Abstract: Patient support apparatuses include a frame, support surface, and a controller. The controller provides notification to a user of a service event relating to the patient support apparatus. The controller limits functionality of a component of the patient support apparatus based upon a severity of the service event. The controller may also, or alternatively, detect when a control is activated by a user and, in response to such activation, determine whether the patient support apparatus has been marked for use or marked for servicing. If marked for use, the controller responds in a first manner, and if marked for service, the controller responds in a different manner. In other embodiments, a method is provided for determining an order in which multiple patient support apparatuses should be service. In still other embodiments, the patient support apparatus automatically changes to an unusable configuration when in need of high priority service.

Abstract: A system and a method for managing patient therapy protocols are disclosed. The system includes a patient support apparatus for supporting a patient, a first input device for use by a first caregiver, a location system for determining a location of the first caregiver, and a therapy management system. The therapy management system receives a location of the first caregiver and a selection of a patient therapy protocol, which includes a location requirement. The therapy management system then determines whether the first caregiver location input signal satisfies the location requirement before initiating the selected patient therapy protocol or notifying a second caregiver if the location of the first caregiver does not satisfy the location requirement.

Abstract: A patient transport apparatus transports a patient over a floor surface. The patient transport apparatus comprises a support structure and support wheels coupled to the support structure. An auxiliary wheel is coupled to the support structure to influence motion of the patient transport apparatus over the floor surface to assist users. An actuator is operatively coupled to the auxiliary wheel and operable to move the auxiliary wheel relative to the support structure from a retracted position to a deployed position. A user interface sensor is operatively connected to the actuator and configured to generate signals responsive to the user touching the user interface. A controller is operatively coupled to the user interface sensor and the actuator to operate the actuator in response to detection of signals.

Abstract: A system and a method for managing patient therapy protocols are disclosed. The system includes a patient support apparatus for supporting a patient, a first input device for use by a first caregiver, a location system for determining a location of the first caregiver, and a therapy management system. The therapy management system receives a location of the first caregiver and a selection of a patient therapy protocol, which includes a location requirement. The therapy management system then determines whether the first caregiver location input signal satisfies the location requirement before initiating the selected patient therapy protocol or notifying the second caregiver if the location of the first caregiver does not satisfy the location requirement.

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 person support apparatus includes a first transceiver adapted to wirelessly communicate with a second transceiver of a headwall interface that is positioned off of the person support apparatus. A communication link is automatically established between the first and second transceivers without requiring a user of the person 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: Systems for facilitating movement of a patient transport apparatus are provided and include user input control device that includes a mode switch selectable between a longitudinal transport mode and a multidirectional mode and a driving assist device actuatable between at least one engaged state and a non-engaged state. The mode switch generates signals based on the selected mode and the driving assist device generates engaged or non-engaged signals which are received by a controller. The controller is configured to generate an output signal sent to a lift actuator, swivel actuator, and/or a powered drive system to assist a user in propelling the apparatus in a desired manner.

Abstract: A thermal control system for controlling a patient's temperature includes a thermal control unit and an off-board computing device. The thermal control unit includes a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, a pump, a heat exchanger, a display, one or more sensors, a transceiver, and a controller. The thermal control system employs one or more machine learning techniques to perform one or more of the following: automatically implement one or more user-preferred settings, automatically predict the occurrence of one or more events based on analyses of prior events, and/or automatically improve one or more algorithms based on analyses of additional sensor data. The machine learning techniques may be implemented onboard the thermal control unit and/or may be implemented at a remote computing device (e.g. a server) that collates and analyzes data from multiple thermal control units, and then sends the results of the analyses back to the thermal control units.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus for supporting a patient includes first, second, and third transceivers mounted at first, second, and third locations, respectively. A controller is adapted to use radio frequency communication between the first, second, and third transceivers and an infusion pump to determine a position of the infusion pump relative to the patient support apparatus. The controller, and/or a server in communication with the controller, is configured to double-check a dosage of medication being delivered via the infusion pump to the patient in order to help avoid incorrect dosing. The controller and/or server are adapted to automatically retrieve dosage information from the infusion pump, either directly or indirectly, and use the dosage information in combination with the patient's weight, as determined by a scale system on the patient support apparatus, to issue an alert if too high of a dosage is being administered to the patient.

Abstract: A medical device, such as a patient support apparatus or a thermal control unit, includes a plurality of mechanical components and a plurality of nodes adapted to communicate with each other over a local network onboard the medical device, and a gateway in communication with an off-board network. The gateway translates messages between the onboard and off-board networks, manages subscriptions to content of the local network, controls bidirectional communication, and otherwise oversees communications between the local and remote networks. The gateway utilizes a configuration file for managing the communications between the off-board and onboard networks, and the gateway is configured to switch to using new or modified configuration files without requiring a reboot or power cycle of the gateway. Updates to the communications between the onboard and off-board networks can therefore be implemented without any downtime and/or without requiring updates to software executables.

Abstract: A stationary communication unit is adapted to be mounted to a headwall of a healthcare facility and forward messages between a patient support apparatus and a nurse call system. The unit includes first and second transceivers. The first transceiver may use two different communication protocols and forward audio signals from a nurse call system to the patient support apparatus (and vice versa) using a first one of the communication protocols, and emit a beacon signal using the second communication protocol. The beacon signal is adapted to be detected by electronic devices positioned in the room. The second transceiver sends a first identifier to the patient support apparatus and the first transceiver sends a second identifier to any electronic devices positioned in the room. The communication unit may also forward sensor readings to the patient support apparatus and/or to a hospital network, either directly or via a mesh network.

Abstract: Systems for facilitating movement of a patient transport apparatus are provided and include user input control device that includes a mode switch selectable between a longitudinal transport mode and a multidirectional mode and a driving assist device actuatable between at least one engaged state and a non-engaged state. The mode switch generates signals based on the selected mode and the driving assist device generates engaged or non-engaged signals which are received by a controller. The controller is configured to generate an output signal sent to a lift actuator, swivel actuator, and/or a powered drive system to assist a user in propelling the apparatus in a desired manner.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus, such as a bed, cot, stretcher, etc., for supporting a patient includes an exit detection system with multiple user-selectable modes of operation that each have different sensitivity levels for triggering an exit alert. The exit detection system also includes one or more non-user selectable modes of operation that are automatically implemented in response to a triggering action. For example, a transition mode may be automatically implemented when the user attempts to switch from a first user-selectable mode to a different user selectable mode, or a motion mode may be automatically implemented when movement of one or more components of the patient support apparatus occurs. In the transition mode, the exit detection system may use a least restrictive sensitivity level. In the motion mode, the exit detection system may inhibit exit alerts and/or change the criteria for issuing the exit alert.

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 monitoring system includes one or more units that are adapted monitor the radio frequency conditions of a facility or portion of the facility. The units include a packet sniffer and/or an RF spectrum analyzer. Sniffed packets and spectrum data are recorded and made available for analysis and display, either locally on the units or at one or more remote locations. The locations of the units are also gathered, thereby enabling correlation of the sniffed packets and/or RF spectrum data with locations within the facility. Real time RF conditions can thereby be gathered and used to improve the wireless communications within the facility and/or to ensure the wireless communication infrastructure of the facility is operating satisfactorily. The units may be person support apparatuses, such as beds, chairs, stretchers, cots, or the like.

Abstract: A person support apparatus includes a first transceiver adapted to wirelessly communicate with a second transceiver of a headwall interface that is positioned off of the person support apparatus. A communication link is automatically established between the first and second transceivers without requiring a user of the person 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 includes a patient support apparatus and a plurality of location transceivers. One of more of the location transceivers are positioned onboard the patient support apparatus and one or more are positioned at fixed locations within the room. The onboard location transceivers determine their location with respect to the off-board location transceivers, or vice versa, and use this location information to determine the position of the tagged medical device with respect to a volume of space. If the tagged medical device is inside the volume of space, a controller may: (a) associate the tagged medical device with the patient support apparatus, a patient, a room identifier, and/or a room bay identifier; (b) allow the tagged medical device to join a communication network, and/or (c) forward data from the tagged medical device to a remotely positioned server.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus for removably retaining differently-sized portable electronic devices. The patient support apparatus comprises a base, a litter with a patient support deck for supporting the patient, and a side rail. The side rail is coupled to the litter and arranged for movement relative to the base. The side rail includes a caddy comprising a back, a first brace, and a second brace spaced from the first brace. The first brace extends laterally from the back and defines a first bottom support region. The second brace extends laterally from the back and defines a second bottom support region converging toward the first bottom support region to arrange the first and second bottom support regions to provide differing points of contact for retaining differently-sized portable electronic devices.

Abstract: A system and a method for remotely controlling a medical device based on image data are disclosed. The system includes a medical device, an image sensor, and a remote caregiver interface. The medical device includes a controller coupled to a communication network. The image sensor is coupled to the communication network and is configured to capture image data. The remote caregiver interface is coupled to the communication network and is configured to display the image data for viewing by a user, receive a selected remote control function from the user, and transmit an input signal corresponding to the selected remote control function to the controller of the medical device to execute the selected remote control function based on the input signal.