnect signal to the headwall interface indicating the termination of the communication link is not accidental. The disconnect signal is sent based on one or more of the following: (1) a brake being off, (2) an A/C power cord being unplugged; and/or (3) a signal strength between the transceivers decreasing.

Abstract: A system for automatically detecting medical devices positioned within a room of a healthcare facility includes a patient support apparatus, a headwall unit, and a controller. The patient support apparatus includes at least first and second transceivers and the headwall unit includes at least third and fourth transceivers. At least one of the first and second transceiver and at least one of the third and fourth transceivers are controller to determine first and second estimates of distance between the respective transceiver and a medical device. The controller uses the first and second estimates of distance to determine if the medical device is positioned within a threshold distance of the patient support apparatus and/or within a predetermined volume of space within the room. The transceivers used to determine the first and second estimates of distance may be Bluetooth Low Energy transceivers and/or ultra-wideband transceivers.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes a frame, patient support surface, memory having a first key stored therein, a transceiver, and a controller. The transceiver wirelessly communicates with a medical device over a first mesh network using the first key. The controller transmits a request message over the first mesh network to the medical device via the transceiver. The request message includes an identifier identifying the patient support apparatus and a request to join a second mesh network different from the first mesh network. The controller receives a second key input over the first mesh network, uses the second key input to generate a second key, and to use the second key to communicate over the second mesh network. In some instances, the second key input originates from a cloud-based server storing a list of authorized devices for a particular healthcare facility.

Abstract: A stationary communication unit is adapted to be mounted to a headwall of a healthcare facility and enable wireless communication between a patient support apparatus and a nurse call system. The unit also performs one or more additional functions, such as, but not limited to: determining when a healthcare worker enters/exits the room; determining when the patient support apparatus exits/enters the room; storing/retrieving medical device data associated with a patient; directing medical device data to one or more displays in the room; auto-updating, auto-retrieving, and/or auto-displaying data upon healthcare worker entry into the room; auto-muting room sounds during nurse-patient communication; and auto-directing a healthcare workers electronic device to data associated with the patient in that room. In alternative embodiments, one or more of these additional functions are incorporated into a patient support apparatus.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes a frame, a support surface for supporting a patient, and a nurse call interface adapted to provide an interface between a bed and a wall-mounted nurse call outlet having a plurality of pins to thereby allow a patient supported on the bed to communicate with a remotely positioned nurse. The nurse call interface coordinates the duplex signals of the bed's microphone and speaker with the half duplex nurse audio signals from the nurse call system. More particularly, the interface includes a nurse call audio channel communicatively coupled to first and second audio pins of the plurality of pins of the nurse call outlet, a bed microphone channel to a bed microphone, a bed speaker channel to a bed speaker, and a switch controller adapted to selectively connect the nurse call audio channel to the bed microphone channel or to the bed speaker channel.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes a frame, a support surface for supporting a patient, and a nurse call interface adapted to provide an interface between a bed and a wall-mounted nurse call outlet having a plurality of pins to thereby allow a patient supported on the bed to communicate with a remotely positioned nurse. The nurse call interface coordinates the duplex signals of the bed's microphone and speaker with the half duplex nurse audio signals from the nurse call system. More particularly, the interface includes a nurse call audio channel communicatively coupled to first and second audio pins of the plurality of pins of the nurse call outlet, a bed microphone channel to a bed microphone, a bed speaker channel to a bed speaker, and a switch controller adapted to selectively connect the nurse call audio channel to the bed microphone channel or to the bed speaker channel.

Abstract: A stationary communication unit is adapted to be mounted to a headwall of a healthcare facility and enable wireless communication between a patient support apparatus and a nurse call system. The unit also performs one or more additional functions, such as, but not limited to: determining when a healthcare worker enters/exits the room; determining when the patient support apparatus exits/enters the room; storing/retrieving medical device data associated with a patient; directing medical device data to one or more displays in the room; auto-updating, auto-retrieving, and/or auto-displaying data upon healthcare worker entry into the room; auto-muting room sounds during nurse-patient communication; and auto-directing a healthcare workers electronic device to data associated with the patient in that room. In alternative embodiments, one or more of these additional functions are incorporated into a patient support apparatus.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes a first transceiver adapted to wirelessly communicate with a second transceiver of a headwall interface that is positioned off of the patient support apparatus. A communication link is automatically established between the first and second transceivers without requiring a user of the patient support apparatus to activate a designated control and without requiring the user to identify the headwall interface. The first transceiver includes a unique identifier assigned to the headwall interface in its messages to the headwall interface. The first transceiver may also automatically transmit a disconnect signal to the headwall interface indicating the termination of the communication link is not accidental. The disconnect signal is sent based on one or more of the following: (1) a brake being off, (2) an A/C power cord being unplugged; and/or (3) a signal strength between the transceivers decreasing.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes a support surface; first, second, and third wireless transceivers; and a controller. The first and second transceivers are adapted to wirelessly communicate with a stationary unit mounted in a room of a healthcare facility. The third transceiver is adapted to wirelessly communicate with a local area network of the healthcare facility. The controller is adapted to pair the first transceiver and the stationary unit by sending a pairing key to the stationary unit via the second transceiver; to transmit audio signals via the first transceiver if the first transceiver and the stationary unit are successfully paired; and to transmit an alert to the local area network via the third transceiver if the first transceiver and the stationary unit are not successfully paired.