Patient support apparatus with caregiver reminders

Abstract

A patient support apparatus such as a bed, a hospital bed, a stretcher, an operating table, a recliner, etc. includes a patient support structure, a user interface, a display, a plurality of lights, and a controller. The user interface includes the display and a plurality of control buttons for configuring different components of the patient support apparatus. The controller uses the lights and / or the display to issue one or more reminders to a caregiver before the caregiver walks away from the patient support apparatus to put the patient support apparatus in a desired configuration. The reminders help to ensure that the caregiver properly configures the patient support apparatus. In some embodiments, the reminders include pulsing the lights in an unobtrusive but easily visible manner until the proper configuration is completed. The reminders can also be implemented by disabling certain functions until the patient support apparatus is properly configured.

Description

BACKGROUND

[0002] The present invention relates to patient support apparatuses, such as beds, cots, stretchers, surgical tables, recliners, and the like. More particularly, the present invention relates to patient support apparatuses that include one or more components that can be placed in different states.

[0003] Conventional patient support apparatuses include a base, a stretcher, a support deck on which a patient is supported, a lifting system for raising and lowering the stretcher relative to the base, a joint system for articulating one or more sections of the support deck. Control of these and other systems of the patient support apparatus is provided through a user interface on a foot pedal of the patient support apparatus or on one or more siderails. Often, the user interface is complicated to operate, making the user interface difficult to operate.

[0004] Most healthcare facilities expect their caregivers to ensure that patient support apparatuses are configured in a particular manner (e.g., one or more components are in a desired state). These expectations are in addition to many other responsibilities of the caregivers, and in many cases, the responsibility of ensuring that the patient support apparatus is properly configured can be overlooked and / or forgotten. SUMMARY

[0005] According to various embodiments, an improved patient support apparatus is provided that is configured to provide a caregiver with a reminder to assist the caregiver in configuring the patient support apparatus in a desired manner prior to the caregiver leaving a room in which the patient support apparatus is located. The reminder can be provided in a variety of ways, including an initial reminder screen that is presented on a display of the patient support apparatus and a continuous, soft pulsing of lights disposed near a perimeter of a portion of the patient support apparatus. The pulsing of the plurality of different lights can follow a sinusoidal pattern, or some other pattern in which the light intensity is gently increased and gently decreased, thereby providing a gentle visual reminder to the caregiver of the unperformed configuration task, rather than a jarring visual reminder such as presented by a square or near-square wave. The gentle pulsing can also have a frequency on the order of 2-4 seconds, which is close to a person's breathing and noticeable but not annoying. In addition, the plurality of different lights are configured to pulse synchronously with each other and to continue pulsing as long as any task on a list of configuration tasks remains unperformed, thereby continuously providing a gentle and easily seen reminder to the caregiver that the patient support apparatus is not properly configured. The lights are oriented away from the patient and are not easily seen by the patient, thereby preventing any visual distraction to the patient while the patient support apparatus remains incompletely configured. Additionally or alternatively, the patient support apparatus can be configured to not perform certain functions until one or more configuration tasks are completed, thereby providing an additional incentive to the caregiver to properly and completely configure the patient support apparatus.

[0006] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a patient support apparatus is provided that includes a support structure, a plurality of wheels, an exit detection system, a sensor, a display, and a controller. The support structure includes a patient support surface adapted to support a patient thereon. The plurality of wheels facilitates transport of the patient support apparatus over the ground. The exit detection system is configured to be in an armed or disarmed state and adapted to issue an alert when the exit detection system is armed and a patient exits the patient support surface. The sensor is adapted to detect a state of a component of the patient support apparatus. The controller is configured to determine whether the component is in a first state or a second state, to prevent the exit detection system from being armed when the component is in the first state, and to enable the exit detection system to be in an armed state when the component is in the second state.

[0007] According to another aspect of the present invention, the controller is further configured to display an alert screen on the display when the component is in the first state. In some embodiments, the alert screen includes a status control button configured to enable a user to change the state of the component from the first state to the second state when the status control button is pressed. Alternatively or additionally, the alert screen includes an ignore control button configured to enable a user to clear the alert screen from the display when the ignore control button is pressed.

[0008] In some embodiments, the patient support apparatus further includes a first guardrail including an inner surface facing the patient and an outer surface facing away from the patient, a first light connected to the outer surface of the first guardrail, a second guardrail opposite the first guardrail and including an inner surface facing the patient and an outer surface facing away from the patient, a second light connected to the outer surface of the second guardrail, and a third light connected to a foot end of the support structure. The controller is further adapted to pulse the first, second, and third lights in a synchronized manner until the component is changed to the second state.

[0009] In some embodiments, the controller is configured to pulse the first, second, and third lights in a sinusoidal manner having a frequency greater than one pulse per second. The controller can be further configured to continue pulsing the first, second, and third lights after the component is changed to the second state but while the exit detection system is in the disarmed state, and to continue until the exit detection system is in the armed state.

[0010] In some embodiments, the component is a brake, the sensor is a brake sensor, the first state is a deactivated state of the brake, and the second state is an activated state of the brake.

[0011] In some embodiments, the component is a nurse call interface configured to communicatively connect to a nurse call system jack mounted to a wall of a healthcare facility, the sensor is a nurse call communication sensor adapted to detect whether the nurse call interface is communicatively connected to the nurse call system jack, the first state is a state in which the nurse call interface is not communicatively connected to the nurse call system jack, and the second state is a state in which the nurse call interface is communicatively connected to the nurse call system jack.

[0012] In some embodiments, the nurse call communication sensor is a sensor adapted to detect whether a nurse call cable is connected between the nurse call interface and the nurse call system jack.

[0013] In some embodiments, the controller is further configured to flash the first, second and third lights in a synchronized manner when the exit detection system is armed and a patient is off the patient support surface, and to flash the first, second and third lights at a frequency different from the frequency at which the controller is configured to pulse the first, second and third lights. The flashing of the first, second and third lights can be in a non-sinusoidal manner. Alternatively, the flashing of these lights can also be in a different color from the color used by the controller when it is configured to pulse the first, second and third lights.

[0014] According to another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a patient support apparatus comprising a support structure, a plurality of wheels, a monitoring system, a sensor, a display and a controller. The support structure comprises a patient support surface adapted to support a patient thereon. The plurality of wheels facilitates transportation of the patient support apparatus over a floor surface. The monitoring system is configured to monitor a plurality of conditions of the patient support apparatus and to issue an alert when any of the plurality of monitored conditions changes to an undesirable state while the monitoring system is in an armed state. The sensor is adapted to detect a state of a component of the patient support apparatus. The controller is adapted to determine whether the component is in a first state or a second state, to prevent the monitoring system from being armed when the component is in the first state, and to enable the monitoring system to be in the armed state when the component is in the second state.

[0015] According to other aspects of the present invention, the controller is configured to display a reminder screen on the display when the component is in the first state. The reminder screen can include a state control button configured to enable a user to change the state of the component from the first state to the second state when the state control button is pressed. Alternatively or additionally, the reminder screen includes an ignore control button configured to enable a user to clear the reminder screen from the display when the ignore control button is pressed.

[0016] In some embodiments, the patient support apparatus further comprises: a first rail including an inner surface facing the patient and an outer surface facing away from the patient; a first light connected to the outer surface of the first rail; a second rail opposite the first rail and including an inner surface facing the patient and an outer surface facing away from the patient; a second light connected to the outer surface of the second rail; and a third light connected to the foot end of the support structure. The controller is further adapted to pulse the first, second, and third lights in a synchronized manner until the component is changed to the second state.

[0017] In some embodiments, the controller is further adapted to continue pulsing the first, second, and third lights after the component is changed to the second state but while the monitoring system is in the disarmed state, and continue until the monitoring system is in the armed state.

[0018] In some embodiments, the sensor is a brake sensor, the first state is a brake deactivated state, and the second state is a brake activated state.

[0019] In some embodiments, the component is a nurse call interface configured to communicatively connect to a nurse call system jack mounted to an end wall of a healthcare facility, the sensor is a nurse call communication sensor adapted to detect whether the nurse call interface is communicatively connected to the nurse call system jack, the first state is a state in which the nurse call interface is not communicatively connected to the nurse call system jack, and the second state is a state in which the nurse call interface is communicatively connected to the nurse call system jack.

[0020] In some embodiments, the controller is further configured to flash the first, second, and third lights in a synchronized manner when any of the plurality of monitored conditions changes to an undesirable state while the monitoring system is armed. In these embodiments, the controller is configured to flash the first, second, and third lights at a different frequency than the frequency at which the controller is configured to pulse the first, second, and third lights.

[0021] According to another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a patient support apparatus comprising a support structure, a light, a display, and a controller. The support structure comprises a patient support surface adapted to support a patient thereon. The controller is configured to detect whether a component of the patient support apparatus is in a desired state or an undesirable state; display a reminder screen on the display and activate the light when the component of the patient support apparatus is in the undesirable state; clear the reminder screen from the display when a user presses an ignore control button on the reminder screen; and continue to activate the light after the reminder screen is cleared until the component of the patient support apparatus is in the desired state.

[0022] In some embodiments, the lights include at least first, second, and third lights. In some embodiments, the first light is connected to an outer surface of the first rail, the second light is connected to an outer surface of the second rail, and the third light is connected to the foot end of the support structure.

[0023] The controller can be configured to activate the lights by pulsing the first, second, and third lights in a synchronized manner until the components change to the desired state.

[0024] The components can be a brake, a power cord, an exit detection system, a monitoring system, or a nurse call interface. In some embodiments, the controller is adapted to display a reminder screen for each of the components when the components are in the respective undesired state, and to continue to activate the lights until each of the components changes to the respective desired state.

[0025] In some embodiments, the controller is further adapted to continue to pulse the first, second, and third lights when the components change to the desired state but a second component remains in a second undesired state. In these embodiments, the components can be a brake, and the second component can include any one or more of: (a) a power cord adapted to be in a first state in which the power cord is plugged into a power outlet and a second state in which the power cord is unplugged from the power outlet, wherein the second undesired state is the second state; (b) an exit detection system adapted to be in an armed state and a disarmed state, wherein the second undesired state is the disarmed state; (c) a monitoring system adapted to be in an armed state and a disarmed state, wherein the second undesired state is the disarmed state; (d) a nurse call interface adapted to be in a first state in which the nurse call interface is communicatively connected to a nurse call system jack mounted on a terminal wall of a healthcare facility and a second state in which the nurse call interface is not communicatively connected to the nurse call system jack, wherein the second undesired state is the second state; or (e) a wireless network transceiver adapted to be in a first state in which the wireless network transceiver is able to communicate with a local area network of the healthcare facility and a second state in which the wireless network transceiver is not able to communicate with the local area network, wherein the second undesired state is the second state.

[0026] In some embodiments, the controller is configured to clear the reminder screen from the display in response to the component of the patient support apparatus changing from the undesirable state to the desirable state, but continue to activate the light after clearing the reminder screen from the display if any of the second, third, or fourth components of the patient support apparatus are in the second, third, or fourth undesirable states, respectively. The second component can be a power cord adapted to be plugged into an electrical outlet, in which case the second undesirable state corresponds to the power cord being unplugged from the electrical outlet. The third component can be an exit detection system, in which case the third undesirable state corresponds to the exit detection system being disarmed. The fourth component can be a monitoring system, in which case the fourth undesirable state corresponds to the monitoring system being disarmed.

[0027] In some embodiments, the controller is configured to cause the display to operate in an awake mode and a sleep mode, wherein the controller is further configured to continue to activate the light after switching from the awake mode to the sleep mode until the component of the patient support apparatus is in the desirable state. In these embodiments, the controller can be further configured to redisplay the reminder screen after switching from the sleep mode to the awake mode if the component is not in the desirable state.

[0028] In some embodiments, the patient support apparatus further comprises a footboard and a dashboard mounted to the footboard. The dashboard comprises an icon corresponding to the component and a fourth light. The fourth light is positioned behind the icon and is adapted to back light the icon when the fourth light is activated. The controller can be further adapted to pulse the fourth light in synchronization with the first, second, and third lights.

[0029] In some embodiments, the controller is configured to stop the pulsing of the first, second, and third lights in a synchronized manner only when the component changes to the desirable state and a set of additional components each change to a corresponding desirable state. When the component is in the desirable state and the set of additional components are in the corresponding desirable states, the controller can be configured to continue to activate the first, second, and third lights in a second color. The second color is different from the color in which the controller pulses the first, second, and third lights.

[0030] According to another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a patient support apparatus comprising a support structure, an exit detection system, a user interface, a reminder light, and a controller. The support structure comprises a patient support surface adapted to support a patient thereon. The exit detection system is configured to sound an alarm when the exit detection system is armed and the patient exits the patient support surface. The user interface comprises an exit control button adapted to cause the patient support surface to move to an exit orientation. The controller is configured to activate the reminder light when the user presses the exit control button and the exit detection system is currently armed, and not to activate the reminder light when the user presses the exit control button but the exit detection system is not currently in an armed state.

[0031] In some embodiments, the patient support apparatus further comprises a guard connected to the support structure and a user interface connected to the guard.

[0032] In some embodiments, the user interface comprises an override control button adapted to disengage the exit detection system and the alert light is a back light adapted to back light the override control button.

[0033] In some embodiments, the controller is configured to activate the alert light by flashing the alert light on and off.

[0034] In some embodiments, the controller is configured to deactivate the alert light after activating the alert light in response to the user disengaging the exit detection system.

[0035] In some embodiments, the activation of the alert light comprises changing the color of the light emitted from the alert light such that the alert light is activated in a first color before the user presses the egress control button while the exit detection system is currently armed and the alert light is activated in a second color after the user presses the egress control button while the exit detection system is currently armed.

[0036] In some embodiments, the patient support apparatus further comprises a sensor adapted to detect a state of a component of the patient support apparatus and a display. In these embodiments, the controller is configured to determine whether the component is in a first state or a second state, prevent the exit detection system from being armed when the component is in the first state, and enable the exit detection system to be in an armed state when the component is in the second state.

[0037] Additionally, the patient support apparatus can further comprise a monitoring system configured to monitor a plurality of conditions of the patient support apparatus and to sound an alarm when any of the plurality of monitored conditions changes to an undesirable state while in the armed state. In these embodiments, the controller can be further configured to prevent the monitoring system from being armed when the component is in the first state, and enable the monitoring system to be in an armed state when the component is in the second state.

[0038] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a patient support apparatus is provided comprising a support structure, an alarm system, a display, a memory, and a controller. The support structure comprises a patient support surface adapted to support a patient thereon. The alarm system is configured to be in an armed or disarmed state and to sound an alarm when armed and the alarm system detects an alarm condition. The memory comprises a desired state stored therein that the alarm system needs to be in. The controller is configured to determine a current state of the alarm system, and to sound an alert to change the alarm system to the desired state when the alarm system is not in the desired state.

[0039] In some embodiments, the alert includes an alert screen displayed on the display. The alert screen can include an arming control button configured to enable the user to automatically arm the alarm system, wherein upon the user pressing the arming control button, the controller operates to arm the alarm system and clear the alert screen from the display.

[0040] In some embodiments, the alarm system includes at least one of an exit detection system and a monitoring system. The exit detection system is adapted to sound an alarm when the patient exits from the support surface, and the monitoring system is adapted to sound an alarm when any of a plurality of conditions of the patient support apparatus changes to an undesirable state.

[0041] The patient support apparatus can also include first, second, and third lights, and the controller can be configured to sound the alert by pulsing the first, second, and third lights in a synchronized manner when the alarm system is not in the desired state.

[0042] In some embodiments, the controller is further configured to display an alert screen on the display when the alarm system is not in the desired state, clear the alert screen from the display upon the user pressing an ignore control button on the alert screen, and continue pulsing the first, second, and third lights until the alarm system of the patient support apparatus is in the desired state.

[0043] In some embodiments, the controller is further configured to operate the display in a wake mode and a sleep mode, continue pulsing the first, second, and third lights after switching from the wake mode to the sleep mode until the alarm system of the patient support apparatus is in the desired state. The controller can also be configured to re-display the alert screen on the display if the alarm system is not in the desired state after switching from the sleep mode to the wake mode.

[0044] In some embodiments, the patient support apparatus further includes a footboard and a dashboard mounted to the footboard. The dashboard includes an icon corresponding to the alarm system and a fourth light. The fourth light is positioned behind the icon and is adapted to back light the icon when the fourth light is activated. The controller is also adapted to pulse the fourth light in synchronization with the first, second, and third lights.

[0045] In some embodiments, the patient support apparatus further includes a first user interface and a second user interface. The first user interface is connected to the first guardrail and includes a first control button for arming the alarm system and a first back light for illuminating the first control button. The second user interface is connected to the second guardrail and includes a second control button for arming the alarm system and a second back light for illuminating the second control button. The controller is also adapted to pulse the first back light and the second back light in synchronization with the first, second, and third lights.

[0046] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a method for operating a patient support device is provided. The method includes determining whether a component of the patient support device is in a first state or a second state. The first state includes a state of not being ready to leave the detection system, and the second state includes a state of being ready to leave the detection system. The method further includes automatically disabling a standby control button on the user interface of the patient support device for enabling standby to leave the detection system when it is determined that the component is in the first state of not being ready to leave the detection system.

[0047] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a method for operating a patient support device is provided. The method includes determining whether a component of the patient support device is in a first state or a second state. The first state includes a state where the monitoring system is not ready to standby, and the second state includes a state where the monitoring system is ready to standby. The method further includes automatically disabling a standby control button on the user interface of the patient support device for enabling the monitoring system to standby when it is determined that the component is in the first state where the monitoring system is not ready to standby.

[0048] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a method for operating a patient support device is provided. The method includes determining whether a feature of the patient support device is in a desired or undesirable state. If the feature is in an undesirable state, the method includes displaying an alert screen on a user interface and activating a light. The method further includes clearing the alert screen from the display while continuing to activate the light when the user presses an ignore control button on the alert screen, and continuing to activate the light until the feature of the patient support device is in a desired state.

[0049] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a method for operating a patient support device is provided. The method includes storing a state required by the monitoring system in a memory, and issuing an alert when the current standby state of the monitoring system is deactivated but the required state of the monitoring system is a standby state.

[0050] The various embodiments disclosed herein have been described in detail above. It should be understood that the invention is not limited to the operational details, construction details, or component arrangements presented in the following description or shown in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments described herein can be implemented or performed in alternative ways not explicitly disclosed herein. Furthermore, it should be understood that the wording and terminology used herein are for descriptive purposes and should not be considered limiting. The use of "comprising" and "including" and variations thereof is intended to include the items listed thereafter and their equivalents, as well as other items and their equivalents. In addition, enumeration may be used in the description of several different embodiments. Unless expressly indicated, the use of enumeration should not be construed as limiting the invention to a particular order or number of components. The use of enumeration should also not be construed as excluding any additional steps or components that may be combined with or included therein from the scope of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0051] Figure 1 a perspective view of a patient support apparatus having first and second user interfaces according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0052] Figure 2 a perspective view of a patient support apparatus having first and second user interfaces according to an embodiment of the present application; Figure 1 a partial perspective view of a first user interface shown in

[0053] Figure 3 a partial perspective view of a second user interface shown in Figure 1

[0054] Figure 4 a schematic view of a patient support apparatus and various components of its environment, including a first user interface and a sensor system;

[0055] Figure 5 an illustrative brake reminder screen that can be displayed on a display of a first user interface;

[0056] Figure 6 an illustrative nurse call reminder screen that can be displayed on a display of a first user interface;

[0057] Figure 7 an illustrative power reminder screen that can be displayed on a display of a first user interface;

[0058] Figure 8 an illustrative Wi-Fi reminder screen that can be displayed on a display of a first user interface;

[0059] Figure 9 an illustrative bed exit reminder screen that can be displayed on a display of a first user interface;

[0060] Figure 10 an illustrative bed monitor reminder screen that can be displayed on a display of a first user interface;

[0061] Figure 11 an illustrative underlay settings screen that can be displayed on a display of a first user interface;

[0062] Figures 12A-12B a flowchart of a reminder management algorithm executed by a controller associated with a first and / or second user interface;

[0063] Figure 13 an outbound reminder algorithm executed by a controller. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0064] An illustrative patient support apparatus 30 incorporating one or more aspects of the present application is shown in Figure 1 FIG. 1. Although Figure 1 ​The patient support apparatus 30 shown in the specific form in the figures is a bed suitable for use in a hospital or other medical facility, it being understood that in different embodiments the patient support apparatus 30 can be a hospital bed, a stretcher, a wheel chair, a recliner, an operating table, a residential bed, or any other structure capable of supporting a person, whether stationary or movable, and / or whether medical or residential.

[0065] The support structure 32 provides support for a patient. Figure 1 The support structure 32 shown in the figures includes a base 34 and a support 36. The base 34 includes a base frame 35. The support 36 is above and spaced apart from the base frame 35. Figure 1 The support structure 32 further includes a patient support deck 38 disposed on the support 36. The patient support deck 38 includes segments, some of which are articulably connected (e.g., pivotable about an axis) relative to the support 36, such as a back (Fowler) segment 41, a hip segment 43, a leg segment 45, and a foot segment 47. The patient support deck 38 provides a patient support surface 42 on which a patient is supported. A lift system 37 can be connected to the support structure 32 to raise and lower the support 36, the patient support deck 38, and the patient support surface 42 to different heights relative to the base frame 35, including to a lowest height relative to the base frame 35. Such a lift system 37 can be similar to that described in U.S. Patent Application 2017 / 0246065, entitled “Lift Assembly For Patient Support Apparatus,” filed February 22, 2017, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

[0066] During use, a mattress (not shown) is disposed on the patient support deck 38. The mattress includes a second patient support surface on which a patient is supported. Each of the base 34, the support 36, the patient support deck 38, and the patient support surface 42 has a head end and a foot end, corresponding to the specified placement of the patient’s head and feet on the patient support apparatus 30. The base 34 includes a longitudinal axis LI along its length from the head end to the foot end. The support structure 32 can be constructed in any known or conventional design, not limited to the specific design set forth above.

[0067] Patient side rails such as the rails 44, 46, 48, 50 are connected to the legs 36 and / or the patient support deck 38 so as to be supported by the base 34. The first rail 44 is located at the right head end. The second rail 46 is located at the right foot end. The third rail 48 is located at the left head end. The fourth rail 50 is located at the left foot end. In the illustrated embodiment, the head end rails 44, 48 are mounted to the back section 41 so as to move with the back section 41. The foot end rails 46, 50 are mounted to the legs 36 so as to move with the legs 36. If the patient support apparatus 30 is a stretcher or a bed, there can be fewer rails. The rails 44, 46, 48, 50 are movable relative to the back section 41 / legs 36 to an elevated position in which the rails 44, 46, 48, 50 block ingress and egress of the patient support apparatus 30, one or more intermediate positions, and a lowered position in which the rails 44, 46, 48, 50 do not impede the aforementioned ingress and egress. In the illustrated embodiment, the rails 44, 46, 48, 50 are connected to the back section 41 and / or the legs 36 by pivot support arms to form a four-bar linkage. The aforementioned rails and the manner in which they can be raised / lowered are shown and described in U.S. Patent Application 2017 / 0172829, filed December 15, 2016, entitled Powered Side Rail For A Patient Support Apparatus, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

[0068] The head plate 52 and the foot plate 54 are connected to the legs 36. The head plate 52 and the foot plate 54 can be connected to any location on the patient support apparatus 30, such as the legs 36 or the base 34. In other embodiments, the patient support apparatus 30 does not include the head plate 52 and / or the foot plate 54.

[0069] Caregiver interfaces 56 such as handles are shown integrated within the head plate 52, the foot plate 54, and the rails 44, 46, 48, 50 to facilitate moving the patient support apparatus 30 over the floor surface F. Additional caregiver interfaces 56 can be integrated within other components of the patient support apparatus 30. The caregiver interfaces 56 can be grasped by a caregiver to manipulate the patient support apparatus 30 to move, move the rails 44, 46, 48, 50, and so on.

[0070] Wheels 58 are connected to base 34 to facilitate transport over ground surface F. Wheels 58 are disposed in each of the four quarters of base 34 adjacent the corners of base 34. In the illustrated embodiment, wheels 58 are casters that are able to swivel and rotate relative to support structure 32 during transport. Each wheel 58 forms part of a caster assembly 60. Each caster assembly 60 is mounted to base 34. A brake 61 can be associated with one or more of wheels 58 to, when active, prevent rotation of the wheel. Brake 61 can be manually activated or electronically activated. It should be appreciated that a variety of different caster assembly 60 and / or brake 61 configurations are contemplated. Further, in some embodiments, wheels 58 are not casters, but can be non-steerable, steerable, non-motorized, motorized wheels, or combinations thereof. Additional wheels are also contemplated. For example, patient support apparatus 30 can include four non-motorized, non-steerable wheels and one or more motorized wheels. In some cases, patient support apparatus 30 can not include any wheels.

[0071] In other embodiments, one or more (motorized or non-motorized) auxiliary wheels that are movable between a stowed position and a deployed position can be connected to support structure 32. In some cases, when these auxiliary wheels are positioned between caster assemblies 60 and contact ground surface F in the deployed position, the auxiliary wheels cause two of caster assemblies 60 to be lifted off of ground surface F, thereby shortening the wheelbase of patient support apparatus 30. A fifth wheel can also be substantially disposed in the center of base 34.

[0072] The mechanical configuration of the patient support apparatus 30 can be identical or nearly identical to that of the Model 3002S3 bed manufactured and sold by Stryker Corporation of Kalamazoo, Michigan. This mechanical configuration is described in detail in the Stryker Maintenance Manual for the Model 3002S3 MedSurg Bed, published by Stryker Corporation of Kalamazoo, Michigan in 2010, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the patient support apparatus 30 can be designed to have other types of mechanical configurations, such as but not limited to those described in U.S. Patent 7,690,059, entitled "Hospital Bed," issued April 6, 2010, and / or U.S. Patent 8,689,376, entitled "Patient Handling Device Including Local Status Indication, One-Touch Fowler Angle Adjustment, and Power-On Alarm Configuration," issued April 8, 2014, the disclosures of both of which are hereby incorporated by reference. The mechanical configuration of the patient support apparatus 30 can also take forms other than those disclosed in the above-referenced documents.

[0073] In addition, the patient support apparatus 30 includes user interfaces 62 supported by the support structure 32 of the patient support apparatus 30. Although shown at the foot end of the patient support apparatus 30, the user interfaces 62 can be provided at the head end and / or one or more sides of the patient support apparatus 30. More specifically, one or more user interfaces 62 can be connected to the headboard 52, the footboard 54, and / or the siderails 44, 46, 48, 50, or any other suitable location via fasteners, welding, snap connections, etc. In some versions, each user interface 62 includes a separate housing that is fixed to the headboard 52, the footboard 54, and / or the siderails 44, 46, 48, 50, or other suitable location. In other versions, the housings of the user interfaces 62 are integrated within the headboard 52, the footboard 54, and / or the siderails 44, 46, 48, 50. In at least one embodiment, one of the user interfaces 62 is connected to the footboard 54 of the patient support apparatus 30, and the other user interfaces 62 are connected to one or more of the siderails 44, 46, 48, 50. The user interface 62 connected to the footboard 54 will be described in detail, but features and functionality to be described can be equally applied to the other user interfaces 62 that can be located elsewhere on the patient support apparatus 30.

[0074] Figure 2A perspective view of the user interface 62 connected to the footboard 54 is shown. The user interface 62 includes a display 64a. The display 64a can be a touch screen type display, although it should be understood that a non-touch screen display can also be used. As will be described in detail below, the display 64a displays one or more visual indicators, one or more control buttons, and / or one or more control screens. The display 64a can include an LED display, an OLED display, or another type of display.

[0075] The display 64a is configured to display a plurality of different screens thereon, Figure 2 Only one of which is shown in FIG. 15. Specifically, Figure 2 The display 64a shown in FIG. 15 displays a motion control screen 154. The motion control screen 154 includes a plurality of motion control buttons 107a-i that, when touched, cause the associated components of the patient support apparatus 20 to move. Thus, for example, pressing and holding the motion control button 107c causes the back section 41 to be rotated upward, while pressing and holding the motion control button 107d causes the back section 41 to be rotated downward. If the user wishes to control other aspects of the patient support apparatus 20 in addition to movement, he or she can jump to a different screen that includes different control buttons and / or other information about the patient support apparatus. Thus, for example, if the user presses the navigation control button 66a, the user interface 62 displays an exit detection control screen (not shown) that enables the user to control a plurality of different aspects of the exit detection system 150. If the user presses the navigation control button 66b, the user interface 62 displays a bed monitor control screen (not shown) that enables the user to control a plurality of different aspects of the bed monitoring system 150. If the user presses the navigation control button 66c, the user interface 62 displays a scale screen (not shown) that enables the user to take a patient weight reading and / or control other aspects of the scale system. Further, if the user presses the home navigation control button 66d, the user interface 60 displays a home screen that, in some embodiments, includes control buttons for evaluating all of the functions of the patient support apparatus 20.

[0076] In some embodiments, if the user presses the navigation control button 66a, the patient support apparatus 30 is configured to not only display the exit detection control screen, but also automatically arm the exit detection system 150. In the foregoing embodiment, the patient support apparatus 30 can also be configured to display the bed monitoring screen and automatically arm the bed monitoring system 152 in response to the user touching the navigation control button 66b. Further details of the operation of these navigation control buttons 66a and 66b are disclosed in U.S. Patent Application 62 / 868,240, filed on June 28, 2019, by inventors Kurosh Nahavandi et al., entitled “Patient Support Apparatus with Improved User Interface,” the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

[0077] In some embodiments, the user interface 62 also includes a dashboard 64b Figure 2 that communicates the current status of a plurality of different conditions of the patient support apparatus 30 to the caregiver. The dashboard 64b includes a plurality of icons 70 that are illuminated by icon lights 68 to serve as visual indicators for indicating the current status of different conditions of the patient support apparatus 30. For example, a first icon 70a (e.g., an illustrated symbol of an overhead bed alarm) is backlit by a corresponding light 68 when the exit detection system 150 is armed; a second icon 70b (e.g., an illustrated symbol of an eye) is backlit by a second light 68 when the bed monitoring system 150 is armed; a third icon 70c (e.g., an illustrated symbol of an arrow and a bed) is backlit by a third light 68 when the bed is at its lowest height (or below a threshold height); a fourth icon 70d (e.g., an illustrated symbol of a removed AC power cord) is backlit by a fourth light 68 when the patient support apparatus 20 is plugged into a wall outlet; and a fifth icon 70e (e.g., an illustrated symbol of a lock and a wheel) is backlit by a fifth light 68 when the vibrator is activated. The lights behind these icons 70a-e can be controlled to illuminate in different colors depending on what state the associated condition is currently in (e.g., brake deactivated, exit detection system 150 disarmed, etc.), and / or one or more of them can not be illuminated at all when the associated condition is in another state. Fewer or additional icons 70 can be included as part of the dashboard 64b. The plurality of icons 70 can be front surface non-electrified components on the dashboard 64b of the user interface 62, such that the plurality of icons 70 are only visible to the caregiver when illuminated by the icon lights 68 supported in the housing of the user interface 62.

[0078] Unlike display 64a, instrument panel 64b retains illumination of one or more of icons 70a-e at all times. That is, in some embodiments, display 64a is configured to go to sleep (blank) after a predetermined period of non-use. However, instrument panel 64b retains illumination of a number of different icons 70 even after display 64a goes blank, thereby providing information to the caregiver about the status of patient support apparatus 30 when display 64a is blank. Thus, for example, if the brake is not engaged and icon 70e is illuminated in amber or red, the illumination remains as long as the brake remains unengaged, even if display 64a times out and goes to sleep (or becomes blank).

[0079] Still referring to Figure 2 One or more reflective surfaces 76 can be located on patient support apparatus 30 proximate to user interface 62. Reflective surfaces 76 can be disposed relative to user interface 62 such that one or more indirect lights 78a supported by the housing of user interface 62 project light away from user interface 62 toward reflective surfaces 76, which will be reflected outwardly from patient support apparatus 30 by reflective surfaces 76 to serve as another visual indicator. Indirect lights 78a can be located at the bottom of the housing of user interface 62 to project light away from the bottom of the housing toward reflective surfaces 76. Thus, indirect lights 78a can be hidden from view by the housing. Light can be reflected, for example, in several directions, including generally horizontal directions, to be easily seen by a caregiver at a distance from patient support apparatus 30. As shown in FIG. 6, one of reflective surfaces 76 is disposed beneath user interface 62 to reflect light away from patient support apparatus 30 in one example. Reflective surfaces 76 can be the surface of footboard 54, or can be any surface capable of reflecting light from indirect lights 78a, and can occur elsewhere on patient support apparatus 30. Similar reflective surfaces 76 can exist on headboard 52 and / or one or more siderails 44, 46, 48, 50 to reflect light from other user interfaces 62. Figure 2

[0080] ​In many embodiments, the reflective surface 76 is adjusted to produce diffuse reflection, rather than specular reflection. That is, the surface 76 is not a mirror, but rather a colored surface that scatters light emanating from the light 78a in multiple directions and / or at many angles. In many embodiments, the surface 76 is colored white or off-white, such that the color content of the light emanating from the indirect light 78a is not substantially changed after reflection from the surface 76. The color of the light emanating from the indirect light 78a is variable, in several embodiments including the same palette as the icon light 68. For example, in at least one embodiment, the indirect light 78a can emit three different colors of light: amber, red, and green, the icon light 68 also being capable of emitting the same, three colors of light. It should be understood that the term "light" as used herein is broad enough to cover multiple LEDs, light bulbs, or other light-emitting structures, such that the term "light" includes structures in which one LED, light bulb, or similar structure is used to emit a first color, a second LED, light bulb, or similar structure is used to emit a second color, and so on.

[0081] The indirect light 78a is configured to emit light constantly at some times, in a pulsed manner at other times, and in a flashing manner at still other times. The times at which the first and second lights are configured to be controlled in this manner, as well as the colors of light to which they are adapted to emit, are described in detail below.

[0082] The icon light 68 and the indirect light 78 can each include an RGB LED (red-green-blue light-emitting diode). The icon light 68 and / or the indirect light 78 can include a single RGB LED or can include multiple LEDs. The icon light 68 and the indirect light 78 can also include one or more incandescent lights, halogen lights, neon lights, fluorescent tubes, and / or any other type of light-emitting device. In some embodiments, the patient support apparatus 20 includes one or more direct lights 102 located on the side of the user interface 62 that emit light through a light-transmissive cover C connected to the housing of the user interface 62. Figure 2 When direct lights 102 are included, the direct lights 102 are controlled in synchronization with the indirect light 78a, as described in detail below.

[0083] In some embodiments, additional user interfaces can be present on the patient support apparatus 30, spaced apart from the user interface 62. Figure 3 A perspective view of a user interface 80 connected to the guardrail 44 is shown. Similar user interfaces 80 can be located on the opposite guardrail. These user interfaces 80 can have more or fewer functions than the user interface 62, and can have their own displays, indicator screens with associated icons, and / or reflective surfaces that project light outward from the guardrail.

[0084] User interface 80 includes multiple control buttons and one or more visual indicators. The control buttons include a bed orientation control button 84 with an associated icon 86; a control button 88 for raising and lowering the support plate portion of the back section 41 and leg section 45 of the patient support plate 38 relative to the support frame 36; a bed height control button 90 for operating the lifting system 37 to raise and lower the support frame 36, the patient support plate 38, and the patient support surface 42 to different heights relative to the base frame 35; and a brake control button 92 for operating the brake 61 (e.g., opening and closing the brake 61).

[0085] like Figure 3 As shown, in one embodiment, the plurality of bed orientation control buttons 84 include an exit control button 84a, which is represented on the interface by a first icon 86a (e.g., an associated icon representing a patient leaving the bed). The exit control button 84a is a user input device associated with facilitating the patient's exit from the patient support device 30. Pressing the exit control button 84a reconfigures the patient support device 30 to a position or "exit orientation" that makes it easier to leave the patient support device. The same control button 84a or a similar control button (not shown) may be used to enable entry into the patient support device.

[0086] Other bed orientation control buttons include a head-down, feet-up control button 84b for reconfiguring the patient support device 30 to a head-down, feet-up position, indicated on the interface by a second icon 86b (e.g., a related icon representing the patient in a head-down, feet-up position); a chair control button 84c for reconfiguring the patient support device 30 to a chair position, indicated on the interface by a third icon 86c (e.g., a related icon representing the patient in a chair position); and a flat control button 84d for reconfiguring the patient support device 30 to a flat position. The patient support device 30 is represented on the interface by a fourth icon 86d (e.g., a related icon representing the patient in a supine position); a foot-elevation control button 84e for reconfiguring the patient support device 30 to a foot-elevated position is represented on the interface by a fifth icon 86e (e.g., a related icon representing the patient in a foot-elevated position); and a head-up-feet-down control button 84f for reconfiguring the patient support device 30 to a head-up-feet-down position is represented on the interface by a sixth icon 86f (e.g., a related icon representing the patient in a head-up-feet-down position).

[0087] User interface 80 includes an alert light 94, which, when activated, reminds caregivers to deactivate the departure detection system 150 before the patient exits the patient support device 30. In some embodiments, a standby / deactivation control button 96 is provided on user interface 80 to allow caregivers to standby or deactivate the departure detection system 150 from user interface 80. Figure 3As shown in FIG. 1, in one embodiment, the reminder light 94 is supported in the housing of the user interface 80, which illuminates an icon 98 (e.g., a bell icon) associated with the arming / disarming control button 96.

[0088] In at least one embodiment, the reminder light 94 is controlled to emit white light (steady, flashing, or pulsed) when the exit detection system 150 is armed and the user presses the exit control button 84a, and not to emit light at all other times except when the exit detection system 150 is armed and detects a patient exit from the patient support apparatus 30. When the aforementioned patient exit is detected, the reminder light 94 can be activated and emit a red flash. In at least some embodiments, during the exit detection alarm, the red flash of the reminder light 94 is configured to be synchronized with the red flash of other lights (e.g., the indirect lights 78a, 78b) that are also present when the exit detection alarm is emitted. The aforementioned synchronization means that the reminder light 94 is not only activated at the same time as the other lights, but that the (non-sinusoidal) waveform used to implement the flash is of the same time period, frequency, and general shape (although the amplitude can be different). Other ways of activating the reminder light 94 can also be employed.

[0089] The icon 98 is positioned above the reminder light 94 so that the reminder light 94 illuminates the icon 98 when activated. The illumination of the icon 98 serves to remind the caregiver to disarm the exit detection system 150 when the exit control button 84a is pressed and the exit detection system 150 is armed. Furthermore, the flash illumination of the icon 98 by the reminder light 94 during the bed exit alarm serves as an additional indication to the caregiver of the cause of the alarm. In the illustrated embodiment, the icon 98 and the reminder light 94 are integrated within the arming / disarming control button 96. The arming / disarming control button 96 enables the caregiver to disarm the exit detection system 150 and / or arm the exit detection system 150 when pressed. In some embodiments, the reminder light 94 can be a separate light and spaced apart from the arming / disarming control button 96, and / or the user interface 80 can omit the arming / disarming control button 96.

[0090] Still referring to FIG. 1, Figure 3 At least one reflective surface 100 is positioned on the guardrail and proximate to the user interface 80. The reflective surface 100 is positioned relative to the user interface 80 so that one or more indirect lights 78b supported by the housing of the user interface 80 project light away from the user interface 80 toward the reflective surface 100, which reflects the light outward from the reflective surface 100 toward the guardrail to serve as another visual indicator.

[0091] The indirect lights 78b are positioned on the bottom of the housing of the user interface 80 and project light away from the bottom of the housing toward the reflective surface 100. As such, the indirect lights 78b are hidden from view by the housing. The light they emit is reflected, for example, in several directions, including a generally horizontal direction, so as to be easily seen by a caregiver at a distance from the patient support apparatus 30. As shown in FIG. 1, Figure 3As shown in FIG. 1, in one example, one of the reflective surfaces 100 is disposed below the user interface 80 to reflect light away from the guardrail 44. Like the reflective surface 76, the reflective surface 100 is a diffuse reflector, rather than a specular reflector, and in at least some embodiments is the same color as the reflective surface 76.

[0092] As will be described in detail below, the icon light 68, the indirect lights 78a-b, and the direct light 102 are controlled to emit light in different ways at different times depending on the status of the patient support apparatus 30. Specifically, the icon light 68, the indirect lights 78a-b, and the direct light 102 can be continuously on at some times, can flash at other times, and can pulse at yet other times. As used herein, the term "pulse" or variations thereof refers to controlling the illumination of one or more lights such that the intensity of the light increases and decreases in a generally sinusoidal manner. In other words, the light gradually gets brighter and brighter until it reaches a peak, then gradually gets dimmer and dimmer until it reaches a trough (possibly turning the light off for an instant), then repeats the cycle. In contrast, the term "flash" refers to changing the intensity of the light, but in a much more abrupt manner. For example, in some embodiments, "flash" refers to controlling the lights such that the intensity of the light they emit changes in a generally square wave manner. Alternatively, the flashing of the lights can be implemented such that the emitted light intensity changes in a generally sawtooth, triangular, or some other non-sinusoidal manner. By using a non-sinusoidal wave form for flashing the lights, the effect is to present a more jarring and more directly urgent visual sensation to the caregiver compared to the sinusoidal wave form used during light pulsing. To this end, the lights 68 and / or 78 pulse when part of a gentle reminder to the caregiver, and flash when an alarm is issued, as will be described in detail below.

[0093] The flashing of the lights can also occur at a higher frequency than the pulsed illumination of the lights. In at least one embodiment, the pulsed illumination of the lights 68, 78a-b, 102 repeats at a frequency of one per 2-5 seconds, although other frequencies can be used. By pulsing the illumination of the lights 68, 78a-b, 102 at this frequency, the synchronized illumination of the lights changes its intensity at approximately the same frequency as a person's breathing, which is a relatively low time period that produces a non-urgent but persistent visual effect that reminds the caregiver that one or more tasks still need to be completed to put the patient support apparatus 30 in the proper configuration, but in a way that does not disturb or annoy the caregiver. In contrast, in at least one embodiment, the synchronized flashing of the lights 68, 78a-b, 102 occurs at a faster frequency than one per 2-5 seconds, such as but not limited to at least once per second, or faster. As described in more detail below, the flashing of the lights is typically only implemented when an alarm has been issued (red flashing when a patient alarm is detected by the exit detection system 150; amber flashing when an alarm is detected by the monitoring system 152 regarding a monitored condition), while the pulsed illumination of the lights (amber) is typically only implemented when the caregiver is being conveyed a reminder to perform one or more configuration tasks regarding the patient support apparatus 30.

[0094] Figure 4 The various components of the user interface 62 are shown in more detail, as well as the sensor system S connected to the user interface 62 and several other components of the patient support apparatus 20 that interact with the user interface 62. The user interface 62 includes a controller 104 having one or more microprocessors, microcontrollers, programmable gate arrays, system on a chip, discrete circuits, and / or other appropriate hardware, software, or firmware capable of performing the functions described herein. The controller 104 is adapted to communicate with the guard user interface 80 via a network bus (e.g., a controller area network, a serial peripheral interface (SPI) bus, an Ethernet connection, an RS-485 bus, etc.). The controller 104 sends commands and messages to one or more control structures within the user interface 80 that perform the selective enabling and disabling of the indirect lights 78b and / or the reminder lights 94. As will be described in more detail below, the enabling of the indirect lights 78b is typically synchronized with the indirect lights 78a, the direct lights 102, and in at least some embodiments, the icon lights 68. The controller 104 is configured to process instructions stored in a memory 106 to control the operation of the user interface 62 as well as the lights 68, 78a-b, 94, and 102. The controller 104 also controls what screens are displayed on the display 64a.

[0095] Power for the patient support apparatus 30 is provided by an external power source 108 or a battery power source 110. An alternating current (A / C) cord 112 provides power from the external power source 108 to the patient support apparatus 30 and plugs into a corresponding outlet (e.g., a wall outlet 114, Figure 1 ) to receive external electrical power.

[0096] The patient support apparatus 30 includes a wireless network transceiver 116 Figure 4 such as, but not limited to, a Wi-Fi transceiver 116 adapted to wirelessly communicate with one or more wireless access points 118 of a conventional healthcare facility network 120. The wireless access points 118 are adapted to communicate with a hospital network 120 (e.g., a local area network or LAN) of the facility in which the patient support apparatus 30 is located. As such, the controller 104 is able to use the network transceiver 116 to send signals to and receive signals from one or more servers located in the hospital network 120.

[0097] The patient support apparatus 20 also includes a nurse call interface 122 for communicatively coupling the patient support apparatus 30 with a conventional nurse call system. A conventional nurse call system typically includes one or more nurse call servers 124 connected to the hospital network 120, one or more nurse call jacks 126 located in each patient room, wiring that connects the nurse call jacks 126 to the nurse call servers 124, and other structures. In some embodiments, the nurse call interface 122 is a wired interface adapted to connect to and communicate with a nurse call jack 126 via a nurse call cable 128. One end of the cable 128 is connected to the nurse call interface 122 and the other end is connected to the nurse call jack 126. An example of the foregoing wired nurse call interface is the cable interface described in detail in U.S. Patent Application 2018 / 0293849, entitled “Patient Support Apparatuses with Reconfigurable Communication,” filed on April 4, 2018, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

[0098] In other embodiments, the nurse call interface 122 is a wireless interface adapted to wirelessly communicate with the nurse call outlet 126. Several examples of wireless nurse call interfaces 122 that enable wireless communication between the patient support apparatus 30 and an adjacent nurse call outlet 126 are disclosed in the following patent documents and can be implemented in the patient support apparatus 30 herein: U.S. Patent Application 2016 / 0038361, entitled “Patient Support Apparatuses with Wireless Headwall Communication,” filed August 6, 2015; U.S. Patent Application 16 / 217,203, entitled “Smart Hospital Headwall System,” filed December 12, 2018; U.S. Patent Application 16 / 193,150, entitled “Patient Support Apparatuses with Location / Movement Detection,” filed November 16, 2018; U.S. Patent Application 16 / 215,911, entitled “Hospital Headwall Communication System,” filed December 11, 2018. The disclosures of these patent documents are hereby incorporated by reference herein. Of course, other types of wireless or wired nurse call interfaces can still be used.

[0099] The sensor system S, including one or more sensors 130, 132, 134, 136, 138, 140, 142, 144, is integrated within the patient support apparatus 30 to generate one or more signals corresponding to a plurality of different states of the monitored conditions. The controller 104 issues commands to the user interface 62, 80 and the lights 68, 78a-b, 94, 102 based on the signals received by the controller 104 from the sensor system S. Thus, the sensor system S provides input to the controller 104 of a plurality of different states of different components of the patient support apparatus 30, which the controller 104 uses to output commands to the user interface 62, 80 and / or the lights 68, 78a-b, 94, 102.

[0100] The sensor system S includes one or more force sensors 130, siderail sensors 132, HOB angle sensors 134, height sensors 136, brake sensors 138, power supply sensors 140, WiFi connection sensors 142, and nurse call connection sensors 144. The force sensors 130 output signals in response to downward force applied to the support deck 38 by the patient and / or objects, and can be implemented as load cells, although other types of force sensors can be used. The siderail sensors 132 output signals indicative of the current position of the siderails 44, 46, 48, 50, so that the controller 104 can determine whether the siderails 44, 46, 48, 50 are in one of the raised position (up), lowered position (down), or intermediate position.

[0101] The HOB angle sensors 134 output signals indicative of the current angle of the back section 41, so that the controller 104 can determine whether the back section 41 is at or above a preset angle relative to the frame 36 or below the preset angle. The height sensors 136 output signals indicative of the current height of the frame 36, so that the controller 104 can determine whether the patient support apparatus 30 is at the lowest height. The brake sensors 138 output signals indicative of whether the brake is active (on) or inactive (off). The power supply sensors 140 output signals indicative of whether the AC power plug providing electrical power to the patient support apparatus 30 from the external power supply 108 is plugged into the corresponding outlet (e.g., wall outlet) to receive external electrical power. The Wi-Fi connection sensors 142 output signals indicative of whether the Wi-Fi transceiver 116 is connected to the wireless access point 118 (or a particular server on the network 120) or disconnected therefrom. The nurse call sensors 144 output signals indicative of whether the nurse call interface 122 is connected to the nurse call jack 126 or disconnected therefrom.

[0102] The sensors 130, 132, 134, 136, 138, 140, 142 can include one or more load cells, pressure sensors such as piezoelectric and piezoresistive sensors, Hall effect sensors, capacitive sensors, resonant sensors, thermal sensors, limit switches, gyroscopes, accelerometers, motion sensors, ultrasonic sensors, distance sensors, potentiometers, magnetostrictive sensors, current sensors, voltage detectors, and / or any other suitable type of sensor for accomplishing the corresponding function.

[0103] Force sensor 130 is part of a departure detection system 150 that determines whether an occupant has departed from patient support apparatus 30. Force sensor 130 can also be part of a scale system that detects the weight of an occupant of patient support apparatus 30, the details of which are not described herein. Force sensor 130 is adapted to detect the downward force exerted on patient support surface 42 by an occupant of support deck 38. Thus, when an occupant is positioned on support deck 38 and is substantially stationary (i.e., not moving in a manner that includes acceleration that causes force to be exerted against support deck 38), force sensor 130 will detect the weight of the occupant. Force sensor 130 can also be used to determine the center of gravity of the occupant to determine whether the occupant is about to depart from patient support apparatus 30. In alternative embodiments, the output of force sensor 130 is analyzed, not to determine the center of gravity, but to determine the weight distribution and / or changes in the weight distribution, such as determining one or more ratios of the relative weights sensed by force sensor 130 and using them to determine whether the occupant is about to depart from patient support apparatus 30. In still further embodiments, force sensor 130 can be modified to detect forces other than or in addition to the downward force exerted by an occupant. Additionally or alternatively, other types of sensors can be used to determine whether a patient has departed or is about to depart.

[0104] The specific structural details of departure detection system 150 can vary substantially. In some embodiments, departure detection system 150 is constructed in accordance with U.S. Patent 5,276,432, entitled "Patient Exit Detection Mechanism for Hospital Bed," issued January 4, 1994, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. In such embodiments, departure detection system 150 can include a plurality of zones that trigger an alarm when the center of gravity of a patient moves outside of the zones. In this manner, the sensitivity of the departure detection system can be selected by the caregiver. Alternatively, other types of departure detection systems can be used.

[0105] Departure detection system 150 is configured to be armed and disarmed. When armed, departure detection system 150 issues an alarm when an occupant departs from patient support surface 42 or is about to depart from patient support apparatus 30. In response to the alarm issued by departure detection system 150, controller 104 causes lights 68, 78a-b, and 102 (and, in some cases, reminder light 94) to flash red. Controller 104 can also display a departure detection alarm screen on display 64a that includes a portion that flashes red in synchronization with lights 68, 78a-b, and 102.

[0106] When the lights 68 flash, in at least one embodiment, the controller 104 is configured to cause only the icon light 68 located behind the icon corresponding to the condition that is being alarmed to flash. Thus, when the patient exit detection system 150 detects a patient exit and issues an alarm, the controller 104 is configured to cause only the light 68 located behind the icon 70a (which corresponds to the exit detection system 150) to flash. The lights 68 located behind the other icons 70b-g can remain enabled (or disabled) in the same manner that they were just prior to the exit detection alarm. Thus, for example, if the icon light 68 located behind the brake icon 70e was previously enabled and showing a steady green color just prior to the exit detection system 150 issuing an alarm, in at least one embodiment, the controller 104 is configured to continue to keep the light 68 behind the brake icon 70e steadily enabled in green while causing the light 68 behind the exit detection alarm icon 70a to flash (red) during the exit detection alarm.

[0107] The user interface 62 is in communication with the controller 104 and enables a caregiver to control a number of different aspects of the exit detection system 150, such as but not limited to arming or disarming the exit detection system 150, customizing settings of the exit detection system 150 such as customizing the sensitivity of the exit detection system 150, and canceling alarms issued by the exit detection system 150. Other customizable settings of the exit detection system 150 are also possible.

[0108] The bed monitoring system 152 includes a set of sensors and a processing unit such as the controller 104 that processes output from the set of sensors to determine whether any or more components monitored by the sensors are in an undesirable state. If any or more components are in an undesirable state and the bed monitoring system 152 is armed, the bed monitoring system issues an alarm. In some embodiments, the bed monitoring system 152 includes the siderail sensors 132, the HOB angle sensor 134, the height sensor 136, and the brake sensor 138. In addition or as an alternative, other types of sensors can be used to determine the status of one or more monitored conditions of the patient support apparatus 30. The specific structural details of the bed monitoring system 152 can vary widely. An exemplary bed monitoring system is described in U.S. Patent 8,844,076, entitled "Patient Handling Device Including Local Status Indication, One-Touch Fowler Angle Adjustment, and Power-On Alarm Configuration," filed January 27, 2014, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. Other types of bed monitoring systems can also be used.

[0109] The bed monitoring system 152 is configured to be armed and disarmed. When armed, the bed monitoring system 152 issues an alarm when at least one monitored condition of the patient support apparatus 30 is in an undesirable state, which can include one or more of a siderail being down, the HOB angle being less than a preset angle, the bed being uneven, or the brake not being engaged. In at least one embodiment, the controller 104 is configured to flash the lights 78a, 78b and 102 in sync in amber when the bed monitoring system 152 issues an alarm. The controller 104 can also be configured to flash the icon light 68 behind the bed monitor icon 70b in sync in amber when the bed monitoring system 152 issues an alarm.

[0110] The user interface 62 communicates with the controller 104 and enables a caregiver to control one or more aspects of the bed monitoring system 152. The user interface 62 enables a caregiver to control a variety of different aspects of the bed monitoring system 152, such as, but not limited to, navigating to a bed monitor control screen, arming or disarming the bed monitoring system 152, and canceling an alarm issued by the bed monitoring system 152. The display 64a displays information about the bed monitoring system 152, such as, but not limited to, displaying the bed monitor control screen and displaying an alarm issued by the bed monitoring system 152.

[0111] Figure 2 One example of a motion control screen 154 that can be displayed on the display 64a is shown. The motion control screen 154 includes a plurality of control buttons, some or all of which can include touch screen control buttons, non-touch screen control buttons, or a combination thereof. The control buttons perform a variety of different functions, and the number, function, layout, size, and / or other characteristics of the control buttons can vary from what is shown in FIG. 15, and can vary depending on what screen the display 64a is displaying at a given time. The motion control screen 154 can be displayed initially after the patient support apparatus 30 is powered on or switched to an awake mode, as described in more detail below, or it can be displayed in response to a caregiver navigating to it from another screen. Figure 2

[0112] In some embodiments, the controller 104 displays an exit detection control screen (not shown) or a bed monitor control screen (not shown) on the display 64a. The exit detection control screen is used by a caregiver or other user to control various aspects of the exit detection system 150, and can include an arm control button that enables the caregiver to arm and / or disarm the exit detection system 150. The bed monitor control screen is used by a caregiver or other user to control various aspects of the bed monitoring system 152, and can include an arm control button that enables the user to arm and / or disarm the bed monitoring system 152.

[0113] ​For some embodiments, the controller 104 operates the display 64a in a variety of different modes, including a sleep mode and a wake mode. The controller 104 enables the display 64a when the patient support apparatus 30 is in the wake mode and disables the display 64a when the patient support apparatus 30 is in the sleep mode. The controller 104 switches from the wake mode to the sleep mode after a timeout period, i.e., after a predetermined period of inactivity at the user interface 62, 80. When in the sleep mode, the controller 104 switches back to the wake mode and enables the display 64a upon detecting that a user has touched the display 64a or another portion of any of the user interfaces 62, 80.

[0114] During operation of the patient support apparatus 30, the controller 104 is configured to repeatedly check whether each of a set of components is in its required state, and if any or more of them are not in the desired state, to issue a reminder to the caregiver to place the corresponding component in the required state. In at least one embodiment, the set of components and their required states include: the exit detection system 150 (armed); the bed monitoring system 152 (armed); the brake 61 (enabled); the power cord 112 (plugged into an outlet). It should be appreciated that the set of components can vary in different embodiments, and that in some of those different embodiments, the components that are repeatedly monitored by the controller 104 for reminder purposes can be customizable by a user of the patient support apparatus 20. It should also be appreciated that the monitoring of the set of components for reminder purposes is performed automatically and repeatedly upon power up of the patient support apparatus 20, and not only when the display 64a is in the wake mode.

[0115] Furthermore, it should be appreciated that the repeated monitoring of the set of components for reminder purposes is different from the monitoring performed by the bed monitoring system 152. The monitoring performed by the bed monitoring system 152 is performed only when the bed monitoring system 152 is armed. In addition, the monitoring performed by the system 152 can be of a different set of components and / or conditions than the set of components monitored by the controller 104 for reminder purposes. For example, in many embodiments, the bed monitoring system 152 monitors the position of one or more of the siderails 44, 46, 48, and / or 50, while the controller 104 does not monitor the siderails for reminder purposes (in at least one embodiment). In addition, the consequences of the monitoring performed by the controller 104 for reminder purposes and for the purposes of the bed monitoring system 152 are different. If the controller 104 detects that a component is in an undesirable state for its reminder monitoring purposes, it issues a reminder. In contrast, if the controller 104 detects that a component is in an undesirable state as defined by the bed monitoring system 152, it issues an alarm rather than a reminder. As mentioned previously, the controller 104 is configured to cause the lights 68, 78a-b, and / or 102 to flash in response to an alarm and to pulse in response to a reminder, in at least some embodiments.

[0116] In addition to issuing reminders via pulsed illumination of the lights 68, 78a-b, and / or 102, the controller 104 is configured to issue reminders by displaying reminder screens on the display 64a. In at least one embodiment, a particular reminder screen is different for each of the different components for which the patient support apparatus 30 is configured to issue reminders. Thus, for example, if the brake 61 is deactivated, the controller 104 displays a brake reminder screen, and if the AC power cord 112 is not plugged in, the controller 104 displays a different AC power cord reminder screen. Examples of the types of reminder screens that can be displayed on the display 64a by the controller 104 are shown in Figures 5-10 and are described in further detail below.

[0117] Before turning to the various reminder screens shown in Figures 5-10 it should be noted that in at least one embodiment, the controller 104 is configured to display a corresponding reminder screen only once during an active period of the display 64a. That is, once the display 64a is awakened, if any of the components for which a reminder is set are in an undesirable state, the controller 104 displays the reminder screen. If the reminder screen is dismissed by the user (described in further detail below), the controller 104 does not display the reminder screen again unless the display 64a first switches to a sleep mode and then switches back to an awake mode. Upon reentering the awake mode, when the display 64a is reawakened, the controller 104 is configured to issue reminder screens for any components that are not in a desired state. In this way, for any given interaction with the patient support apparatus 30, the caregiver is typically reminded only once with a reminder screen, allowing the caregiver to use the display 64a for other functions while still reminding the caregiver of tasks that should be completed. In contrast, as will be described in further detail below, pulsed illumination of the lights 68, 78a-b, and / or 102 continues when the patient support apparatus 30 is detected to not be in an appropriate configuration, regardless of whether a reminder screen is being displayed on the display 64a and regardless of whether the display 64a is in an awake mode or a sleep mode.

[0118] Some non-limiting examples of reminder screens are provided in Figures 5-10 It should be understood that Figures 5-10 the particular layout of the reminder screens shown in Figures 5-10The display of any reminder screen can occur shortly after or immediately upon display 64a switching from the sleep mode to the wake mode if the corresponding component was in the undesirable state while display 64a was in the sleep mode. On the other hand, if the corresponding component was initially in the desirable state when display 64a wakes from the sleep mode to the wake mode, the corresponding reminder screen will not be displayed until the user switches the state of the corresponding component to the undesirable state. Additionally, in some cases, if the corresponding component was in the undesirable state only while display 64a was in the sleep mode, the reminder screen can not be displayed at all. However, in at least one alternative embodiment, the reminder screen is displayed when display 64a is in the sleep mode and a change to the undesirable state occurs, Figures 5-10 The reminder screen is displayed. In this alternative embodiment, the change to the corresponding undesirable state serves as a trigger to wake display 64a, and controller 104 displays the corresponding reminder screen in response to the trigger.

[0119] Figure 5 An illustrative brake reminder screen 156 is displayed on display 64a of user interface 62 when controller 104 detects that brake 61 is deactivated. Figure 2 Brake reminder screen 156 includes an engage control button 158 and an ignore control button 160. When the user presses engage control button 158, controller 104 operates to open brake 61. Engage control button 158 controls the state of brake 61 and automatically changes the state of the brake to the desirable state, e.g., the on or open state. When the user presses ignore control button 60, controller 104 operates to clear reminder screen 156 and does not open brake 61. After clearing reminder screen 156, controller 104 operates to display motion control screen 154 or another previously displayed screen on display 64a, otherwise enables the caregiver to use user interface 62, and does not open brake 61. The pulsed illumination of lights 68, 78a-b, and / or 102 that is concurrently triggered (with the display of brake reminder screen 156) due to brake 61 being in the undesirable state continues after reminder screen 156 is cleared until not only brake 61 is in the desirable state but also all components for which reminders were issued are in the corresponding desirable state.

[0120] Figure 6 An illustrative nurse call reminder screen 162 can be displayed on display 64a of user interface 62 when nurse call cable 128 is not connected to nurse call jack 126 or wireless communication between patient support apparatus 30 and nurse call jack 126 is malfunctioning. Figure 2The user interface 62 is displayed on the monitor 64a. The nurse call reminder screen 162 includes an ignore control button 164. When the user presses the ignore control button 164, the controller 104 operates to clear the reminder screen 162. After clearing the reminder screen 162, the controller 104 operates to display the motion control screen 154 or another previously displayed screen on the monitor 64a, or otherwise make the user interface 62 available to the caregiver. If the caregiver connects the nurse call interface 122 to the nurse call jack 126 while the reminder screen 162 is being displayed, the controller 104 also operates to clear the reminder screen 162.

[0121] In some embodiments, in response to the disconnection of the nurse call interface 122 from the nurse call jack 126, the controller 104 does not synchronously pulse the lights 68, 78a-b, or 102. Instead, in such embodiments, the controller 104 activates the icon light 68 behind the nurse call icon 70f and retains it until the nurse call interface 122 is connected to the nurse call jack 126, regardless of whether the alert screen 162 is cleared. Activating the light behind the nurse call icon 70f is executable, causing the light to emit an amber light. Furthermore, the activation of the amber light can be constant or pulsed.

[0122] Figure 7 For illustrative purposes, a power reminder screen 166 can be displayed. Figure 2 The power cord 112 is not plugged in and the patient support device 30 is not receiving external power from the external power supply 108. The controller 104 displays a power reminder screen 166 on the display 64a. The power reminder screen 166 includes an ignore control button 168. When the user presses the ignore control button 168, the controller 104 clears the reminder screen 166. After clearing the reminder screen 166, the controller 104 displays either the motion control screen 154 or another previously displayed screen on the display 64a, or otherwise enables the caregiver to use the user interface 62. If the caregiver plugs in the power cord 112 while the reminder screen 166 is being displayed, the controller 104 similarly clears the reminder screen 166. The pulsed illumination of lights 68, 78a-b and / or 102, triggered simultaneously with the display of the power reminder screen 166 due to the power cord 112 not being plugged in, continues after the reminder screen 166 is cleared until not only the power cord 112 is plugged into the socket but all components that issued the reminder are in the corresponding required state.

[0123] Figure 8 For illustrative purposes, a Wi-Fi notification screen 170 can be displayed. Figure 2The user interface 62 is displayed on the monitor 64a. When the patient support device 30 is not connected to Wi-Fi, for example when the Wi-Fi transceiver 116 is disconnected from the wireless access point 118 (or the server on network 120), the controller 104 displays a Wi-Fi alert screen 170 on the monitor 64a. The Wi-Fi alert screen 170 includes an ignore control button 172. When the user presses the ignore control button 172, the controller 104 operates to clear the alert screen 170. After clearing the alert screen 170, the controller 104 operates to display a motion control screen 154 or another previously displayed screen on the monitor 64a, or otherwise make the user interface 62 available to the caregiver. If the caregiver connects the patient support device 30 to Wi-Fi while the alert screen 170 is being displayed, the controller 104 similarly operates to clear the alert screen 170.

[0124] In some embodiments, in response to the wireless transceiver 116 disconnecting from the local area network 120, the controller 104 does not synchronously pulse the lights 68, 78a-b, or 102. Instead, in such embodiments, the controller 104 activates the icon light 68 behind the wireless communication icon 70g and retains it until the network transceiver 116 can communicate with the local area network 120, regardless of whether the alert screen 170 is cleared. Activation of the light 68 behind the wireless communication icon 70g is executable, causing the light to emit an amber light. Furthermore, the activation of the amber light can be constant or pulsed.

[0125] Figure 9 For illustrative purposes, a bed leave reminder screen 174 may be displayed. Figure 2 The user interface 62 is displayed on the display 64a. The controller 104 displays a bed departure reminder screen 174 on the display 64a when all three of the following conditions are met: the departure detection system 150 is deactivated, the patient is present on the patient support device 30, and the memory 106 includes the required departure detection system 150 standby state. That is, in at least one embodiment, the patient support device 30 can be configured by the user to have the required departure detection system 150 state. If the user needs the departure detection system 150 to be always on standby, the user can, for example, access... Figure 11 The screen shown is configured as needed, and the required state is set in memory 106, such as in conjunction with... Figure 11 For a more detailed description. If the user does not set the required departure detection system 150 to standby mode, the controller 104 will not display the alert screen 174.

[0126] The bed exit reminder screen 174 includes an arm control button 176, a disengage control button 178, and an ignore control button 180. Upon the user pressing the arm control button 176, the controller 104 operates to arm the exit detection system 150 and clear the reminder screen 182. Upon the user pressing the disengage control button 178, the controller 104 operates to erase the required exit detection system 150 arming state (at least for the patient currently assigned to the patient support apparatus 30), as mentioned above, the aforementioned state being stored in the memory 106. Upon the user pressing the ignore control button 180, the controller 104 operates to clear the reminder screen 174 and not arm the exit detection system 150. After clearing the reminder screen 174, the controller 104 operates to display the motion control screen 154 or another previously displayed screen on the display 64a, otherwise enabling the caregiver to use the user interface 62. The pulsed illumination of the lights 68, 78a-b, and / or 102 triggered (with the display of the bed exit reminder screen 174) concurrently with the disarming of the exit detection system 150 continues after the reminder screen 174 is cleared until all components for which the exit detection system 150 is arming are in the respective required state.

[0127] Figure 10 The illustrative bed monitoring reminder screen 182, which can be displayed on the display 64a of the user interface 62 of the patient support apparatus 30. The controller 104 displays the bed monitoring reminder screen 182 on the display 64a when all three of the following conditions occur: the bed monitoring system 152 is disarmed, a patient is present on the patient support apparatus 30, and the memory 106 includes a required bed monitoring system 152 arming state. That is, in at least one embodiment, the patient support apparatus 30 can be configured by the user to have a required bed monitoring system 152 state. If the user requires the bed monitoring system 152 to always be armed, the user can set the required state in the memory 106 by, for example, accessing the screens shown in FIG. 16 and making the required configuration, as described in greater detail in connection with FIGS. 17-19. Figure 2 Figure 11 Figure 11 If the user does not set the required bed monitoring system 152 state to the armed state, the controller 104 does not display the reminder screen 182.

[0128] ​​The bed monitoring reminder screen 182 includes an Arm Control button 184, an Off Control button 186, and an Ignore Control button 188. Upon the user pressing the Arm Control button 184, the controller 104 operates to arm the bed monitoring system 152 and clear the reminder screen 182. Upon the user pressing the Off Control button 186, the controller 104 operates to turn off the bed monitoring protocol for the current patient and clear the reminder screen 182. Upon the user pressing the Ignore Control button 188, the controller 104 operates to clear the reminder screen 182 and not arm the bed monitoring system 152. After clearing the reminder screen 182, the controller 104 operates to display the movement control screen 154 or another previously displayed screen on the display 64a, or otherwise enable the caregiver to use the user interface 62. The pulsed illumination of the lights 68, 78a-b, and / or 102 that is triggered concurrently with the display of the bed monitoring reminder screen 182 (from the arming of the bed monitoring system 152) continues after the reminder screen 182 is cleared until not only the bed monitoring system 152 is armed, but also all components for which a reminder was issued are in the respective required state.

[0129] As can be seen from the foregoing description, the controller 104 is configured to issue a plurality of different reminder screens when a plurality of different components of the patient support apparatus 30 are in an undesirable state. For many of these components, the patient support apparatus 30 is configured to also cause the lights 68, 78a-b, and 102 to be pulsed to serve as a visual reminder to the caregiver and to continue pulsing these lights until all components of the patient support apparatus 30 are in the required state. In this way, the lights 68, 78a-b, and 102 continue to pulse as a gentle yet persistent reminder to the caregiver that he or she needs to change at least one or more conditions of the patient support apparatus 30 to bring it to the required state, even when the caregiver can be busy performing other tasks. To see which particular condition or conditions need to be changed, he or she can view the dashboard 64b and see which icons 70a-g are amber-illuminated. The icons 70a-g corresponding to components that are in the required state are illuminated in green. Thus, the dashboard 64b provides an easily readable visual indicator of which components, if any, are not currently in the required state.

[0130] As previously mentioned, the patient support apparatus 30 can be configured by the caregiver, upon the controller 104 detecting the disarming of one or both of the exit detection system 150 and the bed monitoring system 152, to always issue a reminder to arm the exit detection system 150 and / or the bed monitoring system 152. This is accomplished by accessing, for example, the underlying settings screen 190 shown in FIG. 19. Figure 11

[0131] Figure 11 The illustrative settings screen 190, which can be displayed in response to the caregiver pressing the Settings Control button 192 on the dashboard 64b, is shown in FIG. 19. The settings screen 190 includes an Arm Exit Control button 194, an Arm Bed Control button 196, and an Off Control button 198. Upon the user pressing the Arm Exit Control button 194, the controller 104 operates to arm the exit detection system 150 and clear the settings screen 190. Upon the user pressing the Arm Bed Control button 196, the controller 104 operates to arm the bed monitoring system 152 and clear the settings screen 190. Upon the user pressing the Off Control button 198, the controller 104 operates to turn off the exit detection system 150 and the bed monitoring system 152 and clear the settings screen 190. After clearing the settings screen 190, the controller 104 operates to display the movement control screen 154 or another previously displayed screen on the display 64a, or otherwise enable the caregiver to use the user interface 62. Figure 2 ​The access screen 190 can be accomplished by selecting the motion control screen 154 or another screen shown on the display 64a or a settings control button (not shown) provided on the user interface 62. The underlying settings screen 190 includes a plurality of control buttons for selecting whether the exit detection system 150 is to be armed or not, whether the exit detection system 150 is to be armed for a new patient, whether the bed monitoring system 152 is to be armed or not, whether the bed monitoring system 152 is to be armed for a new patient, and a preset head of bed (HOB) angle for a new patient. The settings for a new patient protocol are stored in the memory 106.

[0132] The underlying settings screen 190 includes settings control buttons 192a, 192b and associated indicators 194a, 194b that can be selected for each setting. In the illustrated example, the first settings control button 192a is associated with the exit detection system 150 and the second settings control button 192b is associated with the bed monitoring system 152. Text and / or graphics or other forms of visual content are associated with the settings control buttons 192a, 192b to indicate which setting corresponds to which control button.

[0133] The settings indicators 194a, 194b exhibit whether the associated setting is currently being applied. When the associated setting is currently being applied, the settings indicators 194a, 194b are generated on the screen 190 in a first color or with a first graphic, and when the associated setting is not currently being applied, in a second color or with a second graphic. In the illustrated example of the screen 190, both the exit detection system settings control button 192a and the bed monitoring system settings control button 192b are currently being applied, and their associated indicators 194a, 194b are generated on the screen 190 in green and have a checkmark. When a setting is not selected, the associated indicator is generated on the screen 190 in gray and without a checkmark. Alternatively, the settings indicators 194a, 194b can employ text or graphics or other forms of visual content to identify the currently applied setting.

[0134] Since the settings indicators 194a, 194b are selected as shown in Figure 11 the status of the required exit detection system 150 and bed monitoring system 152 is an armed state, and if a patient is present on the patient support apparatus 30 and either system 150, 152 is disarmed, the controller 104 will issue an alert to alert the caregiver to arm the system 150, 152.

[0135] The underlying settings screen 190 also includes at least one status control button for selecting a preset desired and / or undesirable status for one or more monitored conditions of the patient support device 30, shown herein as including a HOB angle status control button 196. Pressing this status control button changes the preset value of the monitored condition. For example, pressing the HOB angle status control button 196 switches the preset HOB angle between 30 and 45 degrees. Figure 11 In this configuration, the preset HOB angle is displayed as 30 degrees. When the user presses the HOB angle status control button 196, the controller 104 operates to change the default preset HOB angle to 45 degrees. Subsequent selection of the HOB angle preset status control button 196 changes the default preset HOB angle back to 30 degrees. In some embodiments, the bed monitoring system 152 monitors the HOB angle and, in standby mode, issues an alarm when the HOB angle drops below a threshold selected on the underlying settings screen 190.

[0136] The underlying settings screen 190 also includes a method for returning to the motion control screen 154. Figure 2 The user presses the return control button 198. When the user presses the return control button 198, the controller 104 operates to display the motion control screen 154 on the display 64a.

[0137] Figures 12A-12B A flowchart of a reminder management algorithm 200 executed by controller 104 is shown. The reminder management algorithm 200 controls the form in which multiple different reminders are issued and their potential impact on other functions of the patient support device 30 (if any). In some embodiments, only a single reminder screen is displayed at a given time. In such cases, if multiple components are simultaneously in an undesirable state, controller 104 displays the reminder screens sequentially. The specific order in which the reminder screens are displayed can be configured by the user and / or vary in different embodiments.

[0138] Algorithm 200 begins with initial step 202 ( Figure 12A As previously mentioned, in at least one embodiment, algorithm 200 is configured to be substantially continuously executed based on the power-on of patient support device 30. Therefore, in at least some embodiments, the initiation step 202 begins either when patient support device 30 is powered on or shortly after patient support device 30 is powered on.

[0139] Controller 104 proceeds from step 202 to step 204, determining brake 61 ( Figure 1 Is the nurse call interface 122 open? Figure 4whether the nurse call interface 122 is communicatively connected to the nurse call outlet 126. This determination is based on input from the brake sensor 138 and the nurse call sensor 144. If it is determined that the brake 61 is open and the nurse call interface 122 is connected, the controller 104 proceeds to step 204. If the brake 61 is closed and / or the nurse call interface 122 is not communicatively connected to the nurse call outlet 126, the controller 104 proceeds to step 206.

[0140] At step 206, the controller 104 displays the corresponding reminder screen (e.g., the reminder screen 156 of FIG. 6B or the reminder screen 162 of FIG. 6C) and begins pulsing the lights 68, 78a, 78b, and 102 if the brake 61 is closed (and the lights 68, 78a, 78b, and 102 have not previously been pulsed). If these lights have previously been pulsed, the controller 104 continues to pulse them. If the brake 61 is open but the nurse call interface 122 is not communicatively connected to the nurse call outlet 126, in at least one embodiment the controller 104 is configured not to pulse the lights 68, 78a, 78b, and 102, but rather to activate the light 68 behind the nurse call icon 70f in an unchanging amber color. Figure 5 Figure 6 At step 206, the controller 104 displays the corresponding reminder screen (e.g., the reminder screen 156 of FIG. 6B or the reminder screen 162 of FIG. 6C) and begins pulsing the lights 68, 78a, 78b, and 102 if the brake 61 is closed (and the lights 68, 78a, 78b, and 102 have not previously been pulsed). If these lights have previously been pulsed, the controller 104 continues to pulse them. If the brake 61 is open but the nurse call interface 122 is not communicatively connected to the nurse call outlet 126, in at least one embodiment the controller 104 is configured not to pulse the lights 68, 78a, 78b, and 102, but rather to activate the light 68 behind the nurse call icon 70f in an unchanging amber color.

[0141] It should be understood that for all steps of the algorithm 200 in which the lights are pulsed (including but not limited to step 206), such pulsing refers to the synchronized pulsing of the lights 68, 78a, 78b, and 102, which produces the previously described breathing or glow effect. Furthermore, it should be understood that in at least some embodiments, all references to the pulsing of the light 68 refer to the pulsing of the specific icon light 68 corresponding to the component that is not in the desired state. Thus, if the brake 61 is closed, the controller 104 pulses the icon light 68 behind the icon 70e at step 206. If the other components corresponding to the other icons 70a-d and 70f-g are all in the desired state, the controller 104 illuminates the light 68 behind these icons in an unchanging green color. Thus, in at least some embodiments, only the icons 70a-g corresponding to components that are not in the desired state are pulsed. In other embodiments, the icons 70a-g corresponding to components that are not in the desired state are illuminated in an unchanging amber color. In still other embodiments, some of the icons 70a-g corresponding to components that are not in the desired state are pulsed, while others of those icons 70a-g corresponding to components that are not in the desired state are illuminated in an unchanging color. Other variations are possible.

[0142] After step 206, Figure 12A ​If the controller 104 proceeds to step 208, it determines whether the caregiver has ignored the alert or corrected the state of the brake 61 and / or nurse call interface 122. For example, if the controller 104 determines that the ignore control button 160 on the brake alert screen 156 or the ignore control button 164 on the nurse call alert screen 162 has been selected, the controller 104 proceeds to step 210. In step 210, the controller 104 clears the alert screens 156 and / or 162 from the display 64a, but continues to pulse the lights (if they pulsed in step 206). Clearing the alert screens 156 and / or 162 allows the caregiver to perform other tasks using the display 64a, including taking corrective actions against the brake 61.

[0143] Following step 210, controller 104 proceeds to step 212 and prevents the departure detection system 150 and / or bed monitoring system 152 from being in standby mode. When brake 61 is not in use or nurse call interface 122 is disconnected, patient support device 30 is configured to prevent the departure detection system 150 and / or bed monitoring system 152 from being in standby mode. If the state of brake 61 and / or nurse call interface 122 is subsequently corrected, controller 104 re-enables the departure detection system 150 and / or bed monitoring system 152 from being in standby mode. This feature encourages caregivers to remember to keep brake 61 in standby mode.

[0144] If, in step 208, the controller 104 determines that the brake enable control button 158 on the brake reminder screen 156 has been selected and / or the nurse call interface 122 has been connected to the nurse call jack 126, then the controller 104 proceeds to step 214 to cancel the reminder. Canceling the reminder in step 214 includes clearing the reminder screen. It may also include, based on conditions of other components monitored by the controller 104 for the reminder, the pulsed illumination of lights 68, 78a, 78b, and 102, as will be described in further detail below in conjunction with step 260. From step 214, the controller 104 proceeds to step 204.

[0145] It should be noted that, Figure 12A The simultaneous checking of the states of brake 61 and nurse call interface 122 in step 202 is shown for visual simplicity only; the controller 104 actually checks these states sequentially, which can be done in any order. Additionally, algorithm 200 can be modified to check only the state of brake 61 or only the state of nurse call interface 122, or in some embodiments, step 202 can be skipped entirely.

[0146] In step 204 ( Figure 12AThe controller 104 determines whether the patient support device 30 is plugged in, for example, whether the power cord 112 is plugged into the wall socket 114, based on signals from the power sensor 140. Figure 1 It is receiving external power from external power supply 108. If it is determined that the patient support device 30 is plugged into external power supply 108, the controller 104 proceeds to step 216 and determines whether the patient support device 30 is connected to Wi-Fi.

[0147] If, in step 204, the controller 104 determines that the patient support device 30 is not plugged in, the controller 104 proceeds to step 218 and issues a reminder to plug in the power cord 112. In one example, the power cord reminder includes displaying a power cord reminder screen 166 on the display 64a. Figure 7 And make lamps 68, 78a, 78b and 102 pulse-lit.

[0148] After step 218, controller 104 proceeds to step 220 and determines whether the caregiver has ignored the reminder or has corrected the status of power cord 112. For example, if controller 104 determines that the ignore control button 168 on the power reminder screen 166 has been selected, controller 104 proceeds to step 222 and clears the reminder screen 166. However, controller 104 continues to pulse the lights 68, 78a, 78b, and 102 in step 222. The clearing of the reminder screen and the continued pulsed lighting of the lights allow the caregiver to operate the user interface 62, including the display 64a, while still reminding the caregiver to take corrective action.

[0149] If in step 220( Figure 12A If the controller 104 determines that the power cord 112 has been inserted, then the controller 104 proceeds to step 224 to cancel the reminder. Canceling the reminder in step 224 includes clearing the power reminder screen 166 from the display 64a. Canceling the reminder in step 224 may also include stopping the pulsed illumination of lights 68, 78a, 78b, and 102 based on conditions of other components monitored by the controller 104 for the reminder, as will be described in further detail below in conjunction with step 260. From step 224, the controller 104 proceeds to step 216.

[0150] In step 216, the controller 104 determines whether the patient support device 30 is connected to Wi-Fi based on input from the Wi-Fi connectivity sensor 142, for example, whether the Wi-Fi transceiver 116 is connected to the wireless access point 118. Figure 3 If it is determined that the patient support device 30 is connected to Wi-Fi, the controller 104 proceeds to step 236. Figure 12B ).

[0151] If in step 216 ( Figure 12A), the controller 104 determines that the patient support apparatus 30 is not connected to Wi-Fi, the controller 104 proceeds to step 226 and issues a reminder. In one example, the Wi-Fi reminder includes displaying a Wi-Fi reminder screen 170 Figure 8 ) on the display 64a (FIG. 1) and pulsing the lights 68, 78a, 78b, and 102. In another embodiment, the reminder issued at step 226 omits the pulsing of the lights 68, 78a, 78b, and 102, and instead illuminates only the particular icon light 68 located behind the icon 70g in an amber color. Of course, other variations can be implemented.

[0152] After the reminder is issued at step 226, the controller 104 proceeds to step 228 and determines whether the caregiver has ignored the reminder or has corrected the status of the Wi-Fi connection. For example, if the controller 104 determines that the ignore control button 172 on the Wi-Fi reminder screen 170 has been selected, the controller 104 proceeds to step 230 and clears the Wi-Fi reminder screen 170 from the display 64a so that the caregiver can use the user interface 62. In some embodiments, the controller 104 continues to pulse the lights 68, 78a, 78b, and 102. In other embodiments, at step 230, the controller 104 only maintains the icon 70g illuminated in an unchanging amber color. In either embodiment, the clearing of the reminder screen and the continued activation of one or more lights enables the caregiver to operate the user interface 62, including the display 64a, while still reminding the caregiver that corrective action should be taken.

[0153] If at step 234 the controller 104 determines that the Wi-Fi transceiver 116 has successfully established communication with the wireless access point 118 (and / or a particular server on the network 120), the controller 104 proceeds to step 240 and cancels the reminder. Cancelling the reminder at step 234 includes clearing the Wi-Fi reminder screen 170 from the display 64a. Cancelling the reminder at step 234 can also include stopping the pulsing of the lights 68, 78a, 78b, and 102 depending on the conditions of other components that the controller 104 monitors for the reminder, as will be described in further detail below in connection with step 260. Cancelling the reminder issued at step 234 can also or alternatively include changing the activation of the icon light 68 located behind the icon 70g to a steady green color.

[0154] From step 216, the controller 104 proceeds to step 236, which is shown in Figure 12B At step 236, the controller 104 determines whether personnel at the healthcare facility (e.g., a caregiver) has configured the patient support apparatus 30 to issue a reminder that puts the exit detection system 150 and / or the bed monitoring system 152 on alert. This is determined by the controller 104 querying the memory 106, which stores the underlying settings screen 190 (FIG. 2) used by the caregiver or other authorized personnel to configure the patient support apparatus 30. If the controller 104 determines that the patient support apparatus 30 has not been configured to issue a reminder that puts the exit detection system 150 and / or the bed monitoring system 152 on alert, the controller 104 proceeds to step 238 and cancels the reminder. Cancelling the reminder at step 238 includes clearing the Wi-Fi reminder screen 170 from the display 64a. Cancelling the reminder at step 238 can also include stopping the pulsing of the lights 68, 78a, 78b, and 102 depending on the conditions of other components that the controller 104 monitors for the reminder, as will be described in further detail below in connection with step 260. Cancelling the reminder issued at step 238 can also or alternatively include changing the activation of the icon light 68 located behind the icon 70g to a steady green color.Figure 11 The selected settings. If controller 104 determines in step 236 that neither the detection system 150 nor the bed monitoring system 152 will be on standby, proceed to step 260. Figure 12A If controller 104 determines in step 236 that one or both of these systems 150 and / or 152 will be ready, proceed from step 236 to step 238.

[0155] It should be noted that, Figure 12B While the standby status of the required departure detection system 150 and bed monitoring system 152 is checked simultaneously in step 236, it should be understood that algorithm 200 checks these statuses sequentially and in any order. When checking these statuses sequentially, controller 104 may check the first system in these systems in step 236, and then execute steps 238 to 258 of algorithm 200 before returning to step 236 and checking the second system in these systems. Furthermore, in some embodiments, algorithm 200 may be modified to check only the standby status of the required departure detection system 150 or only the standby status of the required bed monitoring system 152.

[0156] In step 238 ( Figure 12B The controller 104 is at least partially based on the force sensor 130. Figure 4 The input determines whether there is a patient on the patient support device 30. If it is determined that there is no patient on the patient support device 30, the controller 104 proceeds to step 260. Figure 12A If step 238 determines that the patient is present on the patient support device 30, the controller 104 proceeds to step 240 and determines whether the departure detection system 150 and / or the bed monitoring system 152 are ready. In some embodiments, the controller 104 may have a delay before proceeding from step 238 to step 240 to allow caregivers time between the patient entering the patient support device 30 and the issuance of an alert to put the departure detection system 150 and / or the bed monitoring system 152 on standby.

[0157] If in step 240 ( Figure 12B ) Upon confirmation that the detection system 150 and / or bed monitoring system 152 are ready, the controller 104 proceeds to step 260. Figure 12A If step 240 determines that the bed departure detection system 150 or the bed monitoring system 152 has been deactivated, the controller 104 proceeds to step 242 and issues a reminder to the caregiver to put one or both of systems 150 and 152 on standby. The reminder may include displaying a corresponding reminder screen on the display 64a (e.g., bed departure reminder screen 174). Figure 9 ) or bed monitoring reminder screen 182 ( Figure 10 The reminder also includes making lamps 68, 78a, 78b and 102 pulse-lit.

[0158] From step 242, controller 104 proceeds to step 244 to determine whether the caregiver has ignored the reminder, turned off the required system 150 and / or 152 on standby, or corrected the status of one or both systems 150, 152 (e.g., put it on standby). For example, if controller 104 determines that the ignore control button 180 on bed exit reminder screen 174 has been selected or the ignore control button 188 on bed monitor reminder screen 182 has been selected, controller 104 proceeds to step 258. At step 258, controller 104 clears the reminder screen, but continues to pulse lights 68, 78a, 78b, and 102. The clearing of the reminder screen and the continued pulsing of the lights enables the caregiver to operate user interface 62, including display 64a, while still reminding the caregiver that corrective action should be taken.

[0159] If at step 244 ( Figure 12B ), controller 104 determines that the off control button 178 on bed exit reminder screen 174 has been selected or the off control button 186 on bed monitor reminder screen 182 has been selected, controller 104 proceeds to step 256. At step 256, controller 104 clears the reminder screen from display 64a and changes the required standby status of exit detection system 150 and / or 152 in memory 106. Thus, off control button 186 provides an additional way for the caregiver to change the required standby status of systems 150, 152 (in addition to underlying settings control screen 190 ( Figure 11 )). In some embodiments, the change in required standby status at step 256 carries over to all future iterations of algorithm 200 until a new patient is assigned to patient support apparatus 30. In other embodiments, the change in required standby status at step 256 carries over to all future iterations of algorithm 200, including when a new patient is assigned to patient support apparatus 30. From step 256, controller 104 proceeds to step 260 ( Figure 12A ).

[0160] If at step 244 ( Figure 12B), the controller 104 determines that either the standby control button 176 on the bed exit reminder screen 174 has been selected or the standby control button 184 on the bed monitoring reminder screen 182 has been selected, the controller 104 proceeds to step 246 and checks whether the patient is settled on the patient support apparatus 30. The controller 104 determines whether the patient is settled on the patient support surface 42 based on input from the force sensor 130 and, in some embodiments, input from one or more other sensors of the sensor system S. If the patient is not settled within a predetermined period of time, e.g., 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 seconds or another predetermined period of time, the controller 104 proceeds to step 250 and does not arm the exit detection system 150 and / or the bed monitoring system 152.

[0161] At step 250, the controller 104 issues an alarm indicating that the exit detection system 150 and / or the bed monitoring system 152 cannot be armed. In at least some embodiments, the alarm is issued by flashing the lights 68, 78a, 78b and 102 with an amber color, rather than pulsing the lights with an amber color. At step 250, the controller 104 causes the lights 68, 78a, 78b and 102 to continue to flash until the patient is settled and the corresponding system 150 and / or 152 can be armed. Once the patient is settled and the system 150, 152 can be armed, the controller 104 stops flashing the lights 68, 78a, 78b and 102 and returns them to the state they were in prior to step 250 (which can be a pulsed state, a deactivated state or some other state depending on the current condition of the components of the patient support apparatus 30) prior to step 250.

[0162] When the controller 104 determines at step 246( Figure 12B ) that the patient is settled, the controller 104 proceeds to step 252 and arms the corresponding system 150 and / or system 152. From step 252, the controller 104 proceeds to step 254 and clears the reminder screen from the display 64a. Step 254 can also include stopping the pulsing of the lights 68, 78a, 78b and 102 depending on the condition of the other components that the controller 104 monitors for the purpose of issuing the reminder, as will now be described in connection with step 260.

[0163] From step 254, the controller 104 proceeds to step 260( Figure 12A ). At step 260, the controller 104 determines whether all of the conditions in the set of conditions that are monitored for the purpose of issuing the reminder are in the respective required state. In Figure 12A and 12BIn the particular embodiment of the algorithm 200 shown, this includes checking to see if the brake 61 is activated, if the nurse call interface 122 is connected to the nurse call jack 126, if the cable 112 is plugged into the jack, if the network transceiver 116 is in communication with the network 120, and if both the exit detection system 150 and the bed monitoring system 152 are in an armed state. If the answer to all of these questions is yes (i.e., all of these components are in the desired state), the controller 104 proceeds to step 262, which stops the pulsed illumination of the lights 68, 78a, 78b, and 102 (to the extent of their previous pulsed illumination). From step 262, the controller 104 returns to step 202, repeating the execution of the algorithm 200. If the answer to the question in step 260 is no (i.e., at least one component is not in the desired state), the controller 104 skips step 262 and returns to step 202, repeating the execution of the algorithm 200. Thus, it can be seen from steps 260 and 262 that the controller 104 only stops the pulsed illumination of the lights 68, 78a, 78b, and 102 when all of the components of the patient support apparatus 30 are properly configured.

[0164] When the controller 104 repeats the algorithm 200 (i.e., a second or subsequent time at step 202), the controller 104 does not again display any reminder screens that were previously displayed during a previous iteration of the algorithm 200, unless the display 64a has been put to sleep between the initial display of the reminder screen and the subsequent iteration of the algorithm 200. In other words, the controller 104 is configured such that any and all reminder screens are only displayed once during a given period of time that the display 64a is awake. In this way, the caregiver is not presented with the same reminder screen reappearing. Rather, the reminder screen appears only once, and never again, so long as the display 64a remains in the awake mode. Upon and only upon the display 64a going to sleep, the controller 104 will re-display any reminder screen or screens that were displayed prior to the display 64a going to sleep. Thus, while the display 64a is continuously used (e.g., used such that it remains awake), a particular reminder screen is only presented to the caregiver once, which reminds the caregiver but does not interfere with the caregiver using the display 64a and / or the user interface 62.

[0165] In many embodiments, in additional situations beyond those specifically described above, controller 104 also enables lights 68, 78a, 78b, and 102. For example, in one embodiment, controller 104 is configured to flash lights 68, 78a, 78b, and 102 once (e.g., pressing green) when any of the following occurs: (1) support 36 is lowered to its lowest height; (2) back section 41 is pivoted to its threshold HOB angle (e.g., 30 degrees, 45 degrees, etc.); (3) a patient's weight reading has been successfully obtained; and (4) the device has been successfully added to or removed from a non-patient weight record held by patient support device 30. Regarding the last function (adding weight to and removing weight from the weight log), controller 104 and / or another controller within patient support device 30 may be configured to implement the add / remove weight log function. Several examples are disclosed in U.S. Patent Application 62 / 885,954, filed August 13, 2019, entitled “PATIENT SUPPORT APPARATUS WITH EQUIPMENT WEIGHT LOG,” the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Alternatively or additionally, other types of weight log add / remove functions may be used.

[0166] In some embodiments, when both the departure detection system 150 and the bed monitoring system 152 are on standby (or when the user has used...) Figure 11 When screen 190 changes the standby state of one of these systems stored in memory 106 to a deactivated state (only one of these systems is standby), controller 104 is also configured to activate with a steady green light 68, 78a-b, and 102. This steady green activation of lights 68, 78a-b, and 102 occurs only when all alert conditions are in the appropriate state. Thus, a steady green light can only be seen around most of the periphery of patient support device 30 when patient support device 30 has been properly configured and the required systems 150, 152 are on standby. Therefore, the steady green light provides caregivers with easily visible confirmation that all things on patient support device 30 have been properly configured, and the absence of a steady green light (such as pulsed amber light or some other illumination state) indicates that patient support device 30 is not configured as required.

[0167] Lights 68, 78a-b, and 102 are also used to indicate when the departure detection system 150 and / or the bed monitoring system 152 detect an alarm condition. When the departure detection system 150 detects that a patient has left the patient support device 30, the controller 104 flashes lights 68, 78a-b, and 102 in red. When the bed monitoring system 152 detects that one or more components monitored by the system 152 are in an undesirable state, the controller 104 flashes lights 68, 78a-b, and 102 in amber. Alternatively, other methods of using lights 68, 78a-b, and 102 may be implemented.

[0168] In addition to controlling lights 68, 78a-b, and 102, in at least some embodiments, controller 104 is also configured to control lights on guardrail user interface 80 located behind brake control button 92. Figure 3 In such an embodiment, when brake 61 is deactivated, controller 104 can be configured to cause the light to emit amber pulses, synchronized with the pulsed emission of lights 68, 78a-b, and 102. Additionally, when brake 61 is activated, controller 104 can be configured to illuminate the light in white (or, in some cases, green). If the guardrail user interface 80 is modified to include beyond... Figure 3 The additional control buttons shown correspond to any condition that triggers the (above) reminder screen. Controller 104 can be configured to activate the lights on the guardrail user interface 80 located behind the aforementioned control buttons in the same manner as activating lights 68, 78a-b and 102.

[0169] In addition to controlling the activation of lights 68, 78a-b, and 102, controller 104 may also be configured to control one or more sounds emitted by a buzzer and / or speaker located on the patient support device 30. In such an embodiment, controller 104 may be configured to emit a single beep whenever bed monitoring system 152 is triggered (i.e., an undesirable condition is detected), whenever brake 61 is deactivated, whenever AC power cord 112 is not inserted, whenever support 36 is lowered to its lowest height, whenever back section 41 is pivoted to its threshold HOB angle (e.g., 30 degrees, 45 degrees, etc.), whenever a patient's weight reading has been successfully acquired, and whenever the device has been successfully added to or removed from a non-patient weight held by patient support device 30. Alternatively, controller 104 may also be configured to emit a single beep when departure detection system 150 detects patient departure and / or when departure detection system 150 detects patient departure, for example, due to patient instability (see steps 248 and 250 of algorithm 200). Figure 12B When the system is not ready to respond, controller 104 can be configured to emit a continuous beeping sound. This continuous beeping sound is configured to persist until the caregiver corrects the situation and / or shuts down the corresponding alarm systems 150, 152.

[0170] Those skilled in the art should understand that Algorithm 200 can be derived from... Figure 12A The diagram shown in -B can be substantially modified. For example, the specific set of conditions for which an alert is issued can be modified. Additionally, the order of condition checks shown in these diagrams can be changed. Algorithm 200 can also be modified so that controller 104 makes different selections regarding which conditions cause lights 68, 78a-b, and 102 to pulse and which conditions only cause the lights on dashboard 64b to illuminate. In other words, controller 104 can be configured to display lights on dashboard 64b (… Figure 2 Lamps 68, 78a-b and 102 are pulsed when any of the conditions shown above, or any subset of these conditions in the alternative embodiments, are in an undesirable state.

[0171] The controller 104 may also delay issuing an alert in response to changes in the state of one or more monitored features, conditions, or components, so that the patient support device 30 does not indicate an undesirable state in response to a momentary change in state. For example, a caregiver may temporarily deactivate brake 61 to adjust the position of the patient support device 30, but then immediately reset brake 61 back to active. This process may last no more than 30 seconds or less. Thus, once the state has changed, the controller 104 may monitor for a period of time and delay notification associated with the state change until a predetermined period of time has elapsed. The predetermined period of time may be 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 seconds, or other predetermined time periods.

[0172] In some embodiments, the patient support device 30 is provided with an exit function, which can be activated by a user pressing an exit control button 84a on the guardrail user interface 80, or optionally via the footrest user interface 62. The exit function allows caregivers to move components of the support plate 38 and bracket 36 to positions that facilitate easier exit from the device 30, such as moving them into an "exit orientation" before the patient leaves the device 30. Therefore, this can conflict with the exit detection system 150 when it is on standby, as patient exit detected by the force sensor 130 triggers an exit alarm from the controller. Figure 13 The diagram illustrates an outing alert algorithm 280 followed by controller 104 when the outing function is enabled, which can remind caregivers to turn off the outing detection system 150 to prevent unwanted alarms from being triggered when the outing detection system 150 is on standby.

[0173] When the outing function is enabled by a caregiver, the outing reminder algorithm 280 begins at step 282. Enabling the outing function involves selecting the outing control button 84a on the guardrail user interface 80. Figure 3). From step 282, controller 104 proceeds to step 284 and determines whether the exit detection system 150 is armed or disarmed. If the exit detection system 150 is disarmed, controller 104 proceeds to step 286 and moves the patient support apparatus 30 to an egress position. A user pressing the egress control button 84a transmits a signal to controller 104 that causes controller 104 to operate the actuators to move the stand 36, patient support deck 38, patient support surface 42, and / or one or more deck segments 41, 43, 45, 47 to a position that enables the patient to more easily exit the patient support apparatus 30. For example, controller 104 can raise the north segment 41 and lower the stand 36, patient support deck 38, and patient support surface 42 relative to the base frame 35, including to a lowest height relative to the base frame 35.

[0174] In embodiments in which the patient support apparatus 30 has motorized rails 44, 46, 48, 50, a user pressing the egress control button 84a can also cause movement of one or more of the rails 44, 46, 48, 50 in a manner that facilitates the patient's exit from the patient support apparatus 30, such as raising or lowering one or more of the rails 44, 46, 48, 50 and / or reorienting one or more of the rails 44, 46, 48, 50 to make the patient's exit easier.

[0175] If the exit detection system 150 is armed, controller 104 proceeds from step 284 to step 288 and activates the reminder light 94 and / or light 102 to alert the caregiver to disarm the exit detection system 150 before the patient exits the apparatus 30. After activating the reminder light 94 and / or light 102, controller 104 proceeds to step 286 and moves the patient support apparatus 30 to an egress position.

[0176] Once the patient support apparatus 30 is in the egress position, controller 104 proceeds to step 290 and the algorithm 280 ends. If the exit detection system 150 is disarmed at any point after the reminder light 94 and / or light 102 is illuminated, such as by a user pressing the arm / disarm control button 96, controller 104 is configured to turn off the reminder light 94 and / or light 102.

[0177] Although not yet described, the different content and functionality of the various control screens of the patient support apparatus 30 can be used in conjunction with each other as desired, and / or the content and / or functionality of one control screen can be applied to one or more other control screens. Further, the selected content shown in any particular control screen herein should not be interpreted as having to have all of the content shown therein. For example, embodiments including exit detection systems, bed monitoring systems, user interfaces, reminder screens, reminder management, and egress functionality can be implemented independently of each other or in any subcombination on the patient support apparatus 30.

[0178] Many different alternative or further changes or modifications can be made to the embodiments described above. The above disclosure is presented for the purpose of illustration only and not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure to the specific elements described above. For example, but without limitation, any individual element of the described embodiments can be replaced by alternative elements that provide substantially similar functionality or that provide sufficient functionality. This includes, for example, currently known alternative elements, such as those that can be currently known to those skilled in the art, as well as alternative elements that can be developed in the future, such as those that can be considered by those skilled in the art to be alternative after development. The use of any element, for example, the use of "a," "an" or "the" to refer to any element, should not be construed as limiting that element to a single instance.

Claims

1. A patient support apparatus comprising: a support structure having a patient support surface adapted to support a patient thereon; a plurality of wheels to facilitate transport of the patient support apparatus over a floor surface; a departure detection system configured to be in an armed or disarmed state, the departure detection system adapted to sound an alarm when the departure detection system is armed and a patient departs the patient support surface; a sensor adapted to detect a state of a component of the patient support apparatus; a display; and a controller in communication with the sensor and the display, the controller configured to determine whether the component is in a first state or a second state, to prevent the departure detection system from being armed when the component is in the first state, to provide a reminder indicative of the component when the component is in the first state, and to enable the departure detection system to be in the armed state when the component is in the second state. the reminder comprises a status control button configured to enable a user to change the state of the component from the first state to the second state when the status control button is pressed.

2. The patient support apparatus of claim 1, wherein, the reminder comprises an ignore control button configured to enable a user to clear the reminder when the ignore control button is pressed.

3. The patient support apparatus of claim 1, wherein, the controller is configured to clear the reminder in response to the state of the component changing from the first state to the second state.

4. The patient support apparatus of claim 1, wherein, 5. The patient support apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a first rail including an inner surface facing a patient and an outer surface facing away from the patient; a first light connected to the outer surface of the first rail; a second rail opposite the first rail, the second rail including an inner surface facing a patient and an outer surface facing away from the patient; a second light connected to the outer surface of the second rail; a third light connected to a foot end of the support structure; and wherein the controller is further adapted to pulse the first, second, and third lights in a synchronized manner until the component is changed to the second state. the controller is configured to pulse the first, second, and third lights in a sinusoidal manner having a frequency greater than one pulse per second. the controller is further adapted to continue pulsing the first, second, and third lights after the component is changed to the second state but while the departure detection system is in the disarmed state, and to continue until the departure detection system is in the armed state.

6. The patient support apparatus of claim 5, wherein, the component is a brake, the sensor is a brake sensor, the first state is a deactivated state of the brake, and the second state is an activated state of the brake.

7. The patient support apparatus of claim 6, wherein, the component is a nurse call interface configured to communicatively connect to a nurse call system jack mounted to an end wall of a healthcare facility, the sensor is a nurse call communication sensor adapted to detect whether the nurse call interface is communicatively connected to the nurse call system jack, the first state is a state in which the nurse call interface is not communicatively connected to the nurse call system jack, and the second state is a state in which the nurse call interface is communicatively connected to the nurse call system jack.

8. The patient support apparatus of claim 5, wherein, the nurse call communication sensor is a sensor adapted to detect whether a nurse call cable is connected between the nurse call interface and the nurse call system jack.

9. The patient support apparatus of claim 5, wherein, ​ 10. The patient support apparatus of claim 9, wherein, ​ 11. The patient support apparatus of claim 5, wherein, The controller is further configured to flash the first, second, and third lights in a synchronous manner when the exit detection system is armed and a patient is off the patient support surface, and the controller is configured to flash the first, second, and third lights at a frequency different from the frequency at which the controller is configured to pulse the first, second, and third lights.

12. The patient support apparatus of claim 11, wherein, The controller is further configured to flash the first, second, and third lights in a non-sinusoidal manner.

13. The patient support apparatus of claim 11, wherein, The controller is further configured to flash the first, second, and third lights in a color different from the color at which the controller is configured to pulse the first, second, and third lights.

14. A patient support apparatus comprising: a support structure having a patient support surface adapted to support a patient thereon; a plurality of wheels to facilitate transport of the patient support apparatus over a floor surface; a monitoring system configured to be in an armed or disarmed state, the monitoring system adapted to monitor a plurality of conditions of the patient support apparatus and to issue an alert when any of the plurality of monitored conditions changes to an undesirable state when in the armed state; a sensor adapted to detect a state of a component of the patient support apparatus; a display; and a controller in communication with the sensor and the display, the controller configured to determine whether the component is in a first state or a second state, to prevent the monitoring system from being armed when the component is in the first state, to provide a reminder indicative of the component when the component is in the first state, and to enable the monitoring system to be in the armed state when the component is in the second state. The reminder includes a state control button configured to enable a user to change the state of the component from the first state to the second state when the state control button is pressed.

15. The patient support apparatus of claim 14, wherein, The reminder includes an ignore control button configured to enable a user to clear the reminder when the ignore control button is pressed.

16. The patient support apparatus of claim 14, wherein, The controller is configured to clear the reminder in response to the state of the component changing from the first state to the second state.

17. The patient support apparatus of claim 14, wherein, 18. The patient support apparatus of claim 14, further comprising: a first rail including an inner surface facing a patient and an outer surface facing away from the patient; a first light connected to the outer surface of the first rail; a second rail opposite the first rail, the second rail including an inner surface facing the patient and an outer surface facing away from the patient; a second light connected to the outer surface of the second rail; a third light connected to a foot end of the support structure; and wherein the controller is further adapted to pulse the first, second, and third lights in a synchronous manner until the component is changed to the second state. The controller is configured to pulse the first, second, and third lights in a sinusoidal manner having a frequency greater than one pulse per second. The controller is further adapted to continue pulsing the first, second, and third lights after the component is changed to the second state but while the monitoring system is in the disarmed state, and to continue until the monitoring system is in the armed state.

19. The patient support apparatus of claim 18, wherein, The component is a brake, the sensor is a brake sensor, the first state is a deactivated state of the brake, and the second state is an activated state of the brake.

20. The patient support apparatus of claim 18, wherein, ​ 21. The patient support apparatus of claim 18, wherein, ​ 22. The patient support apparatus of claim 18, wherein, The component is a nurse call interface configured to communicatively connect to a nurse call system jack mounted to a wall of a healthcare facility, the sensor is a nurse call communication sensor adapted to detect whether the nurse call interface is communicatively connected to the nurse call system jack, the first state is a state in which the nurse call interface is not communicatively connected to the nurse call system jack, and the second state is a state in which the nurse call interface is communicatively connected to the nurse call system jack.

23. The patient support apparatus of claim 22, wherein, The nurse call communication sensor is a sensor adapted to detect whether a nurse call cable is connected between the nurse call interface and the nurse call system jack.

24. The patient support apparatus of claim 18, wherein, The controller is further configured to flash the first, second, and third lights in a synchronous manner when any of the plurality of monitored conditions changes to an undesirable state while the monitoring system is armed, the controller being configured to flash the first, second, and third lights at a different frequency than the frequency at which the controller is configured to pulse the first, second, and third lights.

25. The patient support apparatus of claim 24, wherein, The controller is further configured to flash the first, second, and third lights in a non-sinusoidal manner.

26. The patient support apparatus of claim 24, wherein, The controller is further configured to flash the first, second, and third lights in a different color than the color at which the controller is configured to pulse the first, second, and third lights.

27. A method of operating a patient support apparatus, the patient support apparatus including an exit detection system configured to be in an armed or disarmed state, the exit detection system being adapted to sound an alarm when it is armed and a patient exits the patient support apparatus, the method comprising: determining whether a component of the patient support apparatus is in a first state or a second state, the first state including a state in which the exit detection system is not ready to be armed, and the second state including a state in which the exit detection system is ready to be armed; automatically disabling an arming control button for arming the exit detection system on a user interface of the patient support apparatus when it is determined that the component is in the first state in which the exit detection system is not ready to be armed, and automatically providing a reminder indicating the component when the component is in the first state.

28. A method of operating a patient support apparatus, the patient support apparatus including a monitoring system configured to be in an armed or disarmed state, the monitoring system being adapted to monitor a selected state of a first component of the patient support apparatus and to generate an alarm when the monitoring system is armed and the first component changes to a state different from the selected state, the method comprising: determining whether a second component of the patient support apparatus is in a first state or a second state, the first state including a state in which the monitoring system is not ready to be armed, and the second state including a state in which the monitoring system is ready to be armed; automatically disabling an arming control button for arming the monitoring system on a user interface of the patient support apparatus when it is determined that the second component is in the first state in which the monitoring system is not ready to be armed, and automatically providing a reminder indicating the component when the component is in the first state.

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