Abstract: A communication and asset locating and tracking system is provided by a wireless high resolution locating and tracting system having a plurality of receivers that are located in different locations in a facility, such as floors, rooms, corridors, common areas and portions thereof within the facility, the locating system is linked to a wireless communication system having a plurality of access points and voice-activated handfree communicators. By issuing a voice command to the communicator, the location of an asset is determined by the asset location system.

Abstract: A method and system for remote diagnostic monitoring of a healthcare device, for example, a patient support system. The system includes a communication device configured to transmit sensor data received from a sensor system coupled to the patient support system and configured to generate sensor data relating to diagnostic information of the healthcare device. The communication device can also be configured to receive configuration data for configuring at least one of the healthcare device and the sensor system. The monitoring device is located geographically distant from the healthcare device, is coupled to the communication adapter by a datalink, for example, a telecommunication network, and is configured to receive the sensor data. The monitoring device is configured to determine, based on the received data, whether service or replacement of the healthcare device or a portion thereof is indicated.

Abstract: A caregiver communication system for a home environment provides remote alert condition setting and monitoring of a patient and patient support equipment. A patient communication portal located in the patient home environment may use an existing telecommunications infrastructure to communicate with a monitoring communication portal located in a geographically distant location, for example, in a hospital staffed with caregivers responsible for monitoring the in-home patient and equipment. The monitoring communication portal can be interfaced with existing nurse communication systems and/or a hospital network infrastructure to link the communication system with caregiver communication devices such as phones, intercoms, pagers, wireless handsets, badges, and the like.

Abstract: A wireless control system for use with a patient-support apparatus includes a first receiver located on the patient-support apparatus and a wireless hand-held controller configured to wirelessly communicate with the first receiver to control functions of the patient-support apparatus and/or functions of hospital room equipment. The wireless control system may also include a second receiver located apart from the patient-support apparatus. The wireless hand-held controller may be configured to wirelessly communicate with the second receiver to control functions of the hospital room equipment. Additionally, the wireless control system may include a docking station configured to receive and charge the wireless hand-held controller.

Abstract: A system that monitors various conditions of a plurality of hospital beds located in different rooms of a healthcare facility is provided. Alternatively or additionally, other types of equipment may be monitored by the system. Various configurations of network interface units that are coupleable to or integrated into a hospital bed are also disclosed. The system receives data from the hospital beds and/or other equipment and initiates a communication to a wireless communication device of at least one designated caregiver in response to the received data being indicative of an alarm condition.

Abstract: A hospital bed obstacle detection device (412) and related method for detecting an obstacle between first and second components (24, 26) of a hospital bed (410).

Abstract: A system for a facility including a server coupled to a database, a plurality of tags coupled to a plurality of assets, each tag being configured to transmit a tag ID that is uniquely associated in the database with data describing the asset, a plurality of first transceivers for receiving tag IDs and transmitting the tag IDs and a transceiver ID to the server, which is configured to update the database with location information for the asset to indicate that the asset is adjacent the transceiver, and a plurality of portable client devices configured to wirelessly transmit to the server a client device ID that is uniquely associated in the database with a user of the client device, whereby, in response to receipt of the client device ID, the server is configured to update the database with location information for the user to indicate a location of the user.