Source: https://patents.google.com/patent/WO2002096335A2/en
Timestamp: 2019-06-26 12:22:24
Document Index: 548920453

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 560', 'art 560', 'art 560', 'art 560', 'art 560', 'art 560', 'art 560', 'art 560', 'art.\n42', 'art.\n60']

WO2002096335A2 - Architectural system adaptable to patient acuity level - Google Patents
WO2002096335A2
WO2002096335A2 PCT/US2002/016404 US0216404W WO02096335A2 WO 2002096335 A2 WO2002096335 A2 WO 2002096335A2 US 0216404 W US0216404 W US 0216404W WO 02096335 A2 WO02096335 A2 WO 02096335A2
WO2002096335A3 (en
2002-05-23 Application filed by Hill-Rom Services, Inc. filed Critical Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
2002-12-05 Publication of WO2002096335A2 publication Critical patent/WO2002096335A2/en
2003-04-03 Publication of WO2002096335A3 publication Critical patent/WO2002096335A3/en
The present disclosure relates to architectural systems, such as headwalls, columns, and ceiling-suspended arm assemblies used in hospitals, and particularly to an architectural system adaptable to patient acuity level. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to an architectural system that is configured to deliver services, such as medical gases, to a patient and/or that is configured to support patient-care devices for delivering intensive care services to a patient. Architectural systems, such as headwalls, columns, and ceiling- suspended arm assemblies, through which medical gases are accessible via medical service outlets are known. Headwalls, columns, and arm assemblies having rails, tracks, or brackets for attachment of patient-care devices and having electrical outlets for delivering power to the patient-care devices are also known. Patients in critical condition are oftentimes located in an intensive care unit of a hospital, whereas patients in stable condition are oftentimes located in a standard patient room. Architectural systems in intensive care units are generally configured to hold more patient-care devices and provide more types of medical services than architectural systems found in a standard patient room. The numbers of patients in critical condition and the numbers of patients in stable condition fluctuate in a hospital over time. Thus, at any given time there may be either a shortage or excess of spaces for patients in an intensive care unit. In addition, at any given time there may be either a shortage or surplus of standard hospital rooms. Thus, there is a need for an architectural system that is adaptable to patients having high, medium, and low acuity levels so that hospitals have the flexibility to meet the needs of the patient population at any give time.
Various patient-care devices and equipment are attachable to the column. Such patient care devices include, for example, IV racks, infusion pumps, ventilation equipment, heart rate monitoring equipment, and patient data acquisition equipment. In an illustrative embodiment, a number of medical service outlets, such as gas outlets and electrical outlets, are coupled to the column. Also in the illustrative embodiment, a number of doors are coupled to the wall unit for opening and closing the cavity. Thus, when the column is in the cavity, the doors may be moved to closed positions shielding the column and the equipment carried by the column from view and blocking access to the medical service outlets on the column. Opening the doors, but leaving the column in the cavity of the headwall unit, permits access to some of the medical service outlets and to some portions of the equipment carried by the column. When the column is moved out of the cavity, all of the medical service outlets and all pertinent portions of the equipment carried by the column are accessible. Also according to this disclosure, a ceiling unit having one or more pieces of equipment coupled thereto is provided. Such equipment includes, for example, a reading light, an examination light, a display screen, air curtain generation equipment, a privacy curtain, a temperature sensor, an air quality sensor, an air purifier, aroma therapy equipment, a motion sensor, and a proximity sensor. In one illustrative embodiment, an arm assembly is coupled to the ceiling unit and supports an overbed table. The arm assembly permits the overbed table to be moved from one side of a hospital bed to an opposite side of the hospital bed.
The detailed description particularly refers to the accompanying figures, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an architectural system adaptable to patient acuity level according to this disclosure showing a headwall unit behind a hospital bed on which a patient is resting, a ceiling unit extending from the headwall unit, the ceiling unit overlying the hospital bed, an IV rack situated in a first cavity of the headwall unit, and a housing having a display screen and a number of medical service outlets situated in a second cavity of the headwall unit;
Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the architectural system of Fig. 1 showing the first column carrying an IV rack having a bottom plate arranged for coupling to a pair of upright posts that are mounted to a distal end of a support arm extending from a bed frame of the hospital bed; Fig. 9 is a side elevation view of the architectural system of Fig. 8 showing the first column (in solid) supporting the IV rack above the upright posts and showing the first column (in phantom) supporting the IV rack in the first cavity of the headwall unit; Fig. 10 is a side elevation view, similar to Fig. 9, showing the IV rack decoupled from the first column and coupled to the hospital bed to be transported with the hospital bed;
Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a first alternative embodiment of an architectural system according to this disclosure showing the ceiling unit having lateral extensions for supporting auxiliary equipment laterally outward of the first and second columns, a first set of door panels covering the first column, and a second set of door panels being opened by varying amounts to partially uncover various portions of the second column; Fig. 12 is a perspective view of a portion of the architectural system of
Fig. 11 showing a privacy curtain moved out of an auxiliary cavity of the headwall unit and hanging from one of the lateral extensions of the ceiling unit;
Fig. 14 is a perspective view, similar to Figs. 12 and 13, but of another portion of the architectural system of Fig. 11 showing an auxiliary IV pole moved out of an auxiliary compartment of the headwall unit and hanging from one of the lateral extensions of the ceiling unit; Fig. 15 is a perspective view of a second alternative embodiment of an architectural system according to this disclosure showing a plurality of openings formed in a perimetral region of the ceiling unit and showing air curtain generation equipment (in phantom) operating to move air out of the plurality of openings to form vertical air curtains along the foot end and opposite sides of the hospital bed; Fig. 16 is a bottom plan view of the ceiling unit of Fig. 15 showing, in phantom, a fan and a set of channels through which air moves to reach the plurality of openings;
Fig. 17 is a perspective view of an environmentally-controlled hospital room showing a patient supported by a hospital bed in the room, a disposable thermoregulation blanket covering a portion of the patient, the disposable thermoregulation blanket being coupled via a hose to a thermoregulation unit housed in a headwall of the hospital room, and an environmental control canopy coupled to a ceiling of the hospital room above the hospital bed; Fig. 18 is a perspective view of a mobile cart according to this disclosure showing the mobile cart having a somewhat rectangular upstanding pedestal, the pedestal having a fairly small depth dimension between a front face and a rear face of the pedestal, the mobile cart having four horizontally extending support legs coupled to the bottom of the pedestal, a set of casters coupled to distal ends of the support legs, and each support leg being pivotable relative to the pedestal about a respective vertical axis between a first position (in solid) extending outwardly from beneath the pedestal and a second position (in phantom) tucked beneath the pedestal; Fig. 19 is a side plan view of a first hospital room showing the mobile cart of Fig. 18 being mounted to a head end of a hospital bed, a second mobile cart, like the mobile cart of Fig. 18, being suspended from a ceiling of the room by an arm assembly, the support legs of the two mobile carts all being in their respective second positions, and the casters of the two mobile carts all being spaced apart from a floor of the room; Fig. 20 is side plan view of a second hospital room showing the mobile cart (in phantom) being situated in a cavity (in phantom) formed in a headwall of the hospital room;
Fig. 21 is a perspective view of a hospital bed supported on a floor of a hospital room and an overbed table assembly that is suspended from a ceiling of a hospital room showing the overbed table assembly including a hub unit coupled to the ceiling above the hospital bed, an ann assembly coupled to the hub unit and extending downwardly therefrom, an entertainment-and-control panel coupled to a vertical arm of the arm assembly, an overbed table coupled to the vertical arm beneath the entertainment-and-control panel, and a telephone coupled to the overbed table; Fig. 22 is a perspective view of a portion of the overbed table assembly of Fig. 40 showing the overbed table assembly including a service-delivery housing coupled to an underside of the overbed table and a plurality of medical service outlets on an end face of the service-delivery housing; and
As previously mentioned, columns 40, 42 carry patient-care equipment. Column 40 is configured to have patient-care equipment attached thereto and detached therefrom, whereas column 42 has patient-care equipment integrated therewith as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. In the illustrative example, column 40 has a vertical arm 62 and an IV rack 64 coupled to vertical arm 62 by suitable couplers such as, for example, clamps, brackets, latches, grippers, or hooks. IV rack 64 has one or more hooks 66 to which IV bags 68 couple and one or more poles 70 to which infusion pumps 72 couple. It is within the scope of this disclosure for any type of medical equipment capable of coupling to an IV pole to be coupled to IV rack. As shown in Figs. 9 and 10, one or more medical service outlets 73 are mounted to arm 62 of column 40. Services accessible via outlets 73 include electrical services, such as electrical power and data transfer, and pneumatic services, such as medical gases or suction. Illustratively, electrical power is provided to infusion pump 72 from one of outlets 73 as shown in Fig. 9. In the illustrative example, column 42 has a vertical arm 74 and a housing 76 coupled to arm 74. A display screen 78 is coupled to an upper portion of housing 76 and a plurality of medical service outlets 80 are coupled to a lower portion of housing 76. Services available via outlets 80 include similar electrical and/or pneumatic services as are available from outlets 73. Service-delivery lines 82 are routed from each of outlets 80 through housing 76 and arm 74 of column 42 and through ceiling unit 38 as shown in Figs. 5-7. In addition, service-delivery lines 84 are routed from each of outlets 73 through arm 62 of column 40 and through ceiling unit 38 as shown in Fig. 7. In addition, lines 82, 84 are routed into ceiling 46 through an opening 86 that is formed in ceiling above a central region of ceiling unit 38. Column 40 has a carriage 88 to which arm 62 is coupled and column
42 has a carriage 90 to which arm 74 is coupled as shown in Fig. 2. In some embodiments, arm 62 and IV rack 64 (or any other patient-care equipment coupled to arm 62) are pivotable about a vertical axis relative to carriage 88 in a first direction as indicated by arrow 92, shown in Fig. 2, and in an opposite, second direction as indicated by arrow 94, shown in Fig. 4. In other embodiments, arm 62 is fixed relative to carriage 88 but the coupler to which IV rack 64 (or other patient-care equipment) couples is pivotable relative to arm 64 in directions 92, 94. Similarly, in some embodiments, arm 74 and housing 76 are pivotable about a vertical axis relative to carriage 90 in first and second directions and, in other embodiments, arm 74 is fixed relative to carriage 90 and housing 76 is pivotable relative to arm 74 about a vertical axis in first and second directions. Various angular orientations of columns 40, 42 about their respective vertical axes are shown in Fig. 7. In illustrative embodiments, the vertical axes about which IV rack 64 and housing 76 pivot extend through associated vertical arms 62, 74.
As columns 40, 42 move between the storage and various use positions, lines 82, 84 move relative to ceiling unit 38 in a somewhat random manner. However, frame 112 and cover 114 are situated beneath portions of lines 82, 84 to shield these portions of lines 82, 84 from view. Other portions of lines 82, 84 are shielded from view by columns 40, 42, respectively. In the illustrative embodiment, panel 114 has lateral side portions 118 that underlie portions of carriages 88, 90 as shown in Fig. 5 with respect to carriage 90. Side portions 118 further shield lines 82, 84 from view. Lines 82, 84 have sufficient slack in the interior region of canopy 96 to permit columns 40, 42 to move from the respective storage positions to the respective farthest use positions adjacent the distal end of associated tracks 98. It is within the scope of this disclosure for one or more line management mechanisms, such as strain reliefs, hoses, conduits, cables, cable ties, articulating segmented channels, and the like, to be coupled to lines 82, 84 either to guide or control the movement of lines 82, 84 or to restrain the movement of lines 82, 84 in a desired manner as columns 40, 42 move between the storage positions in cavities 34, 36, respectively, and the various positions outside of cavities 34, 36. Each illustrative track 98 comprises a track member 120 and a cosmetic cover or panel 122 coupled to the respective member 120 as shown in Fig. 5. Suitable couplers, such as illustrative bolts 123, couple track member 120 to ceiling 46 or, in alternative embodiments, to portions of frame 112 that overlie tracks 98. The proximal ends of track members 120 overlie respective cavities 34, 36 to permit carriages 88, 90 to move along track members 120 into cavities 34, 36, respectively. Columns 40, 42 each comprise a plurality of rollers 124 some of which engage a first roller-engaging surface 126 of the associated member 120 and others of which engage a second roller-engaging surface 128 of the associated member 120 as also shown in Fig. 5. Surfaces 126, 128 are each elongated and extend generally perpendicularly relative to wall 44 of the hospital room. Thus, surfaces 126 are parallel with surfaces 128. In addition, surfaces 126, 128 lie in a common horizontal plane. In some alternative embodiments, track members 120 are curved and in other alternative embodiments, track members 120 are not parallel to each other. Carriages 88, 90 are each somewhat U-shaped having central portions 130 that underlie track members 120 and having a pair of side portions 132 that extend upwardly from respective central portions 130 such that track members 120 are situated between respective side portions 132. Rollers 124 each have shafts 134 that are coupled to side portions 132 and that extend horizontally therefrom in a cantilevered manner toward associated track members 120. As columns 40, 42 move along tracks 98, such as, for example, in directions 136 away from respective cavities 34, 36 as shown in Figs. 2, 4, and 6-8, rollers 124 roll along corresponding surfaces 126, 128. Of course, rollers 124 also roll along surfaces 126, 128 when columns 40, 42 move along tracks 98 in directions opposite to directions 136.
In some embodiments, the electrical circuitry that controls the operation of display screen 78 is coupled to the hospital's computer network or ethernet. In such embodiments, any of the information available on the network is viewable on display screen 78. For example, a caregiver is able to retrieve a patient's medical records (e.g., laboratory test results, medical diagnosis, patient charts, x-rays, and so on) from the network for viewing on screen 78. In addition, patient point-of- care data, such as vital signs data (e.g., heart rate, blood pressure, neurological activity, respiration rate, patient temperature, pulse oximetry) and data associated with the operation of patient-care equipment (e.g., data from one or more ventilators, infusion pumps, electrocardiographs, electroencephalographs), may be displayed on screen 78. Thus, the circuitry associated with screen 78 is programmed and/or configured to receive and process various types of data signals indicative of the infonnation to be displayed on screen 78. It is within the scope of this disclosure for all types of data associated with the care of a patient to be displayed on screen 78. In addition, it is within the scope of this disclosure for screen 78 to display multiple types of data simultaneously, such as in a split screen format. Furthermore, in those embodiments in which the hospital computer network is coupled to the Internet, then information accessible via the Internet is also able to be displayed on screen 78.
In some embodiments, the coupler that couples IV rack 164 to arm 62 is movable vertically relative to arm 62 to permit raising and lowering of IV rack 164 and, in other embodiments, arm 62 comprises telescoping segments that permit raising and lowering of IV rack 164. Alternatively, IV rack 164 is decoupled from arm 62 and is lowered manually onto arm assembly 144. It is also within the scope of this disclosure for an upper frame 154 of bed 48 to be lifted relative to a base 156 of bed 48 so that posts 150 enter into openings 142 and so that plate 148 moves into engagement with plate 140. In some embodiments, additional mechanisms (not shown), such as latches on plate 142 or plate 150, pins that extend through posts 150, caps that snap or thread onto posts, clamps that grip plates 140, 148, and the like, are provided to lock IV rack 164 to arm assembly 144. After IV rack 164 is coupled to arm assembly 144 and decoupled from arm 62, arm 146 is pivotable relative to bed 48 to a second position having IV rack 164 supported alongside bed 48 as shown in Fig. 10. Thus, bed 48 and IV rack 164 coupled to bed 48 are transportable through the hospital without needing to disconnect IV lines from the patient carried by bed 48. Referring now to Figs. 11-14, an alternative architectural system 230 has a headwall unit 232 and a ceiling unit 238 that are substantially similar to headwall unit 32 and ceiling unit 38, respectively, of system 30. Therefore, where applicable, like reference numerals are used to denote components of system 230 that are substantially similar to like components of system 30. One of the differences between system 230 and system 30 is that headwall unit 232 of system 230 has a pair of auxiliary cavities 234, 236 (see Figs. 12 and 14) that are laterally outboard of cavities 34, 36, respectively. A pair of doors 235, 237 are each independently movable between a closed position, shown in Fig. 11, in which the respective cavity
234, 236 and any items or equipment stored therein are inaccessible and an opened position in which the respective cavity 234, 236 and any items or equipment stored therein are accessible. In the illustrative embodiment, doors 235, 237 pivot about respective vertical axes when moving between the opened and closed positions. Suitable locking mechanisms are provided in some embodiments for locking doors
235, 237 in the closed positions. As was the case with system 30, doors 58 of system 230 are movable to open and close cavities 34, 36. Headwall unit 232 has additional medical service outlets 216 mounted on a pair of lower vertical panels 218 which are situated beneath the lowermost pair of doors 58 as shown in Figs. 11, 14, and 14. Headwall unit 232 also has a pair of lower doors 220 that are movable between respective first positions in which doors 220 cover the associated outlets 216 and respective opened positions in which outlets 216 are uncovered for use. It is within the scope of this disclosure for system 30 to also have outlets 216, panels 218, and doors 220. In some embodiments, auxiliary outlets 71 and outlets 216 are included in the headwall unit and, in other embodiments, only one or the other set of outlets 71, 216 are included in the headwall unit.
Another of the differences between system 230 and system 30 is that ceiling unit 238 of system 230 has tracks 198 which are wider than tracks 98 of system 30. Thus, tracks 198 extend laterally outward from canopy 96 of ceiling unit 238 by a greater amount than tracks 98 extend laterally outward from canopy 96 of ceiling unit 38. Each of tracks 198 has a cosmetic cover or panel 210. Each panel 210 has a first elongated slot 212 and a second elongated slot 214. In the illustrative embodiment, slots 212 are parallel with slots 214. Each slot 212 receives a respective side portion 132 of the associated carriage 88, 90 of the respective column 40, 42. Thus, provision of slots 212 in covers 210 allows columns 40, 42 of system 230 to move without interference from panels 210 between the respective storage positions within cavities 34, 36 and the various positions outside of cavities 34, 36.
An air curtain generator 272, such as a fan, blower, pump, or the like, is housed in canopy 96 of ceiling unit 338 as shown in Figs. 15 and 16. An air-intake opening 274 is formed in cover 114 of canopy 96 and an air filter 276 covers opening 274 to filter contaminants from the ambient environment. Air curtain generator 272 is situated in a central chamber 278 of canopy 96 and an air-inlet duct 280 extends from opening 274 to chamber 278. A network of air-outlet ducts 282 extend from chamber 278 throughout ceiling unit 338, including along the outer regions of lateral side portions 198 and including along the front distal regions of canopy 96 and portions 198. Duct 280 overlies some of ducts 282 as shown in Fig. 16. In the illustrative embodiment of system 330, a plurality of air-exit openings or slots 284 are formed along the side and front peripheral regions of the underside of ceiling unit 338. Operation of air curtain generator 272 moves air from the ambient environment through each of filter 276, duct 280, chamber 278, ducts 282, and openings 284 to form air curtains 270. A controller (not shown) housed in ceiling unit 338 or headwall unit
232 or both operates to control air curtain generator 272, the heating equipment (if any), and the humidification equipment (if any). A user interface is provided on one or both of columns 40, 42 or on headwall unit 232. A user inputs operational parameters, such as, for example, fan speed (high, medium, low), air temperature, and air humidity, to the controller via the user interface. In addition, system 330 has various sensors, such as, for example, a fan speed sensor, a temperature sensor, and a humidity sensor that provides feedback to the controller so that appropriate commands from the controller can be provided to air curtain generator 272, the heating system, and the humidification system to adjust the operation of these devices, if appropriate.
An ceiling unit or overhead canopy 550 is coupled to a ceiling 552 of hospital room 532 above bed 534 as shown in Fig. 17. Canopy 550 includes various systems that control the environment of room 532. For example, canopy 532 includes an overhead temperature sensor (not shown), an overhead air quality sensor (not shown), an overhead air purifier (not shown), aroma therapy equipment (not shown), motion or proximity sensors 554 for detecting the presence of other people in the hospital room, examination lights 556, reading lights (not shown), and a video screen 558 for displaying one or more preselected images. Such images may include a scene from nature or other restful scenes. Such images may also include images that transition at the appropriate times during a 24-hour period from day images, such as clouds and sun, to night images, such as moon and stars. Images of the patients family may also be displayed on screen 558. In some embodiments of room 532, the room lights are controlled to dim slowly as the daytime turns to evening. In addition, a recording of evening sounds, such as owls, night birds, crickets, and wind in the trees is played by audio equipment housed in overhead canopy 550. Eventually, the room lights are turned completely off and the night sounds fade away. In other embodiments of room 532, a video screen similar to or larger than video screen 558 is mounted to a room wall, preferably a wall that confronts the foot end of bed 534. In such alternative hospital rooms, television images, internet images, educational information, patient schedule, imagery to promote relaxation, and video conferencing images are selectively displayed on the video screen. Bed 534, unit 538, and ceiling unit 550 each have their own controllers for monitoring and controlling the various functions associated with these devices. Each of such controllers include, for example, one or more microprocessors, microcontrollers, memory circuitry, input/output circuitry, signal conditioning circuitry, signal conversion circuitry, power conditioning circuitry, and the like. It is within the scope of this disclosure for each of the controllers of bed 534, unit 538, and canopy 550 to be coupled to the hospital computer network to exchange data with the network. In some embodiments, parameters for controlling bed 534, unit 538, and canopy 550 are entered by computers that are located remotely from room 532. Thus, for example, if a patient places a nurse call requesting the heating/cooling function of unit 538 and blanket 536 be adjusted or discontinued, the nurse receiving the call is able to adjust the amount of heating/cooling provided to the patient via blanket 536. Referring now to Figs. 18-20, a mobile cart 560 includes a somewhat rectangular upstanding pedestal 562, four horizontally extending support legs 564 coupled to the bottom of pedestal 562, and a set of wheels or casters 566 coupled to distal ends of corresponding support legs 564. Pedestal 562 has a fairly small depth dimension between a front face 568 thereof, shown best in Fig. 18, and a rear face 570 thereof, shown in Figs. 19 and 20. Each support leg 564 is pivotable relative to pedestal 562 about a respective vertical axis between a first position extending outwardly from beneath pedestal 562 as shown in Fig. 18 and a second position tucked beneath pedestal 562 as shown in Figs. 18-20.
When legs 564 are in the second positions, legs 564 and casters 566 are positioned to lie completely under and within the foot print of pedestal 562. In addition, when legs 564 are in the second positions, legs 564 extend in substantially parallel relation with front and rear faces 568, 570 of pedestal 562. When legs 564 are in the first positions, a majority of legs 564 are positioned to lie outside the foot print of pedestal 562 and legs 564 extend in substantially perpendicular relation to front and rear-faces 568, 570 of pedestal 562. Suitable locking or retention mechanisms are provided either on legs 564 or pedestal 562 to lock or retain legs 564 in the respective first and second positions. The stability of cart 560 on a floor is greater when legs 564 are in the first positions than when legs 564 are in their second positions.
Pedestal 562 includes recesses or compartments 589 that are adapted to carry various patient-monitoring and patient-care modules or equipment 590, shown best in Fig. 18. Such patient-care equipment includes, for example, infusion pumps, ventilator control units, gas control units, vital signs monitors, and the like. Some modules 590 are coupled to the patient, via sensor lines, to monitor various physiological conditions and vital signs of the patient. In some embodiments, cart 560 includes an on-board computer system that interfaces with modules 590 and with a receiver/transmitter unit on cart 560. In such embodiments, patient-data from modules 590 is either transmitted to the hospital network via the receiver/transmitter unit or the patient-data is stored in the computer system until a hard- wire or optical connection is made to the network. When the computer system is communicatively coupled to the network, a caregiver located in the hospital remote from cart 560 is able to access the network with a remote computer terminal, for example, to obtain the status of the patient being monitored by modules 590 carried by cart 560. Cart 560 includes a battery (not shown) to provide power to any electrical components, such as modules 590 and the computer system, carried by cart 560.
Assembly 656 includes a telephone 690 having a handset that resides in a recess formed in the upper surface of table 662. Assembly 656 also includes an entertainment-and-control panel 692 that is coupled to arm 676 of arm assembly 660 via a post 694 that extends horizontally away from arm 676 above table 662 as shown in Figs. 40 and 41. Illustrative panel 692 is a touch screen that peπnits the patient to control, for example, room lighting, room temperature, television functions, nurse call functions, and the like. Panel 692 is also operable to display various images such as, for example, television images, internet images, educational information, patient schedule, patient billing information, and video conferencing images. Controls panels having any combination of the above-mentioned control functions and entertainment functions are within the scope of this disclosure. Telephone 690 is used in a conventional manner for placement of phone calls.
A plurality of medical service outlets 696 and a plurality of patient- monitor modules 698 are coupled to an end face 700 of housing 664 as shown in Fig. 22. Modules 698 are arranged in side-by-side relation along an upper portion of end face 700 and medical service outlets 696 are arranged in side-by-side relation beneath modules 698. Each of modules 698 receive patient-data signals via patient-data lines (not shown) that are coupled to modules 698 and to the patient to monitor various physiological conditions of the patient. Patient conditions to be monitored may include temperature, heart rate, blood oxygenation, respiration, brain activity, and the like. Services provided by outlets 696 may include, for example, medical gases, vacuum, and power. Outlets 696 receive the associated services via lines (not shown) that are routed to outlets 696 from the ceiling of the hospital room, through hub unit 658, though interior regions of arms 674, 676, through an opening in table 662, and into an interior region of housing 664. Outlets 696 and modules 698 are positioned on housing 664 so as to be generally inaccessible to a patient lying on bed 684 when assembly 656 is in either the first position or the second position. It is contemplated by this disclosure that table 662 and/or housing 664, along with outlets 696 and modules 698 associated with housing 664 may be suspended from a ceiling of a hospital room by other types of arm assemblies or columns. For example, it is within the scope of this disclosure for table 662 and/or housing 664 to be coupled to or included in columns 40, 42 of any of architectural systems 30, 230, 330 described above. In such embodiments, table 662 or a part thereof flips up, such as by pivoting about a horizontal axis, thereby placing table 662 is in a substantially vertical orientation for storage in the associated cavity 34, 36, 234, 236 of the associated headwall unit 32, 232. When the column 40, 42 associated with table 662 is moved out of the associated cavity 34, 36, 234, 236, table 662 is flipped down to a substantially horizontal orientation for use.
1. An architectural system adaptable to an acuity level of a patient supported by a hospital bed in a patient room having a wall and a ceiling, the architectural system comprising a wall unit coupled to the wall and having a cavity, a ceiling unit coupled to the ceiling, and a column coupled to the ceiling unit for movement between a first position in which at least a majority of the column is situated in the cavity and a second position in which the column is situated outside the cavity.
2. The architectural system of claim 1 , wherein the column includes a vertical member and a patient care device coupled to the vertical member.
12. The architectural system of claim 1 , wherein the ceiling unit comprises a track member and the column comprises a carriage that moves along the track member as the column moves between the first and second positions.
14. The architectural system of claim 12, wherein the track member comprises elongated first and second roller-engaging surfaces, the first roller- engaging surface is parallel to the second roller-engaging surface, the carriage comprises a housing and a plurality of roller coupled to the housing, at least one of the plurality of rollers engages the first roller-engaging surface, and a least another of the plurality of roller engages the second roller-engaging surface.
16. The architectural system of claim 1 , wherein the ceiling unit comprises a housing and a display screen coupled to the housing.
19. The architectural system of claim 1 , wherein the column comprises a medical service outlet and further comprising a medical service delivery line that is routed from the medical service outlet, through the column, and through the ceiling unit.
22. An architectural system adaptable to an acuity level of a patient supported by a hospital bed in a patient room having a wall and a ceiling, the architectural system comprising a wall unit coupled to the wall, the wall unit having a first cavity and a second cavity, a first track member coupled to the ceiling, a second track member coupled to the ceiling, a first column coupled to the first track member for movement between a first position in which at least a majority of the first column is situated in the first cavity and a second position in which the first column is situated outside the cavity alongside a first side of the hospital bed, and a second column coupled to the second track member for movement between a first position in which at least a majority of the second column is situated in the second cavity and a second position in which the second column is situated outside the cavity alongside a second side of the hospital bed.
23. The architectural system of claim 22, wherein the wall unit has a first door that is movable between a closed position blocking access to at least a portion of the first column when the first column is in the first position and an opened position permitting access to the portion of the first column.
25. The architectural system of claim 22, wherein the first track member comprises elongated first and second roller-engaging surfaces, the first roller- engaging surface is parallel to the second roller-engaging surface, the column comprises a carnage having a housing and a plurality of rollers coupled to the housing, at least one of the plurality of rollers engages the first roller-engaging surface, and a least another of the plurality of roller engages the second roller- engaging surface.
26. The architectural system of claim 22, further comprising a canopy situated at least in part between the first and second track members and a light coupled to the canopy.
27. The architectural system of claim 22, further comprising a canopy situated at least in part between the first and second track members and a display screen coupled to the canopy.
28. The architectural system of claim 22, further comprising a canopy situated at least in part between the first and second track members and air curtain generation equipment coupled to the canopy.
29. An apparatus for use in a hospital room having a ceiling, the apparatus comprising a canopy adapted to be coupled to the ceiling of the hospital room, and environmental control equipment coupled to the canopy.
30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the environmental control equipment comprises a temperature sensor.
31. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the environmental control equipment comprises an air quality sensor.
32. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the environmental control equipment comprises an air purifier.
33. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the environmental control equipment comprises aroma therapy equipment.
34. The apparatus of claim 29, further comprising a motion sensor coupled to the canopy.
35. The apparatus of claim 29, further comprising a proximity sensor coupled to the canopy.
36. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the environmental control equipment comprises at least one examination light.
37. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the environmental control equipment comprises at least one reading light.
38. The apparatus of claim 29, further comprising a video screen coupled to the canopy.
39. A mobile cart for use in a hospital to provide care to a patient, the mobile cart comprising an upstanding pedestal, a plurality of legs coupled to a bottom of the upstanding pedestal, a plurality of wheels, each wheel being coupled to a respective leg of the plurality of legs, the legs along with the wheels coupled thereto each being movable between a first position extending outwardly from beneath the upstanding pedestal and second position tucked beneath the upstanding pedestal, and a plurality of patient-care modules coupled to the upstanding pedestal.
40. The mobile cart of claim 39, further comprising at least one IV pole coupled to the upstanding pedestal.
41. The mobile cart of claim 39, wherein the upstanding pedestal has a top wall and further comprising a handle coupled to the top wall, the handle being grippable to maneuver the mobile cart.
42. The mobile cart of claim 39, wherein each wheel of the plurality of wheels is able to swivel about a respective vertical axis.
43. The mobile cart of claim 39, wherein each leg of the plurality of legs is able to swivel about a respective vertical axis.
44. The mobile cart of claim 39, wherein the upstanding pedestal has a compartment adapted to carry at least one of the plurality of patient-care modules.
45. The mobile cart of claim 39, wherein at least one of the plurality of patient-care modules is an infusion pump.
46. The mobile cart of claim 39, wherein at least one of the plurality of patient-care modules is a ventilator control unit.
47. The mobile cart of claim 39, wherein at least one of the plurality of patient-care modules is a gas control units.
48. The mobile cart of claim 39, wherein at least one of the plurality of patient-care modules is a vital signs monitor.
49. The mobile cart of claim 39, wherein at least one of the plurality of patient-care modules is configured to monitor a physiological condition of the patient.
50. The mobile cart of claim 39, further comprising an on-board computer system that interfaces with at least one of the plurality of patient-care modules.
51. The mobile cart of claim 50, further comprising a receiver and a transmitter and the on-board computer system interfaces with the receiver and the transmitter.
52. The mobile cart of claim 50, wherein the on-board computer system is configured to transmit wirelessly patient data from at least one of the plurality of patient-care modules.
53. The mobile cart of claim 50, wherein the on-board computer system is configured to store patient data from at least one of the plurality of patient- care modules until a hard- ire connection is made between the on-board computer system and an external computer network.
54. The mobile cart of claim 50, wherein the on-board computer system is configured to store patient data from at least one of the plurality of patient- care modules until an optical connection is made between the on-board computer system and an external computer network.
55. The mobile cart of claim 50, further comprising a battery configured to provide power to the on-board computer system and to at least one of the plurality of patient-care modules.
56. The mobile cart of claim 39, wherein at least one of the plurality of patient-care modules comprises a medical gas tank housed in the upstanding pedestal and further comprising a service delivery port that is coupled to the upstanding pedestal and through which medical gas from the medical gas tank is accessible.
57. A set of equipment for use in a hospital room having a floor, the set of equipment comprising a hospital bed supported by the floor, an arm assembly hanging in the hospital room, and a mobile cart that is selectively couplable to the hospital bed and to the arm assembly and that is selectively decouplable from the hospital bed and from the arm assembly, the mobile cart having wheels that are spaced apart from the floor when the mobile cart is coupled to the hospital bed and when the mobile cart is coupled to the arm assembly, the wheels engaging the floor when the mobile cart is decoupled from the hospital bed and decoupled from the arm assembly.
58. The set of equipment of claim 57, wherein the mobile cart comprises a pedestal and at least one IV pole coupled to the pedestal.
59. The set of equipment of claim 57, wherein the mobile cart comprises a pedestal having a top wall, the mobile cart has a handle coupled to the top wall, and the handle is grippable to maneuver the mobile cart.
60. The set of equipment of claim 57, wherein the mobile cart comprises a pedestal and a patient-care module coupled to the pedestal.
61. The set of equipment of claim 60, wherein the pedestal has a compartment adapted to carry the patient-care module.
62. The set of equipment of claim 60, wherein the patient-care module is an infusion pump.
63. The set of equipment of claim 60, wherein the patient-care module is a ventilator control unit.
64. The set of equipment of claim 60, wherein the patient-care module is a gas control unit.
65. The set of equipment of claim 60, wherein the patient-care module is a vital signs monitor.
66. The set of equipment of claim 60, wherein the patient-care module is configured to monitor a physiological condition of the patient.
67. The set of equipment of claim 60, wherein the mobile cart has an on-board computer system that interfaces with the patient-care module.
68. The set of equipment of claim 60, wherein the mobile cart has a receiver, the mobile cart has a transmitter, and the on-board computer system interfaces with the receiver and the transmitter.
69. The set of equipment of claim 60, wherein the on-board computer system is configured to transmit wirelessly patient data from the patient- care module.
70. The set of equipment of claim 60, wherein the on-board computer system is configured to store patient data from the patient-care module until a hard- wire connection is made between the on-board computer system and an external computer network.
71. The set of equipment of claim 60, wherein the on-board computer system is configured to store patient data from at least one of the plurality of patient-care modules until an optical connection is made to an external computer network.
72. The set of equipment of claim 60, wherein the mobile cart has a battery configured to provide power to the on-board computer system and to the patient-care module.
73. The set of equipment of claim 60, wherein the patient-care module comprises a medical gas tank housed in the pedestal, the mobile cart has a service delivery port coupled to the pedestal, and medical gas from the medical gas tank is accessible via the service delivery port.
74. The set of equipment of claim 57, wherein the arm assembly has a plurality of articulated arm segments.
75. The set of equipment of claim 57, wherein the arm assembly comprises a vertical column.
76. The set of equipment of claim 75, further comprising a track member along which the vertical column is movable.
77. A set of hospital equipment comprising a mobile cart carrying patient-care equipment and having a plurality of wheels, and a headwall formed to include a cavity that receives the mobile cart, the headwall having a ledge surface, the plurality of wheels of the mobile cart engaging the ledge surface when the mobile cart is received in the cavity.
78. The set of hospital equipment of claim 77, wherein a portion of the headwall overlies the cavity.
79. The set of hospital equipment of claim 77, wherein the mobile cart has a pedestal and an IV pole coupled to the pedestal and wherein the cavity is sized to receive the pedestal and the IV pole.
80. The set of hospital equipment of claim 77, wherein the mobile cart has a pedestal and a plurality of legs coupled to the pedestal and wherein each wheel of the plurality of wheels is coupled to a respective leg of the plurality of legs.
81. The set of hospital equipment of claim 80, wherein the plurality of legs, along with the wheels coupled thereto, are each movable between a first position extending outwardly from beneath the pedestal and second position tucked beneath the pedestal.
82. The set of hospital equipment of claim 77, wherein the headwall has a panel and at least one medical service outlet that is coupled to the panel and through which a medical service is accessible.
83. An apparatus comprising an arm assembly adapted to be suspended from a ceiling of a hospital room, and an overbed table coupled to the arm assembly to be supported by the arm assembly above a floor of the hospital room.
84. The apparatus of claim 83, wherein the overbed table has a table surface that is substantially horizontal, the arm assembly is configured to pennit repositioning of the overbed table in the hospital room, and the table surface remains at a substantially constant elevation above the floor as the overbed table is repositioned.
85. The apparatus of claim 83, further comprising a control panel coupled to the arm assembly and the control panel having a user input.
86. The apparatus of claim 85, wherein the user input is engageable to control a light in the hospital room.
87. The apparatus of claim 85, wherein the user input is engageable to control a temperature of the hospital room.
88. The apparatus of claim 85, wherein the user input is engageable to control at least one function of a television situated in the hospital room.
89. The apparatus of claim 85, wherein the user input is engageable to place a nurse call signal.
90. The apparatus of claim 85, wherein the control panel has a screen on which video images are displayed.
91. The apparatus of claim 85, wherein the control panel has a screen on which images accessed via the internet are displayed.
92. The apparatus of claim 85, wherein the control panel has a screen on which a patient schedule is displayed.
93. The apparatus of claim 85, wherein the control panel has a screen on which education information is displayed.
94. The apparatus of claim 85, wherein the control panel has a screen on which patient billing information is displayed.
95. The apparatus of claim 85, wherein the control panel has a screen on which video conferencing images are displayed.
96. The apparatus of claim 85, wherein the control panel is situated above the overbed table.
97. The apparatus of claim 85, wherein the control panel comprises a touch screen and the user input comprises an area on the touch screen.
98. The apparatus of claim 83, further comprising a telephone, the overbed table having a recess, and the telephone having a handset that resides in the recess.
99. The apparatus of claim 83, further comprising a housing coupled to the overbed table, a medical service outlet coupled to the table, and a service-delivery line routed from the medical service outlet, through the housing, and through the arm assembly.
100. The apparatus of claim 99, wherein the housing extends downwardly from the overbed table and terminates at a bottom end that is spaced apart from the floor.
101. The apparatus of claim 83 , further comprising a housing coupled to the overbed table and a patient-monitor module coupled to the housing, the patient-monitor module being configured to receive a patient-data signal indicative of a physiological condition of a patient.
102. An apparatus comprising a hub unit adapted to mount to a ceiling of a hospital room, an ann assembly coupled to the hub unit, an overbed table coupled to the arm assembly, and a housing coupled to one of the arm assembly and the overbed table, the housing carrying one of a medical service outlet and a patient-monitor module.
103. The apparatus of claim 102, wherein the hub unit comprises an upper portion, a lower portion, and an annular slot defined between the upper and lower portions and wherein the arm assembly comprises a first arm segment that is rotatable relative to the first and second portions within the slot.
104. The apparatus of claim 103, wherein the first arm segment extends from the slot and terminates at a distal end and the arm assembly comprises a second ann segment extending downwardly from the distal end of the first arm segment.
105. The apparatus of claim 104, wherein the overbed table is coupled to a lower end portion of the second arm segment.
106. The apparatus of claim 104, wherein the second arm, the overbed table, and the housing rotate as a unit relative to the first ann segment.
107. The apparatus of claim 104, wherein the overbed table and the housing rotate as a unit relative to the second arm segment.
108. The apparatus of claim 103 , wherein the hub unit further includes a plurality lights coupled to the lower portion and arranged to direct light downwardly from the lower portion.
109. A set of hospital equipment comprising a headwall, a blanket, a unit housed in the headwall, and a hose coupled to the blanket and coupled to the unit, a thermoregulation medium being moved between the blanket and the unit through the hose.
110. The set of hospital equipment of claim 107, wherein the thermoregulation medium comprises a cooled liquid.
111. The set of hospital equipment of claim 109, wherein the thermoregulation medium comprises cooled air.
112. The set of hospital equipment of claim 109, wherein the thermoregulation medium comprises a heated liquid.
113. The set of hospital equipment of claim 109, wherein the thermoregulation medium comprises heated air.
114. The set of hospital equipment of claim 109, wherein the blanket has internal passages through which the thermoregulation medium travels.
115. The set of hospital equipment of claim 114, wherein the blanket has a plurality of perforations through which a portion of the thermoregulation medium escapes from the internal passages of the blanket.
116. The set of hospital equipment of claim 109, wherein the thermoregulation medium is a heated medium when the patient is to be heated and the thermoregulation medium is a cooled medium when the patient is to be cooled.
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