Emergent situation notification during transport of a patient support apparatus

A patient-support status system includes a patient support apparatus adapted to support a patient thereon. A user interface is coupled to the patient support apparatus to move therewith and configured to receive a user input associated with a status of the patient. A location-detection system is configured to provide location data associated with a location of the patient support apparatus in a healthcare facility. A communication unit is coupled to the patient support apparatus and configured to communicate the status and the location data to a remote computer in response to receipt of the user input.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to a patient support apparatus, and in particular, to a patient support apparatus configured to communicate information from the patient support apparatus to a remote system. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a notification system configured to receive a location of the patient support apparatus and information from the patient support apparatus and communicate the information and location to the remote system.

Healthcare facilities may include a call system which may be used to communicate caregiver need or patient status. Patients or caregivers place calls by pressing a caregiver call button located on the patient support apparatus, a handheld unit, or by actuating a wall mounted switch. Call systems are coupled to a stationary source of power (e.g., a wall electric socket) and a stationary data link (e.g., a network port) in order to function. In the example where the call system is located on the patient support apparatus, the call system loses functionality when the patient support apparatus is unplugged from electrical power and data connectivity. As a result, call systems are not available to caregivers or patients when the patient support apparatus is moved in the healthcare facility should an emergency occur.

In an emergency situation during transportation, the transporting caregiver must search for the nearest qualified caregiver to assist the patient in his/her current emergent state. In the case of an emergency call, the exact location of the patient may be unknown to the individuals responding and the systems that generate the alarm. This may lead to confusion and an extended response time by emergency responders.

SUMMARY

In a first aspect of the present disclosure, a patient-support status system includes a patient support apparatus adapted to support a patient thereon. A user interface is coupled to the patient support apparatus to move therewith and configured to receive a user input associated with a status of the patient. A location-detection system is configured to provide location data associated with a location of the patient support apparatus in a healthcare facility. A communication unit is coupled to the patient support apparatus and configured to communicate the status and the location data to a remote computer in response to receipt of the user input.

In some embodiments, a battery is coupled to the patient support apparatus and configured to power the user interface, location detection system, and communication unit. In some embodiments, the communication unit is configured to communicate patient identification information to the remote computer. In some embodiments, the communication unit communicates through a radio frequency (RF) transmission. In some embodiments, the communication unit communicates through an infrared (IR) transmission. In some embodiments, the communication unit communicates through a wireless transmission. In some embodiments, the user interface is located on a siderail of the patient support apparatus. In some embodiments, the communication unit is configured to communicate the status and the location data to the remote computer via a waypoint. In some embodiments, the communication unit is configured to receive alert data from the remote computer, the alert data displayed on the user interface. In some embodiments, the alert data includes at least one of healthcare facility data, healthcare facility personnel data, or patient data.

In a second aspect of the present disclosure, a method of communicating a location of a patient-support apparatus includes receiving a user input associated with a status of the patient at a user interface coupled to the patient support apparatus and moving therewith. The method also includes providing location data associated with a location of the patient support apparatus in a healthcare facility with a location-detection system. The method also includes communicating, with a communication unit coupled to the patient support apparatus, the status and the location data to a remote computer in response to receipt of the user input.

In some embodiments, the method also includes powering the user interface, location detection system, and communication unit with a battery coupled to the patient support apparatus. In some embodiments, the method also includes communicating patient identification information to the remote computer. In some embodiments, the method also includes communicating through a radio frequency (RF) transmission. In some embodiments, the method also includes communicating through an infrared (IR) transmission. In some embodiments, the method also includes communicating through a wireless transmission. In some embodiments, the method also includes communicating the status and the location data to the remote computer via a waypoint. In some embodiments, the method also includes receiving, at the communication unit, alert data from the remote computer. In some embodiments, the method also includes displaying the alert data on the user interface. In some embodiments, the alert data includes at least one of healthcare facility data, healthcare facility personnel data, or patient data.

In a third aspect of the present disclosure, a healthcare facility location communication system includes a remote computer located in a healthcare facility for monitoring a patient status. A patient support apparatus is adapted to support the patient thereon. The patient support apparatus includes a user interface to receive a user input associated with a status of the patient. A location-detection system is configured to provide location data associated with a location of the patient support apparatus in the healthcare facility. A communication unit is configured to communicate the status and the location data to a remote computer in response to receipt of the user input.

In some embodiments, the a patient support apparatus includes a battery coupled to the patient support apparatus and configured to power the user interface, location detection system, and communication unit. In some embodiments, the communication unit is configured to communicate patient identification information to the remote computer. In some embodiments, the communication unit communicates through a radio frequency (RF) transmission. In some embodiments, the communication unit communicates through an infrared (IR) transmission. In some embodiments, the communication unit communicates through a wireless transmission. In some embodiments, the user interface is located on a siderail of the patient support apparatus. In some embodiments, the system includes a waypoint. The communication unit is configured to communicate the status and the location data to the remote computer via the waypoint. In some embodiments, the communication unit is configured to receive alert data from the remote computer, the alert data displayed on the user interface. In some embodiments, the alert data includes at least one of healthcare facility data, healthcare facility personnel data, or patient data.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A patient may be moved multiple times in a healthcare facility from one room to another during their stay. The patient may be moved on a patient support apparatus. During those moves, the patient may have a medical emergency that may require assistance from a caregiver or medical equipment that is not in the vicinity at the time of the emergency. A patient-support status system in accordance with the present disclosure allows a location and alarm state of a patient support apparatus10in transport to be communicated to a remote location so that needed caregivers having the appropriate equipment know where to go and help the patient.

In one illustrative example, the patient support apparatus10is in wireless communication with waypoints and caregivers during the transportation process. The patient support apparatus includes a battery which provides power to the patient support apparatus during the move. A caregiver or patient may trigger an alarm during transportation immediately without having to find a stationary call unit or coupling the patient support apparatus to power and communication access points (e.g., a wall socket). As a result, an amount of time needed for additional caregivers with appropriate equipment to find the patient support apparatus and assist with the emergency is minimized.

As shown inFIG. 1, the patient support apparatus10includes a patient support surface12, a patient support structure14, and a user interface16. The patient support apparatus10is shown as a hospital bed. Those skilled in the art realize that the patient support apparatus10of the present disclosure may be implemented as a gurney, stretcher, surgical table, examination table, wheel chair, ambulance cot, hospital bed, or other suitable device known to the art. The patient support structure14rests on ground underlying the patient support surface and is movable relative to the ground. The patient support surface12is coupled to the patient support structure14and is adapted to support the patient resting on the patient support apparatus12. The patient support apparatus10is configured to move throughout a healthcare facility, i.e. the patient support apparatus10is mobile and is not fixed in a location.

The user interface16is electrically coupled to a control circuitry18(shown inFIG. 2). The user interface16may provide information to the user. The user interface16also houses a user input42that allows the caregiver to alert other caregivers in the area of an emergent situation. In the illustrated embodiment the user interface16is located on the siderail24of the patient support apparatus10. In other embodiments, the location of the user interface16may be housed in other sections of the patient support apparatus10or even placed on the outside of the patient support apparatus10. Additionally, the user input42may not be included on the user interface16. Rather, the user input42may be separate from the user interface16and located on another part of the patient support apparatus10.

Referring toFIG. 2, the patient support apparatus10includes the control circuitry18. The control circuitry18includes a memory20and a processor22. The memory20holds instructions and data. The processor22operates as a central processing unit and is involved in the execution of instructions provided by the memory20. Both the memory20and the processor22are located within the control circuitry18. The control circuitry18is electrically coupled to the user interface16. A location-detection system34is also in electrical communication with the control circuitry18. The location-detection system34is operable to triangulate a location of the patient support apparatus10within the healthcare facility to determine a location ID of the patient support apparatus10. For example, the location detection system34may determine the location of the patient support apparatus10with a global positioning system and/or through the transmission of signals to waypoints30positioned at fixed locations within the healthcare facility, to name two non-limiting examples.

A transceiver26is electrically coupled to the control circuitry18. The transceiver26is in wireless communication with a server28including a remote computer38, for example a remote computer at a nurse's station, and a transceiver29for receiving and sending signals. In one embodiment, the transceiver26may be in wireless communication with the server28via the waypoint30and/or a caregiver32. The wireless communications may be a radio frequency (RF) signal. In other embodiments, the wireless communications may be an infrared (IR) signal, or any other suitable wireless signal that permits wireless communication. The transceiver26transmits a patient support apparatus ID that identifies the patient and the location ID to the server28. In one embodiment, the patient support apparatus ID and the location ID are transmitted to the server28via the waypoint30and/or caregiver32. Particularly, the waypoint30includes a transceiver31to receive and send signals. The caregiver32likewise includes a transceiver33. For example, the transceiver33may be positioned on a caregiver badge or positioned within a remote communication device carried by the caregiver32.

Once the patient support apparatus ID and the location ID are transmitted to the server28, the location of the patient support apparatus10is displayed on the remote computer38. The server28may then transmit this information to a caregiver32within the vicinity of the patient support apparatus10in the event of an emergent situation.

The user interface16includes the user input42. The user input42is configured to be activated by a caregiver upon identification of an emergent situation, for example an emergent situation during transportation of the patient on the patient support apparatus10. The patient support apparatus ID and location ID are transmitted via the transceiver26in the patient support apparatus10. The patient support apparatus10transmits a signal to any one of the waypoint30, a caregiver32, the server28, or a combination thereof. In order to avoid accidental activation of the user input42, the user input42may be required to be held in the activated position for multiple seconds in order to assure the activation was purposeful. The length of time for which the user input42must be actively activated may range from 1-10 seconds, in one embodiment. Another embodiment of the user input42includes a cover that would prevent accidental activation. The cover may be located partially or wholly around the user input42and kept in place by a variation of a locking or latching device. In order to release the cover, in another embodiment, an apparatus may be provided near the user input42that allows a caregiver to scan their fingerprint prior to being allowed to activate the user input42. The fingerprint activation would permit the release of the cover around the user input42or it would allow for the activation of the user input42without a cover. Other embodiments known to assist in preventing inadvertent activation of the user input may also be used.

In the illustrated embodiment, the patient support apparatus10also includes a battery40. The battery40is configured to power the control circuitry18and other electrical components of the patient support apparatus10. By powering the electrical components with the battery40, the patient support apparatus10may be moved throughout the healthcare facility without losing power. That is, the patient support apparatus10maintains the ability to communicate with the sever28even when the patient support apparatus10is being transported throughout the healthcare facility. As such, in the event of an emergent situation during transportation of the patient support apparatus10, the patient support apparatus10may be located within the healthcare facility so that emergency care may be provided to the patient.

As illustrated inFIG. 3, an embodiment for locating and providing assistance to an emergent situation at the patient support apparatus10is provided. In the illustrative embodiment, the user input42is continuously monitored by the control circuitry18, at step100. At step102, the control circuitry18determines whether the user input42has been activated. If the user input42is activated, the patient support apparatus10transmits the patient support apparatus ID and the location ID to the waypoint30or caregiver32, at step104. At step106, the waypoint30or caregiver32transmit the signal to the server28. It should be noted that, in one embodiment, signals may be transmitted directly from the patient support apparatus10to the server28. The server28then correlates the patient support apparatus ID with the location ID through an algorithm to triangulate a location of the patient support apparatus, at step108. Once triangulation has occurred, at step110, the server28sends a signal to a waypoint30and/or caregiver32within the vicinity of the emergent situation. At step112, a caregiver32in the vicinity of the patient support apparatus10is alerted of the emergent situation so that assistance may be provided to the patient.

FIG. 4illustrates another embodiment for locating and providing assistance to an emergent situation at the patient support apparatus10is provided. In the illustrative embodiment, the user input42is continuously monitored by the control circuitry18, at step120. At step122, the control circuitry18determines whether the user input42has been activated. If the user input42is activated, the patient support apparatus10receives a signal indicative of a location ID from a waypoint30or nearby caregiver32, at step124. The control circuitry18then transmits the location ID and the patient support apparatus ID to another waypoint30or caregiver32, at step126. At step128, the waypoint30or caregiver32transmit the signal to the server28. It should be noted that, in one embodiment, signals may be transmitted directly from the patient support apparatus10to the server28. The server28then correlates the patient support apparatus ID with the location ID through an algorithm to triangulate a location of the patient support apparatus, at step130. Once triangulation has occurred, at step132, the server28sends a signal to a waypoint30and/or caregiver32within the vicinity of the emergent situation. At step134, a caregiver32in the vicinity of the patient support apparatus10is alerted of the emergent situation so that assistance may be provided to the patient.

In one embodiment, alert data may be sent to the patient support apparatus10, for example from the server28or the remote computer38. The alert data may be displayed on the user interface16. The alert data may include healthcare facility data, healthcare facility personnel data, or patient data. The healthcare facility data may include information regarding emergency services within the healthcare facility, for example the nearest location of an automated external defibrillator, the nearest oxygen source, available medications and their location, etc. Healthcare facility personnel data may include information regarding the nearest location of nurses and doctors, as well as doctor specialties. The patient data may include information relevant to patient health, for example allergies, medications, health conditions, etc.

FIG. 5illustrates another embodiment for locating and providing assistance to an emergent situation at the patient support apparatus10is provided. In the illustrative embodiment, the user input42is continuously monitored by the control circuitry18, at step140. At step142, the control circuitry18determines whether the user input42has been activated. If the user input42is activated, the patient support apparatus10receives a signal indicative of a location ID from a waypoint30or nearby caregiver32, at step144. The control circuitry18then correlates the patient support apparatus ID with the location ID through an algorithm to triangulate a location of the patient support apparatus, at step146. Once triangulation has occurred, at step148, the control circuitry18sends a signal to a waypoint30and/or caregiver32within the vicinity of the emergent situation. At step150, a caregiver32in the vicinity of the patient support apparatus10is alerted of the emergent situation so that assistance may be provided to the patient.

Although this disclosure refers to specific embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made without departing from the subject matter set forth in the accompanying claims.