Patent ID: 7030764

Claim:
An apparatus for reducing the risk of occurrence of decubitus ulcers in a patient at rest on a support surface, wherein is provided a predetermined patient turn interval, comprising: (a) a patient location sensor for determining at least approximately a location of the patient on the support surface, wherein said patient location sensor comprises a chair mat; (b) a time circuit; (c) a microprocessor in electronic communication with said patient location sensor and said time circuit, said microprocessor at least for (c1) determining from said time circuit and said patient location sensor a time since the patient last significantly changed location, and, (c2) initiating a signal indicative of a state of the patient depending on at least said patient location and said time since the patient last significantly changed location; and, (d) an alarm in electronic communication with said microprocessor and responsive thereto, said alarm at least for responding to said signal indicative of a state of the patient to produce an alarm signal.