Abstract: A mattress assembly includes a mattress and an outer mattress shell that covers the mattress and has a patient support portion and a sleep deck portion. The outer mattress shell defines an interior surface and an exterior surface. A bonding strip is coupled to the interior surface of the outer mattress shell and a fastening strip is coupled to the exterior surface of the outer mattress shell. A weld extends through the exterior surface and through the interior surface of the outer mattress shell. A clasp locker is operably coupled to the fastening strip and detachably couples the patient support portion to the sleep deck portion of the outer mattress shell.

Abstract: A hospital bed includes a sleep deck having an upper portion, a middle portion, and a lower portion each defining a support surface and an underbody that defines a notch. An opening is defined by and extends through the upper portion. A space is defined between the upper portion and the middle portion. A mattress is disposed on the sleep deck. An outer mattress shell encases the mattress and includes a fold defined by a weld. A mattress retention assembly is coupled to the outer mattress shell. The mattress retention assembly includes at least one of a first magnet and a second magnet selectively coupling the mattress to the sleep deck, a portion of the mattress retention assembly extends between the outer mattress shell and the sleep deck, an affixing member disposed on the outer mattress shell, and a retention ridge extending through the sleep deck.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus tracking system includes at least one of a frame, mattress, and mattress cover. A radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag may be embedded within the at least one of the frame, mattress, and mattress cover. The RFID tag may include an identification memory unit including read-only sort-prefix data corresponding to the one of the frame, mattress, and mattress cover and a service memory unit comprising a read/write configuration including a greater amount of digital storage than the identification memory unit. The RFID tag may be configured to receive a log of configurable equipment updates into the service memory unit and communicate the sort-prefix from the identification memory unit and the log of equipment updates to a controller via a reader device.

Abstract: Support pad assemblies and person support apparatuses are disclosed. A person support apparatus includes a base frame, a longitudinal frame coupled to the base frame, and a support deck supported on the longitudinal frame. The longitudinal frame extends in a longitudinal direction and the support deck is adjustable from a planar configuration to a concave configuration or a convex configuration.

Abstract: A monitoring system for a patient fall risk protocol includes a support apparatus that includes a sensor configured to sense a position of a patient. A control unit is in communication with the sensor. The control unit is configured to monitor the position of the patient relative to a monitoring area on the support apparatus. The control unit is configured to determine a preliminary risk evaluation. A controller is in communication with the support apparatus. The controller is configured to receive the preliminary risk evaluation from the support apparatus and adjust a monitoring level of the monitoring area in response to the preliminary risk evaluation.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes a support surface including a topper. An opening is formed in a side of the support surface. A cavity extends from the opening into the support surface. An inlet port is positioned within the cavity and fluidly coupled to the topper. A pneumatic blower is configured to removably position within the cavity and has an outlet port that couples to the inlet port.

Abstract: A protective dressing includes an outer dressing and an adhesive layer. The outer dressing includes an opening and a cavity sized to receive a phase-change material (PCM) insert inserted through the opening. The adhesive layer is configured to adhere to a patient's skin surrounding an anatomic site. When adhered to the patient's skin, the PCM insert modifies the patient's skin at the anatomic site. The PCM insert may be removed and replaced with another PCM insert. For example, a warm PCM insert may be replaced with a refrigerated PCM insert. The opening of the outer dressing may be self-sealing. The opening of the outer dressing may be sealed with an upper layer dressing coupled to the PCM cooling insert.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus may include a support surface configured to conduct air along a top face of the support surface so that heat and moisture from a patient lying on the support surface are drawn away from the top face of the support surface. An opening may be formed in a side of the support surface. A cavity may extend from the opening into the support surface. An inlet port may be positioned within the cavity and fluidly coupled to the top face. A blower assembly may be configured to position within the cavity. The blower assembly may have an outlet port that couples to the inlet port when the blower assembly is positioned within the cavity. The blower assembly may conduct air through the inlet port to the top face of the support surface.

Abstract: An example method includes identifying at least one first parameter of a patient detected during a time interval and identifying a second parameter of the patient detected during the time interval. A position of the individual during the time interval is determined based on the second parameter. Based on determining that the position of the patient is substantially unchanged during the time interval, the example further includes transmitting data identifying the patient and indicating the at least one first parameter to an electronic medical record (EMR) system.

Abstract: A topper (38) for a bed extends in longitudinal and lateral directions and includes a fluid flowpath (60) for channeling fluid through the topper from an inlet (62) to an outlet (64). The flowpath is configured to distribute the fluid to a preferred target region (50) of the topper. A bed which includes the topper has a blower (72) connected to the topper inlet for supplying air (88) to the flowpath.

Abstract: A topper (38) for a bed extends in longitudinal and lateral directions and includes a fluid flowpath (60) for channeling fluid through the topper from an inlet (62) to an outlet (64). The flowpath is configured to distribute the fluid to a preferred target region (50) of the topper. A bed which includes the topper has a blower (72) connected to the topper inlet for supplying air (88) to the flowpath.

Abstract: One or more radar sensors can be used to monitor patients in a variety of different environments and embodiments. In one embodiment, radar sensors can be used to monitor a patient's movement, including movement in a patient bed and around a room. In another embodiment, a patient position can be monitored in a patient bed, which can be used as feedback for control of bladders of a patient bed. Additional embodiments are described herein.

Abstract: Support pad assemblies and person support apparatuses are disclosed. A person support apparatus includes a base frame, a longitudinal frame coupled to the base frame, and a support deck supported on the longitudinal frame. The longitudinal frame extends in a longitudinal direction and the support deck is adjustable from a planar configuration to a concave configuration or a convex configuration.

Abstract: A method of positioning an occupant (98) of a bed includes identifying (204) the presence of a discrepancy between an existing occupant position and a target occupant position, and establishing (206) an elevation gradient having a direction, magnitude and position compatible with moving the occupant from the existing occupant position to the target position. In one variant of the method the step of establishing an elevation gradient is one substep of a preordained sequence of bladder inflations and deflations. In another variant, the method includes determining (210) if the discrepancy has been corrected and responding to any noncorrection of the discrepancy.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus tracking system includes at least one of a frame, mattress, and mattress cover. A radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag may be embedded within the at least one of the frame, mattress, and mattress cover. The RFID tag may include an identification memory unit including read-only sort-prefix data corresponding to the one of the frame, mattress, and mattress cover and a service memory unit comprising a read/write configuration including a greater amount of digital storage than the identification memory unit. The RFID tag may be configured to receive a log of configurable equipment updates into the service memory unit and communicate the sort-prefix from the identification memory unit and the log of equipment updates to a controller via a reader device.

Abstract: Support pad assemblies and person support apparatuses are disclosed. A person support apparatus includes a base frame, a longitudinal frame coupled to the base frame, and a support deck supported on the longitudinal frame. The longitudinal frame extends in a longitudinal direction and the support deck is adjustable from a planar configuration to a concave configuration or a convex configuration.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus may include a mattress configured to receive a fluid from a pneumatic system, a graphical user interface, and a controller configured to control the pneumatic system and to communicate with the graphical user interface. The controller may control the graphical user interface to selectively display a home screen comprising a plurality of icons, the icons comprising a mattress function menu icon and a mattress function screen accessible via the mattress function menu icon. The mattress function screen may include at least one control input configured to activate a first state and a second state of the controller.

Abstract: A hospital bed includes a sleep deck having an upper portion, a middle portion, and a lower portion each defining a support surface and an underbody that defines a notch. An opening is defined by and extends through the upper portion. A space is defined between the upper portion and the middle portion. A mattress is disposed on the sleep deck. An outer mattress shell encases the mattress and includes a fold defined by a weld. A mattress retention assembly is coupled to the outer mattress shell. The mattress retention assembly includes at least one of a first magnet and a second magnet selectively coupling the mattress to the sleep deck, a portion of the mattress retention assembly extends between the outer mattress shell and the sleep deck, an affixing member disposed on the outer mattress shell, and a retention ridge extending through the sleep deck.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for withdrawing heat from a surface for supporting a person including determining a vasoconstriction threshold for the person and operating the apparatus to maintain the rate of heat withdrawal below the vasoconstriction threshold for the patient.

Abstract: A topper (38) for a bed extends in longitudinal and lateral directions and includes a fluid flowpath (60) for channeling fluid through the topper from an inlet (62) to an outlet (64). The flowpath is configured to distribute the fluid to a preferred target region (50) of the topper. A bed which includes the topper has a blower (72) connected to the topper inlet for supplying air (88) to the flowpath.