Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US20030019165?dq=%22tracy+thompson%22
Timestamp: 2014-07-14 10:58:01
Document Index: 382374458

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 118', 'art 118', 'art 118', 'art 118', 'arts 118', 'art 118', 'art 118', 'art 118', 'arts 118', 'art 118', 'art 118', 'arts 118', 'arts 118', 'arts 118', 'arts 118', 'arts 118']

Patent US20030019165 - Patient care apparatus and method - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign in<nobr>Advanced Patent Search</nobr>PatentsA patient care apparatus for use in a healthcare facility having a patient room separated from a hallway. The apparatus includes a cabinet having a supply receptacle and a portion situated in an opening formed between the patient room and the hallway. The cabinet has a first side accessible in the patient...http://www.google.com/patents/US20030019165?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US20030019165 - Patient care apparatus and methodAdvanced Patent SearchPublication numberUS20030019165 A1Publication typeApplicationApplication numberUS 10/153,206Publication dateJan 30, 2003Filing dateMay 22, 2002Priority dateMay 25, 2001Also published asCA2447655A1, CA2447656A1, CA2447661A1, EP1389995A2, EP1395220A1, EP1397103A2, US6895715, US7040057, US7219472, US7392621, US7735266, US7865982, US8240092, US8418287, US8499503, US8683750, US20030009952, US20030014817, US20040237202, US20050102912, US20070068089, US20080236054, US20100205739, US20110072588, US20120291199, US20130145700, WO2002096335A2, WO2002096335A3, WO2002096338A2, WO2002096338A3, WO2002096339A1Publication number10153206, 153206, US 2003/0019165 A1, US 2003/019165 A1, US 20030019165 A1, US 20030019165A1, US 2003019165 A1, US 2003019165A1, US-A1-20030019165, US-A1-2003019165, US2003/0019165A1, US2003/019165A1, US20030019165 A1, US20030019165A1, US2003019165 A1, US2003019165A1InventorsDennis Gallant, Dennis LanciOriginal AssigneeGallant Dennis J., Lanci Dennis M.Export CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManReferenced by (13), Classifications (74), Legal Events (1) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetPatient care apparatus and methodUS 20030019165 A1Abstract A patient care apparatus for use in a healthcare facility having a patient room separated from a hallway. The apparatus includes a cabinet having a supply receptacle and a portion situated in an opening formed between the patient room and the hallway. The cabinet has a first side accessible in the patient room and a second side accessible in the hallway. A communication portion is coupled to the hospital computer network and is configured to receive a signal indicating at least one of activation of a faucet in the room, collection of patient data, use of a supply item, and collection of supply data. A mobile supply cart is configured to carry supplies. The mobile supply cart includes a supply data management unit on which inventory management data is entered, and a transceiver configured to send the inventory management data to a computer network of the healthcare facility and receive supply refill orders transmitted from the network. Images(5) Claims(73)
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0122]FIG. 1 illustrates a fragmentary perspective view of a patient care system in a hospital room, the system including a modular work cell having a hand-washing portion, a supply-and-waste cabinet portion, a data-communication portion, and a network connection; [0123]FIG. 2 illustrates a fragmentary sectional view taken generally along section lines 2-2 of FIG. 1 showing the hand-washing portion, the supply-and-waste cabinet portion, and the data-communication portion, with a patient communicating through a window in the data-communication portion with a caregiver operating a keyboard at a monitor in the hallway outside the room; [0124] FIG.3 illustrates a fragmentary perspective view of the data-communication portion showing a recess formed therein, a hallway shelf supporting the keyboard and monitor, and a chair positioned in the recess; [0125]FIG. 4 illustrates a fragmentary sectional view taken generally along section lines 4-4 of FIG. 2 showing the data-communication portion including the window, a room shelf supporting a room keyboard, and a rotating mount supporting the monitor on the hallway shelf for pivoting movement between a position facing into the room and a position facing the hallway, the rotating mount being a pulley operatively coupled by a belt to a second pulley in the room with a crank arm attached thereto to permit a person in the room to rotate the monitor; [0126]FIG. 5 illustrates a fragmentary perspective view of a second embodiment of a cabinet accessible from within or outside the room in the hallway, first, second, and third tote drawer units for transporting and housing supplies, and a mobile cart for carrying supplies in standard drawers and in the tote drawer units; [0127]FIG. 6 illustrates a fragmentary sectional view taken generally along section lines 6-6 of FIG. 5 showing an upper portion of the cabinet of FIG. 5, showing doors coupled to a front portion of the cabinet and a second door coupled to a rear portion of the cabinet; and [0128]FIG. 7 illustrates a fragmentary sectional view taken generally along section lines 7-7 of FIG. 5 showing the third tote drawer unit coupled to a foot board of a hospital bed, hook-shaped retainers coupling the tote drawer unit to the foot board, and compartments inside the tote drawer unit for storing supplies.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0129] As illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, a patient care system 10 is provided in a patient room 12 to improve the efficiency with which care is provided to a patient. Patient room 12 is separated by a wall 14 from a hallway 16. Patient care system 10 includes a modular work cell 20 cooperating with wall 14. Modular work cell 20 includes a hand-washing portion 30, a supply-and-waste cabinet portion 50, and a data-communication portion 70. Illustratively, supply-and-waste cabinet portion 50 is next to hand-washing portion 30, and data-communication portion 70 is next to supply-and-waste portion 50, as illustrated in FIGS. 1-2. Portions 30, 50, 70 of illustrative work cell 20 are formed integrally with one another. However, it is within the scope of this disclosure for portions 30, 50, 70 to be formed separately and coupled to wall 14 or coupled together with fasteners. It is also within the scope of this disclosure to use any of portions 30, 50, 70 with or without the other portions, to position them in any order, or to space them apart from one another. [0130] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, modular work cell 20 includes a back wall 24 that is shared by portions 30 and 50. Back wall 24 extends along wall 14 of hospital room 12 in which a doorway 22 is formed. Ceiling panel 40 extends from the top of back wall 24 perpendicular thereto as illustrated in FIG. 1. A first vertical wall 46 separates hand-washing portion 30 from supply-and-waste portion 50 and a second vertical wall 48 separates supply-and-waste portion 50 from data-communication portion 70. Each of walls 46, 48 extends from back wall 24 perpendicular thereto. Ceiling panel 40 is illustratively shared by portions 30, 50, 70. However, it is within the scope of this disclosure to omit ceiling panel 40 from one or more of portions 30, 50, 70 and couple back wall 24 and/or walls 46, 48 to wall 14 or a ceiling 15 of room 12. [0131] As illustrated in FIG. 1, hand-washing portion 30 includes a counter or shelf 32 extending from back wall 24. Shelf 32 is coupled to back wall 24 and to wall 46. Shelf 32 includes a sink 34, a water faucet 36, and handles 38 for turning hot and cold water on and off. Hand-washing portion 30 is illuminated by a task light 42 provided in ceiling panel 40. Illustratively, hand-washing portion 30 is positioned in room 12 near doorway 22 to encourage hand-washing upon entry and prior to exit from room 12. [0132] Supply-and-waste portion 50 includes an upper shelf 52 coupled to and extending between walls 24, 46, 48. An intermediate shelf 54 below upper shelf 52 and a lower shelf 56 below intermediate shelf 54 are similarly coupled to walls 24, 46, 48. A first space 58 is bounded by shelf 52, a portion of ceiling panel 40, and walls 46, 48. A second space 60 is bounded by shelf 52, shelf 54, and walls 46, 48. A third space 62 is bounded by shelf 54, lower shelf 56, and walls 46, 48. Supplies (not shown) such as linens, drugs, wound dressings, sterilized syringes, and the like can be placed in spaces 58, 60. A waste bin, basket, or receptacle (not shown) can be placed in space 62. Supply-and-waste portion 50 includes doors 59, 61, 63 coupled to second wall 48 to selectively close spaces 58, 60, 62, as illustrated in FIG. 1. As explained more fully below with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, it is within the scope of this disclosure for access openings to be provided in hospital room wall 14 and in back wall 24 so that an attendant can access each of spaces 58, 60, 62 from the hallway to deliver supplies and remove waste without having to enter the hospital room. [0133] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, data-communication portion 70 includes a side wall 72 and a front wall 74 coupled to and extending perpendicularly between side wall 72 and wall 48. Illustratively, front wall 74 extends into room 12 and is generally flush with doors 59, 61, 63 to provide a recess 76 in data-communication portion 70 in hallway 16. Recess 76, illustratively bounded by walls 48, 72, 74, permits a caregiver using data-communication portion 70 to get out of traffic in hallway 16. It is within the scope of this disclosure for side wall 72 to be a wall of room 12 or a wall installed with, and/or as a part of, modular work cell 20. [0134] As illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, data-communication portion 70 includes a privacy window 78 (illustratively incorporating a liquid crystal display or LCD) that can be activated by a patient or a caregiver to change the window from transparent to opaque to prevent viewing through window 78. Window 78 is oriented in wall 74 to permit a caregiver to see the patient from hallway 16 and to see equipment such as monitors and the like. Operation of the LCD feature can be limited to caregivers, the patient, or other designees for safety, privacy, and security. Limitations can be maintained by coupling the LCD to a system that limits access, for example, by requiring entry of a security code before the LCD feature will function to render the window opaque or transparent. [0135] As illustrated in FIG. 1, data-communication portion 70 includes a work stool 80 beneath window 78. Illustrative work stool 80 includes a triangular frame 82 pivotably mounted to wall 74 and a seat 84 carried by frame 82. Portion 70 includes a room shelf 86 coupled to front wall 74 inside room 12 below window 78 and above stool 80. A hallway shelf 88 is coupled below window 78 to the outside of front wall 74 and extends into recess 76. [0136] As illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, data-communication portion 70 includes a display terminal or monitor 90 pivotally mounted to hallway shelf 88. Monitor 90 is positioned to be viewed through window 78 and is equipped with a rotating mount 92 to turn the monitor between a first position facing the room (illustrated in FIG. 1) and a second position facing the hallway (illustrated in FIGS. 2-4). Rotating mount 92 can be actuated from inside room 12 or in hallway 16. Illustratively, rotating mount 92 includes a first pulley coupled to a second pulley 94 by a belt 96 extending through an opening provided therefor in wall 14. A crank 98 is coupled to second pulley 94. First and second pulleys 92, 94 are coupled to hallway shelf 88 and room shelf 86, respectively, for rotation. As a caregiver turns crank 98 about axis 100, belt 96 rotates mount 92 about axis 102 and this in turn rotates monitor 90. A similar crank arm can be coupled to rotating mount 92 so that the caregiver can rotate monitor 90 from hallway 16. It is within the scope of this disclosure to couple monitor 90 to shelf 88 for pivoting movement relative to shelf 88 using any suitable method, including a switched electric motor coupled to monitor 90, or the like. [0137] As illustrated in FIG. 1, data-communication portion 70 further includes first and second keyboards 104, 106 in communication with monitor 90. Keyboards 104, 106, positioned in room 12 and hallway 16 respectively, cooperate with monitor 90 to permit a caregiver or patient to interact with a database, computer, or computer network 108. A dual-screen computer terminal 110 is coupled to front wall 74 by an articulated counterbalance arm 112. An activity-tracking sensor 114 is illustratively mounted to the ceiling of the hospital room; however, it is within the scope of this disclosure to couple sensor 114 to ceiling panel 40 or another part of modular work cell 20. Sensor 114 sends signals to and receives signals from a communication badge 116 worn by the caregiver to track the presence and activities of the caregiver. Monitor 90, keyboards 104, 106, terminal 110, sensor 114, hand-washing equipment of portion 30, and asset-tracking sensors (not shown) for sensing the presence of supplies in spaces 58, 60 of portion 50, are all connected electrically to the hospital database, computer, or computer network as indicated by the diagrammatic dashed lines 108 illustrated in FIG. 1. Terminal 110, keyboards 104, 106, and monitor 90 can be used to enter or retrieve patient data, to manually enter supply refill orders or waste removal orders, to automatically receive supply data, and to carry out similar activities. Illustratively, devices such as terminal 10, keyboards 104, 106 can include, serve as, be part of, or communicate with a supply data receiver to receive the supply data from a supply data source such as a manual entry device or an automatic supply sensor. Manual entry devices can include keyboards, keypads, touch screens, voice systems, and the like. Automatic supply sensors can include proximity sensors, weight sensors to measure a quantity of supplies remaining, bar code readers to record items remaining or items as they are used, and the like. [0138] Hand-washing portion 30 also includes monitoring equipment (not shown) that operates to monitor whether a caregiver washes his/her hands at the appropriate time, such as upon entering the hospital room or just prior to exiting the hospital room. The hand-washing monitoring equipment provides an alarm signal, such as an audible alarm or a visible alarm, to remind the caregiver to wash his/her hands when the hand-washing equipment senses parameters that indicate that the caregiver has not washed his/her hands. [0139] Another aspect of patient care system 10 is illustrated in FIGS. 5-7. As illustrated in FIG. 5, modular work cell 20 includes a second embodiment of a supply-and-waste portion, including a cabinet 120 situated in an opening formed in hospital room wall 14. Cabinet 120 is accessible in patient room 12 through a front 122 of cabinet 120 and is accessible in hallway 16 through a rear 123 of cabinet 120. An upper portion 124 of cabinet 120 (a.k.a. a pass-through nurse server) includes a space in which a first tote drawer unit 126 is received. A second tote drawer unit 128 is illustrated in FIG. 5 being removed from a mobile supply cart 118 and arranged for insertion into the upper portion 124 of cabinet 120 from hallway 16. Second tote drawer unit 128 replaces first tote drawer unit 126 in upper portion 124 of cabinet 120 once first unit 126 is removed. A third tote drawer unit 130 is also illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 7 coupled to a foot board 132 of a hospital bed 134. In this orientation, third tote drawer unit 130 can be transported with bed 134 so that desired supplies can move with the bed 134. [0140] As illustrated in FIG. 7, each tote drawer unit 126, 128, 130 includes spaces or compartments 136 of shapes and sizes to house various patient-care supplies such as, for example, linens, drigs, wound dressings, sterilized syringes, and the like. It is understood that tote drawer units 126, 128, 130 are interchangeable with each other and can be moved between mobile supply cart 118, cabinet 120, and bed 134. Tote drawer units 126, 128, 130 can be re-supplied while the tote drawer units are coupled to cabinet 120 or on foot board 132 using supplies stored on board supply cart 118, for example. If desired, tote drawer units 126, 128, 130 with depleted supplies can be swapped with restocked tote drawer units. [0141] As illustrated in FIG. 5, supply cart 118 includes several drawer openings 146 to hold standard drawers for supplies to refill the tote drawer units. Alternatively, tote drawer units 126, 128, 130 can be placed in drawer openings 146 or can be attached to push handles 148 that are coupled to sides 150 of mobile supply carts 118. The tote drawer units can be stocked with supplies at other locations in the hospital, such as a supply room or pharmacy, and transported to hospital room 12, for example on cart 118. [0142] As illustrated in FIG. 7, each tote drawer unit 126, 128, 130 includes a housing 137 having coupled thereto an upper carrying handle 138 and a pair of retainers or rear handles 140. Retainers 140 hold tote drawer units 126, 128, 130 in position on mobile supply cart 118, in cabinet 120, or on foot board 132 of bed 134. Illustratively, retainers 140 include somewhat hook-shaped portions 142 that hook over an upper edge 144 of foot board 132 when the associated tote drawer unit 126, 128, 130 is mounted to bed 134. Retainers 140 also cooperate with upper portion 124 of cabinet 120 and handle 148 of mobile supply cart 118 to hold tote drawer units 126, 128, 130 in the desired position. Compartments 136 illustratively include flip-out doors 139 coupled to housing 137 to retain articles therein during movement of tote drawer units 126, 128, 130. [0143] As illustrated in FIG. 5, cabinet 120 also includes a pair of waste-management bins 160 and a set of foot pedals 162 that are depressed to open associated waste-management bins 160. Each bin 160, is biased to close automatically when the associated foot pedal 162 is released, retracting into lower portion 125 of cabinet 120. A sharps-disposal bin 164 is included in the upper portion 124 of cabinet 120. Used needles, syringes, and the like are placed in sharps-disposal bin 164 for later disposal. Waste placed in bins 160, 164 can be removed from the backside of cabinet 120 in hallway 16 and transported away for disposal of their contents. [0144] As illustrated in FIG. 6, cabinet 120 is positioned in wall 14 and is accessible from the hallway 16 or inside room 12. Upper portion 124 of cabinet 120 includes a first door 190 accessible inside room 12 and a second door 192 accessible in hallway 16. Hinges 194 movably couple doors 190, 192 to upper portion 124 for movement between open positions (illustrated in phantom) permitting access to an interior of cabinet 120 and closed positions (illustrated in solid lines). Doors 190, 192 can include locks (not shown) to prevent access to the contents of cabinet 120 by unauthorized persons from inside room 12, from hallway 16, or both. It is within the scope of this disclosure for cabinet 120 to include additional doors with or without locks to permit access to different portions of cabinet 120, including sharps disposal or other waste disposal, limiting access to these various portions of cabinet 120 to proper hospital personnel. As illustrated in FIG. 5, a task light 196 is coupled to upper portion 122 of cabinet 120 above the space that receives tote drawer units 126, 128, 130. As illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, cabinet 120 includes a work shelf 198 below front door 190. [0145] As illustrated in FIG. 5, patient care system 10 further includes a computer terminal or touch-screen monitor 170 coupled to wall 14. It is within the scope of this disclosure to couple terminal 170 to cabinet 120. Caregivers use computer terminal 170 to enter supply information such as usage or refill orders. It is within the scope of this disclosure for computer terminal 170 to be part of a networked computer system that also serves to permit automatic entry, recording, and monitoring of patient data.. Illustratively, devices such as terminal 170 can include, serve as, be part of, or communicate with a supply data receiver to receive the supply data from a supply data source such as a manual entry device or an automatic supply sensor. Manual entry devices can include keyboards, keypads, touch screens, voice systems, and the like. Automatic supply sensors can include proximity sensors, weight sensors to measure a quantity of supplies remaining, bar code readers to record items remaining in stock, or items as they are used, and the like. [0146] As illustrated in FIG. 5, patient care system 10 further includes a plurality of mobile supply carts 118 (only one of which is illustrated in FIG. 5) that are located throughout the healthcare facility. Each cart 118 includes a cart housing 180, a data entry and management unit 184 carried by housing 180, and a transmitter/receiver unit 182 carried by housing 180. Data entry and management unit 184 is used for inventory control to record supply management data, such as the type and quantity of supplies being added to or removed from the associated cart 118. In one embodiment, data entry and management unit 184 receives from receiver 182 a signal containing information regarding needed supplies in patient room 12. Supply personnel can then use this information to stock the cart with proper supplies and deliver the supplies to room 12. For example, a caregiver can place supply refill orders using monitor 170. The order information is sent to a hospital computer (not shown) of a hospital computer network (not shown). The network transmits a signal to one or more carts 118 that contain the needed supplies to alert the attendants of the respective one or more carts 118 to deliver the needed supplies. Data entry and management unit 184 can be a stand-alone computer, or may be somewhat less sophisticated, for example, a keyboard, barcode reader and/or the like coupled to the transmitter/receiver 182. [0147] It is within the scope of this disclosure that supply information is entered to the network automatically or manually. For example, supply data can be entered to a supply data receiver using an automatic supply sensor such as a device that automatically determines the quantities of certain supplies present or used, or supply data can be entered on a manual entry device. Such supply data sources can comprise, for example, a scanning system such as a bar code reader to record presence of remaining supplies or the use of a supply item, a weight sensor to detect the amount of remaining supplies, or a manual entry system, such as a keyboard or keypad, to track usage or remaining supplies. It is also within the scope of this disclosure that the exchange of data relating to supplies, relating to the condition of the patient, and the like can take place by any suitable method, such as, a wireless, optical, or wired network of computers, databases, and the like. It is within the scope of this disclosure to record such patient or supply data on memory coupled to carts 118, terminal 170, data entry and management unit 184, tote drawer units 126, 128, 130, or other devices, to be connected to the network later for transmission of the data to the network at a convenient time. It is also within the scope of this disclosure for transmitter/receiver unit 182 to inform caregivers of the locations of carts 118 and the supplies that are on board the carts 118. [0148] Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to certain illustrative embodiments, variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of the invention as described and defined in the following claims. Referenced byCiting PatentFiling datePublication dateApplicantTitleUS7009840Feb 20, 2004Mar 7, 2006Lxe, Inc.Mobile clinical workstationUS7263501Mar 11, 2003Aug 28, 2007I-Stat CorporationPoint-of-care inventory management system and methodUS7552071Jun 11, 2007Jun 23, 2009Abbott Point Of Care Inc.Point-of-care inventory management system and methodUS7612999Feb 21, 2006Nov 3, 2009Flo Healthcare Solutions, LlcMobile clinical workstationUS7912754Apr 23, 2009Mar 22, 2011Abbott Point Of Care Inc.Point-of-care inventory management system and methodUS7920061 *Nov 26, 2008Apr 5, 2011General Electric CompanyControlling an alarm state based on the presence or absence of a caregiver in a patient's roomUS8307591Mar 19, 2009Nov 13, 2012Brainlab AgEmbedding unit for display devicesUS8532938Nov 30, 2005Sep 10, 2013The Invention Science Fund I, LlcTesting-dependent administration of a nutraceuticalUS8707630 *Nov 1, 2011Apr 29, 2014Walgreen Co.Pharmacy workspace with clinic stationEP1872802A1 *Jun 28, 2007Jan 2, 2008Ethicon Inc.Hand washing compliance systemEP2103751A1 *Mar 19, 2008Sep 23, 2009BrainLAB AGBuilt-in unit for display devicesWO2004081746A2 *Mar 11, 2004Sep 23, 2004I Stat CorpPoint-of care inventory management system and methodWO2005120298A2 *May 31, 2005Dec 22, 2005Chance Richard WEquipment storage module* Cited by examinerClassifications U.S. Classification52/36.4International ClassificationA61M1/00, E04B2/74, A61G7/02, A61G9/02, A61G7/05, A61G7/00, A61M16/00, A61M5/14, A61G7/053, G06F19/00, H01R13/00, A61G7/018, A61G13/00, H01R13/631, A61G12/00, A61G10/00, A61G7/015Cooperative ClassificationA61G7/0015, A61G7/015, A61G13/108, A61G2007/0524, E04B2002/7488, H01R2201/12, A61G7/0005, A61M5/1415, A61G10/00, A61M16/00, A61G7/0503, G06F19/322, H01R13/6315, E04B2002/7483, A61G12/001, A61G7/02, H01R13/005, A61G2007/0509, A61M2209/084, A61G7/0507, G06F19/3418, G06F19/3406, A61G2007/0514, A61G2205/00, A61G2007/0513, A61G12/002, A61G13/107, A61G12/004, A61G7/053, E04B2/745, A61G2203/80, A61G9/02, G06F19/3481, A61M1/0013, A61G7/00, A61G7/018, G06F19/327, G06F19/3468, A61M2209/082, A61G12/008, A61G12/005European ClassificationG06F19/34A, G06F19/32C, A61M5/14R2, E04B2/74C4B, A61G7/00, A61G7/05S, A61G7/00B, A61G9/02, A61G7/02, A61G12/00S, G06F19/34N, A61G7/05H, A61G12/00, A61G10/00, A61G13/10RLegal EventsDateCodeEventDescriptionOct 15, 2002ASAssignmentOwner name: HILL-ROM SERVICES, INC., INDIANAFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:GALLANT, DENNIS J.;LANCI, DENNIS M.;REEL/FRAME:013384/0189;SIGNING DATES FROM 20020808 TO 20020912RotateOriginal ImageGoogle Home - Sitemap - USPTO Bulk Downloads - Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - About Google Patents - Send FeedbackData provided by IFI CLAIMS Patent Services©2012 Google