Patent ID: 9539155
Date: 2017-01-10
CPC Classifications: A61G,G06Q,G16H

Claim:
1. A system comprising a first patient support apparatus having at least one therapy device that is optionally and independently operational, the device being configured to be, when enabled for operation, capable of providing a distinct therapy to a patient supported on the patient support apparatus, the first patient support apparatus including (i) a control system operable to enable or disable operation of the therapy device under software control, and (ii) a user input device coupled to the control system, the user input device operational to receive a user input requesting enablement or disablement of the therapy device, wherein the control system is operable to communicate the request externally from the first patient support apparatus, and a server spaced apart from the first patient support apparatus, the server in communication with (a) the control system of the first patient support apparatus and (b) a computer device at a service provider, wherein the server is operable to receive the request for enablement or disablement of the therapy device from the control system of the first patient support apparatus, wherein the server is operable to transmit a received request for enablement or disablement of the therapy device to the computer device at the service provider, wherein the computer device is operable to process the request for enablement or disablement of the therapy device to determine whether the requested enablement or disablement of the therapy device is authorized, and to provide a signal to the server indicative of the permissibility of the request, wherein the server is operable to provide instructions to the control system to enable or disable the particular device of the first patient support apparatus, and wherein the server is operable to generate a bill for the enabled therapeutic device based the amount of time the therapeutic device is enabled.