A patient support apparatus comprising: a support frame configured to support a patient in a plurality of positions including a horizontal position; a first sensing device supported on a component of the patient support apparatus; a second sensing device supported on the component, the second sensing device being a different type of sensing device than the first sensing device ; and a control module , removably coupled to a siderail , in communication with the first sensing device and the second sensing device to verify the identity of a person based on first identity information received by the first sensing device and second identity information received by the second sensing device , the first identity information being different than the second identity information, wherein: the first sensing device and the second sensing device are coupled to the control module ; the siderail has mounted thereto a plurality of bed function controls ; the control module is configured to analyse vital signs data produced by the second sensing device 138, 518, the second sensing device being a pulse oximeter sensor apparatus, to determine a vital signs signature for the person for comparison to stored vital signs signatures to verify the identity of the person; and the control module initiates at least one electronically-controllable function of the patient support apparatus in response to the vital signs data. a support frame configured to support a patient in a plurality of positions including a horizontal position; a first sensing device supported on a component of the patient support apparatus; a second sensing device supported on the component, the second sensing device being a different type of sensing device than the first sensing device ; and a control module , removably coupled to a siderail , in communication with the first sensing device and the second sensing device to verify the identity of a person based on first identity information received by the first sensing device and second identity information received by the second sensing device , the first identity information being different than the second identity information, wherein: the first sensing device and the second sensing device are coupled to the control module ; the siderail has mounted thereto a plurality of bed function controls ; the control module is configured to analyse vital signs data produced by the second sensing device 138, 518, the second sensing device being a pulse oximeter sensor apparatus, to determine a vital signs signature for the person for comparison to stored vital signs signatures to verify the identity of the person; and the control module initiates at least one electronically-controllable function of the patient support apparatus in response to the vital signs data. the first sensing device and the second sensing device are coupled to the control module ; the siderail has mounted thereto a plurality of bed function controls ; the control module is configured to analyse vital signs data produced by the second sensing device 138, 518, the second sensing device being a pulse oximeter sensor apparatus, to determine a vital signs signature for the person for comparison to stored vital signs signatures to verify the identity of the person; and the control module initiates at least one electronically-controllable function of the patient support apparatus in response to the vital signs data. <EOS>