Apparatus and method for upgrading a hospital room
A mobile care cart adapted to carry a battery and a fluid supply has a first display to provide battery-related information and a second display to provide fluid supply-related information. The battery may be coupled to patient care equipment located on the cart. The first display may indicate the status of the battery charge level. The cart may include a fluid port located on the cart and coupled to a fluid supply. The second display may indicate if the fluid supply is below a predetermined level. The first and second displays may be located on an upwardly-facing top wall of the cart.
This is a continuation in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/792,881, filed Jan. 31, 1997, which is incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to an apparatus and method to facilitate upgrading of a standard, general care hospital room to a critical room. More particularly, the present invention relates to an improved apparatus and method for providing seamless critical care services to a patient in a hospital room and during transport of the patient within the hospital.
Recent trends have caused cost reducing pressures on hospitals. These cost pressures have driven traditional in-patient services to less expensive out-patient and home care settings. Therefore, hospitals tend to have smaller in-patient populations. Future in-patient populations are likely to be older and sicker patients with multiple complications. The population of intermediate care patients is also likely to increase while the med-surg hospital population is decreasing over time. Therefore, the in-patient hospital population has a higher level of acuity.
Hospitals will likely have fewer beds in the future. Reconstruction of hospital rooms for critical care services is very expensive. Typically, existing structures must be torn out and rebuilt with critical care capabilities.
It is known to provide a pivoting power column built within the room to provide life support services for critical care patients. These pivoting power columns, however, are not transportable and must be built within the particular hospital room. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,398,359; U.S. Pat. No. 5,377,371; U.S. Pat. No. 5,284,255; U.S. Pat. No. 5,186,337; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,072,906.
Several problems face hospital administrators and planners. Facilities within inflexible architectural systems restrict the ability of institutions to upgrade services quickly and inexpensively. In addition, the process of transporting critical care patients creates adverse conditions and risks for staff and patients due to the inability to easily move and maintain power for the ventilator and/or IV pumps and transport monitor.
In order to adapt to changes for fewer but more acute patients, hospitals need the option for more responsive architectural systems and patient rooms that can be upgraded to critical care or downgraded to med-surg quickly and inexpensively. In order to accomplish these needs and to reduce the number of staff and time required to transport a critical care patient, hospitals need a mobile equipment system that can support and provide power, medical gases, and a communication interface to a ventilator, IV pumps and/or a patient monitor. The system must consume minimum space within a patient room, be able to fit substantially within the footprint of the patient bed during transport, and organize and manage lines connected to the patient.
The apparatus of the present invention provides a mobile care cart which mates with an architectural headwall or pivoting power column that allows a hospital to create a “general care” patient room that can be upgraded quickly and efficiently to a critical care room “upon demand” without remodeling the room. The apparatus of the present invention allows a general care “flexible” headwall or pivoting power column with services that can be upgraded or downgraded easily. In addition, the care cart supports critical care devices such as the ventilator, pumps, etc. at the bedside. The care cart can be coupled to the patient bed for manually transporting the patient. During the transport the mobile care cart provides uninterrupted power for critical care devices.
The care cart provides a platform for mounting primary critical care equipment. A ventilator is mounted on a movable, power assisted and adjustable shelf so that the ventilator can be positioned in an elevated position when the mobile care cart is used in the hospital room. When it is desired to transport the critically ill patient within the hospital, the mobile care cart is disconnected from the headwall or power column and connected to an end of the patient's hospital bed. An on-board power supply on the care cart supports the ventilator during transport. Pivoting IV poles on the care cart can swing into a nested position adjacent the bed for transport. During transport, the equipment shelf is lowered to a position below the bed.
While the critical care patient remains in the hospital room the mobile care cart integrates with and is nested with the headwall or power column. The care cart is connected to the main power supply of the room and the ventilator is connected to oxygen or air supplies in the headwall or power column in a conventional manner.
The mobile care cart of the present invention includes a base, a patient treating apparatus on the cart and a handle. The handle on the cart is pivotally coupled to pivot between a stored position and extended position. The handle is U-shaped and pivotally connected at its ends. Preferably, the handle includes extensions extending from the end of the U-shape and transverse to the plane of the U. The extension is pivotally mounted to the handle to the cart. The cart includes a recess in which the handle lies in the stored position. A stop connects the handle to the cart and limits the extended position. The stop, preferably, is a bracket having a first elongated slide and a pin riding in the slot. The bracket includes a second slot extending transverse to the first slot in which the pin rides to latch the handle in the extended position. This bracket is considered a second latch. A tab extends from the bracket to facilitate lifting of the bracket to move the pin from a second slot to the first slot for releasing the second latch.
A mobile cart according to the present invention has a base with wheels. At least one leg is pivotally mounted adjacent at one of its ends to the base and one of the wheels is mounted on the leg adjacent the second end of the leg. A driver coupled to the arm maintains the leg, in a first position. A spring biases the leg to the first position. The leg includes a shaft pivotally mounted to the base and the driver is coupled to the shaft. The driver is in the housing of the base. Preferably, the pivotal leg with the driver are provided as a pair of back legs adjacent the back of the base. A pair of front legs are fixedly mounted adjacent the front of the base at a first end and have wheels mounted at the second end of the front legs.
While the first position of the back extends backwards from the back of the base, the second position is substantially coplanar with the back of the base. The coplanar position allows the back of the base to be as close as possible to an object in the room or elevator in which the bed is located, for example, the wall. It also increases the stability of the cart when it is not connected to the bed so as to meet the requirements that will not turn over at 10° of tilt. In the first position where the back legs are not coplanar to the base, they decrease the transverse profile of the cart when attached to the bed. This is not detrimental since the bed has stability against the 10° tilt and also allows the cart and combination of the bed to get through doorways and into elevators.
The mobile cart of the present invention can be part of a power column which has electrical outlets, fluid ports and other patient treating accessories. The power column would have upper and lower separable sections. An arm would mount the upper section to the room. The lower section would be the mobile care cart which would include wheels and patient treating accessories on the lower section. The lower section of the mobile cart would provide patient treatment when the bed and the lower section are moved relative to the upper section. The upper section would include a recess in which a portion of the lower section would nest. Also, the lower section includes a recess for a portion of the upper section to nest. The lower section would move with the upper section independent of the bed when the lower section is not coupled to the bed by a latch. A second latch, or a press fit would connect the upper and lower section of the power column. The first and second sections separate when the lower section is coupled to the bed and moves the bed relative to the upper section to overcome the press fit. IV racks and patient monitors may be coupled to the lower section.
The mobile care cart includes a support coupled to the cart movable relative to the base between an elevated and a lowered position. Patient treating accessories are provided on the movable support. The support includes a port to be connected to one of the patient treating accessories movable with the support and a line connecting the port to the source on the cart. A take-up-reel on the cart engages the line to change the length of the line with the movement of the support. A drive couples the movement of the support to the spool. Preferably, the take-up-reel is on the movable support and engages the line to change the length of the line with the movement of the support. The line can be an electrical cord connected to a source of electricity on the cart or the line could be a tube connecting a fluid source on the court. This structure minimizes the entanglement damage and disconnection of the line during transport of the cart as well as adjustment of the support.
Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Referring now to the drawings,
When it is desired to upgrade the hospital room into a critical care room, a care cart 24 is moved into the room adjacent a bed 25. The care cart 24 includes a base 26 having casters 28. The front casters are on legs 27 fixed to the base 26. The rear casters 28 are lockable by separate brakes 29 and are on legs 31 pivotally connected to the base 26. A pair of IV poles 30 are pivotally mounted on the base 26 by arms 34. A pivotal lock equivalent to lock 19 may be provided. This allows the IV poles 30 to be pivoted from various use positions adjacent the side or front of the care cart 10 to behind the care cart. Preferably, the IV poles 30 are positioned between the rear wheels 28 during transport. This provides protection of the pump during transport and minimizes the width. The poles 30 include hooks 32 for hanging IV bags. IV pumps 36 may also be mounted on the poles 30.
Care cart 24 also includes an equipment support shelf 38 for supporting a full end ventilator 40 or other critical care equipment. Ventilator 40 may be secured to the shelf 38 by latching brackets (not shown). The support shelf 38 is movable from an elevated, in-room position illustrated in
A transport monitor 42 can also be mounted to care cart 24 during transport as illustrated in
The mobile care cart 24 further includes an air hose or line 44, an oxygen hose or line 46, and a standard power cord or line 50 as shown in
A vacuum pump for providing integral suction can be provided on the cart 24. A vacuum level adjustment controller, gauge, and connector are also included on the care cart 24 to provide suction on the cart 24 during transport.
Care cart 24 includes an upper series of electrical outlets 56 which are powered only when the care cart is plugged into the power column outlet 18. As shown in
In order to upgrade the hospital room to a critical care room, care cart 24 is moved into the position illustrated in
The care cart 24 is also used to transport the critical care patient within the hospital. For example, the care cart 24 is coupled to the hospital bed 25 as discussed below. Using the care cart 24 to transport the patient provides seamless care for the patient during transport to the radiology department or other diagnostic testing facility within the hospital.
When it is desired to transport the critical care patient, oxygen and air tanks 54 are loaded on to the care cart 24 as illustrated in
For transport, the equipment shelf 38 is lowered to the transport position illustrated in
Next, the care cart 24 is coupled to the bed using the latch mechanisms 58 shown in
The IV lines and vent circuits do not need to be disconnected from the patient prior to transport. The IV pumps 36 and ventilator 40 also do not need to be handled. This method maintains seamless, uninterrupted functioning of the life support to the patient.
The bed 25 and the care cart 24 are then transported as a unit as illustrated in
At the destination, the care cart 24 is coupled to medical gas and wall or tower electrical outlets to prevent depleting of the on-board gas tank 54 supplies and battery 52. A cross over valve allows the cart to be connected to the medical gas supply for a limited period of time with negligible leakage of gas from the tanks 54. The patient can then be transferred to a scanning table. The bed 25 can be removed from the care cart 24 and taken from the room. Therefore, the care cart 24 can remain adjacent the scanning table to continue to provide life support for the patient.
The original transport procedures are followed for the return trip to the room. Upon returning the patient to the room, the care cart 24 is plugged into the electrical outlets 18 and gas outlets 20 of the power column 10 as discussed above. The transport monitor 42 is removed. The care cart 24 is separated from the bed to permit the ventilator 40 on the shelf 38 to be moved to the elevated position of
The front legs 27 of base 26 are long enough to pass beyond casters of the hospital bed base and are separated wide enough to encompass the bed casters and still be within the foot print of the bed. For example, the front legs 27 extend at least 15.5 inches from the face 61 of the care cart 24. The center to center separation of the pivot point of the casters on the front legs 27 is approximately 37.5 inches for 5 inch casters 28.
The rear legs 31 include a shaft 62 pivotally mounted to base 26 as shown in
The rear push handle 74 is pivotally connected to the rear of the care cart 24 by brackets 78 and has a stored position as illustrated in
A stop or latch bracket 80 is connected between the handle 74 and a side wall of the care cart 24. The stop or latch bracket 80 is pivotally connected at 81 to the handle 74 on extension 75 and includes a first elongated slot 82 and a second elongated slot 83 transverse the first elongated slot 82. A pin is 84 mounted to the side wall of the care cart and rides in the elongated slots 82 and 83. The ends of the first elongated slot 82 forms a stop for the extended and stored position of the handle 74. The second elongated slot 83 forms a latch to latch the handle 74 in its extended position when the pin 84 rides up into elongated slot 83. A tab 86 extends from the stop or latch bracket 80 to reposition the pin 84 from the elongated slot 83 down into elongated slot 82. Thus, the handle 74 can then be raised to its stored position along slot 82.
Before power cord 50 of the care cart 24 is disconnected from outlets 18, the caregiver must check to determine whether the on-board battery 52 and the gas supply on care cart 24 are in proper working order. A power display panel 90 shown in
The first display 92 is a series of indicators which form a bar graft of the battery charge level. Each position may have a different shade or brightness. The display 92 may flash when the battery charge is low.
The operating status is indicated by indicators 94 which may be LED, an LCD or other display. An indicator 94 is only illuminated when a particular condition exists. Illustratively, the status conditions include lighting an indicator when a battery power is on. Lighting an indicator when no input power is detected or there is an overload. An indicator is lit when service is required. An audible alarm can also be provided.
The other land 72 includes a fluid supply indicator 96 as shown in
As illustrated in
Referring to
It should be noted in
The line 126 is shown connected to a manifold 130 on the back side of the cart which is connected to tank 54. The other line 128 may be connected to a different manifold and tank. For example, terminal 122 may provide oxygen and terminal 124 may provide hospital air. Lines 126 and 128 connected to ports 122 and 124 extend through slot 132 in the front face 61 of the cart. Although not shown, the electrical connections to the motor 108 would also extend through slot 132 in the face 61. As an alternative, the lines 126 and 128 for the ports and the lines for the motor may extend through slots in the face 61 adjacent a respective edge of the face 61.
If the length of lines 126 or 128 is relatively short with respect to its connection to its source, they may be connected directly to their source through the slot 132. If the source of one of the lines is far from the cart, or the amount of movement of the shelf 38 is of concern, take up reels 134 and 136 may be provided for the lines 126 and 128. The take up reels are connected to shaft 106 and are driven by the shaft to change the length of the line with the movement of the support equipment shelf 38. Thus, the reels 134 and 136 would play-out or lengthen the lines 126, 128 in one direction of rotation and shorten or reel-in the lines 126 and 128 in the opposite direction of rotation of shaft 106.
The placement of reels 134 and 136 may be any place along the shaft 106. If they are extremely thick, they would be place in the legs of the L of the cover 118. If they are placed closer to the edge, a pair of slits 132 may be provided adjacent the sides of the movable support 102.
The locator portion 16 of the power column 10 includes a front face 140 and bottom face 142 of the body 14 of the power column 10 as illustrated in
When the care cart 24 is nested with the power column 10, as illustrated in
The fit between the power column 10 and the cart 24 may be a loose fit, in which case, the combination are moved rearwardly by moving the cart 24 rearwardly or moving it forwardly by moving the column 10 forward. The side handle 76 of the cart aid moving the combination rearwardly. As an alternative, the fit between the power column 10 and the cart 24 at locator 16 may be a friction fit. The handle 74 in the stored position may engage the bottom face 142 and aid in achieving such a friction fit. When the care cart 24 is latched coupled to a bed, the movement of the bed with the latched cart is sufficient to overcome the friction fit.
As illustrated, the land 72 are substantially triangular forming a trapezoidal recess 70. The front face 144 and side faces 146 of the front portion of the body 14 of the power column also have a trapezoidal cross section which is to be received in the trapezoidal recess 70. It should also be noted that the back face 150 and the side faces 148 of the rear portion of the power column 10 also forms a trapezoidal cross section. The particular selections of the cross sections are purely aesthetic and any cross section may be used. Preferably, the cross section of the front face 144 and side faces 146 will be complementary to the cross-section of the recess 70 to provide proper nesting.
As an alternative, a latch may be provided to secure the cart 24 to the power column 10. Such a latch is illustrated in
When the post 162 intersects the recess 172 in link 168, it rotates the link 168 counter clockwise into the housing and allowing the post 162 to be guided into recess 160 of the housing 158. This force overcomes the force of the springs 176 and causes the links 170 and 168 to become unstable and snap into the closed position illustrated in
It should also be noted that a similar structure to latch 152 can be used in lieu of the latch 58 which latches the care cart 24 to the bed 25.
Although the present invention has been described and illustrated in detail, it is to be clearly understood that the same is by way of illustration and example only, and is not to be taken by way of limitation. The spirit and scope of the present invention are to be limited only by the terms of the appended claims.
Claims
1-33. (canceled)
34. An apparatus comprising a cart adapted to carry a battery and a fluid supply, the cart having a first display to provide battery-related information, and a second display to provide fluid supply-related information.
35. The apparatus of claim 34, comprising a patient treating accessory located on the cart, wherein the battery is configured to be coupled the patient treating accessory for supplying power thereto.
36. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the first display includes a first indicator configured to indicate the status of the battery charge level.
37. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein the first indicator is a series of indicators forming a bar graph to indicate the status of the battery charge level.
38. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein the first indicator flashes when the battery charge is low.
39. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein the first display includes a second indicator configured to indicate the operating status of the battery.
40. The apparatus of claim 39, wherein the second indicator is a series of indicators, each indicator representing a particular condition of the battery.
41. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein one of the indicators is lit when the battery power is on.
42. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein one of the indicators is lit when there is battery overload.
43. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein one of the indicators is lit when there is no battery output power.
44. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein one of the indicators is lit when service is required.
45. The apparatus of claim 34, comprising a fluid port located on the cart and coupled to the fluid supply.
46. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the second display includes an indicator configured to indicate if the fluid supply is below a predetermined level.
47. The apparatus of claim 46, wherein the indicator flashes when the fluid supply is below a predetermined level.
48. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the second display includes an audible alarm that sounds when the fluid supply is below a predetermined level.
49. The apparatus of claim 48, wherein the second display includes an actuator to silence the alarm.
50. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the fluid supply is an oxygen cylinder.
51. The apparatus of claim 46, wherein the fluid supply is an air cylinder.
52. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the cart includes an upwardly-facing top wall, and the displays are located on the upwardly-facing top wall.
53. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the cart is a mobile care cart.
54. An apparatus comprising a cart adapted to carry a battery, the cart having an upwardly-facing top wall and a display located on the upwardly-facing top wall to provide battery-related information.
55. An apparatus comprising a cart adapted to carry a fluid supply, the cart having an upwardly-facing top wall and a display located on the upwardly-facing top wall to provide fluid supply-related information.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 19, 2004
Publication Date: Jan 27, 2005
Inventors: Dennis Gallant (Harrison, OH), John Ruehl (Shelbyville, IN), John Gray (Great Falls, MT), Edward Catton (New Palestine, IN)
Application Number: 10/805,027