Abstract: A patient support apparatus, such as a bed, cot, stretcher, etc., for a supporting a patient includes an exit detection system adapted to issue an alert when the patient exits from the patient support apparatus. When the exit detection system is armed, a controller onboard the patient support apparatus repetitively determines a current weight supported thereon, selects a variable threshold, compares the current weight to the variable threshold, and issues an exit alert if the current weight is less than the variable threshold. The variable threshold may be selected based on the output of a sensor, which in turn may measure a height of a litter frame of the patient support apparatus and/or the activation of an equipment log control on the patient support apparatus. The controller may be configured to determine a baseline weight reading and to select the variable threshold as a percentage of the baseline weight reading.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes a frame, a support surface, a caregiver control panel, a patient control panel, and a controller. The caregiver control panel includes a lock out control that, when manually activated by a caregiver, locks out one or more particular controls on the patient control panel. The controller is also adapted to automatically lock out the one or more particular controls, irrespective of the state of the lock out control, in response to a triggering event. The triggering event may include one or more of the following: the arming of an exit detection system, the arming of a monitoring system, the passage of a predetermined time period, the use of a scale, the zeroing of the scale, the receipt of a fall risk score for the patient, etc. The caregiver control panel may allow the caregiver to select what patient controls are automatically locked out.

Abstract: A system includes a server and a patient support apparatus having a support surface, a plurality of ultra-wideband transceivers, and a controller. The controller is adapted to use the ultra-wideband transceivers to automatically determine a position of a badge and/or tag relative to the patient support apparatus and to use the position information of the badge and/or tag to automatically perform one or more of the following: display a cleaning screen used by cleaning workers; determine if the patient support apparatus is ready to be, or already has been, cleaned; identify and record an identity of the worker who cleaned the patient support apparatus; determine a closest transport worker; and/or update an equipment weight log maintained by the patient support apparatus. The badge(s) may be worn by a healthcare worker and the tag(s) may be coupled to an object or worn by the patient.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes a plurality of ultra-wideband transceivers, a display, a controller, and a near field transceiver. The controller is adapted to automatically associate an object with the patient support apparatus when the object is positioned within communication range of the near field transceiver; to use radio frequency (RF) communication between the plurality of ultra-wideband transceivers and the object to determine a position of the object relative to the patient support apparatus; to determine if the object is positioned inside or outside of a volume of space; to automatically disassociate the object from the patient support apparatus if the object is outside the volume of space; to forward and/or display data from the object if it is associated; and to not forward and/or display data if it is disassociated. The object may be a nurse call device, an exit detection sensor, a second patient support apparatus, etc.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes a patient support surface, a plurality of ultra-wideband transceivers, and a controller. The controller is adapted to perform the following: use the ultra-wideband transceivers to automatically determine a position of the badge relative to the patient support apparatus, to receive a badge identifier from the badge; determine if the badge is positioned inside or outside of a volume of space; and, if the badge is positioned inside the volume of space, transmit the badge identifier to a server using the network transceiver. The controller and/or server may also, or alternatively, determine an identity of the user associated with the badge, determine an identity of the patient, automatically transmit at least a portion of a care plan to the patient support apparatus, record data indicating who implemented one or more functions on the patient support apparatus, and/or forward a message to a nearest badge.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus is disclosed that includes a support structure including a patient support deck defining a patient support surface, a charging interface, a sensor system coupled to the support structure, and a controller disposed in communication with the sensor system. The charging interface is operable between a first charge state for charging portable electronic devices where the charging interface generates an electromagnetic field and a second charge state where the charging interface at least partially limits generation of the electromagnetic field. The sensor system generates data representing changes in patient position on the support structure relative to a patient safety zone defined spaced from the charging interface. The controller is configured to change operation of the charging interface in response to the data generated by the sensor system indicating a sensed patient position outside the patient safety zone to at least partially reduce the electromagnetic field.

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 a first device—such as a display device, a fixed locator, and/or a vital sign sensor—to determine a position of the first device relative to the patient support apparatus. The controller is further adapted to send data to a display device if the first device is positioned inside a predetermined volume of space, and to not send the data to the display device if the first device is positioned outside of the predetermined volume of space. The patient support apparatus may also selectively accept and communicate with a removable cartridge that includes a vital sign port adapted to receive a plug of a cable from a vital sign sensor.

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 a first device—such as a patient temperature management device—to determine a position of the first device relative to the patient support apparatus. The controller is further adapted to use data from one or more other devices to determine whether or not to associate the first device with the patient support apparatus. In some aspects, the controller uses the position and/or identity of one or more thermal pads and/or hoses to determine if the first device is to be associated with the patient support apparatus. Such association refers to the conclusion that the patient support apparatus and the first device are both being used with the same patient.

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, such as a bed, a cot, a stretcher, or the like, for supporting an occupant includes sensors adapted to detect a status of the patient support, such as the width of the width-adjustable patient support component or the locked or unlocked state of the patient support component. A control system for the patient support is configured to determine if the patient support is in an unacceptable status, such as an unacceptable width configuration or an unlocked state, based on the sensed status. The control system is adapted to issue an alert or take action or prompt a caregiver to take an action if the patient support status is unacceptable.

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 for supporting a patient communicates wirelessly with one or more devices and determines the relative position of the device(s) with respect to the patient support apparatus. A control system onboard the patient support apparatus receives identification data from the device(s) and uses the identification data to perform an authentication analysis of the device. Based on the authentication analysis, the control system determines an authorization level for the device and transmits different types of data to the device based on the authorization level. A plurality of locator nodes may be included on the patient support apparatus that are linked together by an embedded network. Synchronization messages are passed between the locator nodes over the embedded network to ensure the locator nodes have synchronized time. The authentication analysis and/or the use of encrypted communications may be based on the identity of the device and/or its location.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus for supporting a patient is adapted to wirelessly communicate with one or more wall units. A controller onboard the patient support apparatus and/or a controller onboard the wall unit is adapted to use RF signals to determine a distance between the wall unit and the patient support apparatus. In some embodiments, the wall unit and/or patient support apparatus include an orientation sensor adapted to determine the geographic orientation of the wall unit and/or patient support apparatus. The patient support apparatus controller may use the geographic orientation information to determine if the wall unit is facing toward the patient support apparatus or not. The patient support apparatus may communicate with multiple wall units concurrently, and/or the wall unit may communicate with multiple patient support apparatuses concurrently.

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.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus for supporting a patient includes a plurality of pseudo-anchors that are used to determine relative position estimates with respect to an anchor affixed at a known location to a wall of a healthcare facility. From these position estimates and the knowledge of the location of the pseudo-anchors on the body of the patient support apparatus, the position and/or orientation of the patient support apparatus is determined. The pseudo-anchors may also determine the relative location of a mobile medical device with respect to the patient support apparatus. If the medical device is closely positioned to the patient support apparatus, the patient support apparatus associates the medical device with the patient support apparatus and transmits data to a server indicating the association. The medical device may include a location module and a data collection module that transmit information to the patient support apparatus for forwarding to the server.

Abstract: A patient support, such as a bed, a cot, a stretcher, or the like, for supporting an occupant includes sensors adapted to detect a status of the patient support, such as the width of the width-adjustable patient support component or the locked or unlocked state of the patient support component. A control system for the patient support is configured to determine if the patient support is in an unacceptable status, such as an unacceptable width configuration or an unlocked state, based on the sensed status. The control system is adapted to issue an alert or take action or prompt a caregiver to take an action if the patient support status is unacceptable.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes a support surface adapted to support a person, a display, a plurality of controls, a memory, and a controller. The controller is adapted to collect a batch of data regarding the operation of the patient support apparatus, to store the batch of data in the memory, to update the contents of the batch of data during usage of the patient support apparatus, and to display a coded image on the display in response to activation of a particular control. The coded image, which may be a QR code, encodes the batch of data. The encoded data may include sensor readings, diagnostic data, fault data, a serial number, and/or other data. The controller may also, or alternatively, display (either permanently or semi-permanently) the ward, department, floor, or another identifier (e.g. radiology, maternity, etc.) to which the patient support apparatus is assigned for a particular healthcare facility.

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 system for providing customized user menus. The system comprises a patient support apparatus, a user interface configured to receive input from a user, and a display configured to display user menus or information. The user menus may comprise indicia representative of the operational functions of the patient support apparatus. A controller determines the customized user menu based on usage characteristics, a position of the user interface in proximity to the patient support apparatus, a location of the user interface within a facility, an identification of the user, and/or a patient condition. A touchscreen and/or a mobile device may comprise the user interface and the display. The mobile device may be removably coupled to the patient support apparatus. Methods for improving patient care by providing the customized user menu are also disclosed.

Abstract: A patient support system for providing customized user menus. The system comprises a patient support apparatus, a user interface configured to receive input from a user, and a display configured to display user menus or information. The user menus may comprise indicia representative of the operational functions of the patient support apparatus. A controller determines the customized user menu based on usage characteristics, a position of the user interface in proximity to the patient support apparatus, a location of the user interface within a facility, an identification of the user, and/or a patient condition. A touchscreen and/or a mobile device may comprise the user interface and the display. The mobile device may be removably coupled to the patient support apparatus. Methods for improving patient care by providing the customized user menu are also disclosed.