Abstract: A patient support apparatus, such as a bed, cot, stretcher, etc., includes a control panel having a touchscreen display adapted to display a plurality of screens thereon. A controller automatically displays a lock screen on the display after a period of non-use and prevents the user from navigating to a different screen until the user drags a slider icon across the display and thereafter continues to press down on the slider icon for a predetermined time period. The controller may alternatively, or additionally, be adapted to display a litter frame tilt angle on the lock screen. The controller may alternatively, or additionally, display a motion control screen that includes a first lock indicator when a first motion control is in a locked state, and that adds a second lock indicator when a user presses on the first motion control while it is in the locked state.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus, such as a bed, cot, stretcher, etc., includes a scale system adapted to automatically detect when an object is added to a support surface of the patient support apparatus. An onboard controller is configured to take one or more actions in response to the detection of the added object. Such actions include, but are not limited to, sending a message wirelessly to the object, capturing an image of the object with a camera, marking a segment of a video that encompasses the addition of the object, and/or determining if a change in a center of gravity caused by the addition of the object can be completely attributed to the object's addition, or if it is due to other factors, such as patient movement. A display may show a bed icon with an object icon positioned at the same location as the object.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus, such as a bed, cot, stretcher, etc., includes a scale system adapted to automatically monitor changes in a patient's weight over the course of a patient's stay within a healthcare facility. A controller onboard the patient support apparatus is configured to take an initial weight reading of the patient when he or she is first assigned to the patient support apparatus, and to thereafter repetitively compare the patient's current weight to that initial weight reading. If the difference exceeds a threshold, the controller issues a notification. The threshold may be user-customizable and/or it may be adaptive based on s statistical analysis of the patient's weight fluctuations. A control panel may be included to allow a caregiver to select between using a non-adaptive threshold or an adaptive threshold, and/or to select a value for the non-adaptive threshold. The notification may be transmitted to the caregiver's smart phone.