Nurse call system

Abstract

This nurse call system reduces the likelihood of startling patients when the system unintentionally enters a call state. [Solution] In a system where a call state is activated when a preset patient posture / movement is detected based on the image captured by camera 5, two types of operation modes are set for the LED 22 that notifies that the system is in a call state, and these modes are associated with the detection time when the preset patient posture / movement is detected. The nurse call master unit 3 can select and set the operation mode of the LED 22 when the system is in a call state. Furthermore, the control unit 4 controls the lighting operation of the LED 22 based on the set operation mode.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a nurse call system having a camera for imaging a patient.

Background Art

[0002] As a conventionally well-known nurse call system, there is one provided with a camera for imaging a patient near a bed in a hospital room or the like as a detecting means for detecting the state of the patient (for example, Patent Document 1). In such a nurse call system, when a preset patient posture / action such as the patient getting up, sitting upright, or getting out of bed is detected based on the video imaged by the camera, the nurse call sub-unit associated with the camera enters a calling state similar to the case where a calling operation is performed, and a communication path is formed between the nurse call sub-unit and the nurse call main unit in response to a response operation on the nurse call main unit. Further, along with the calling state, notification operations such as lighting an LED provided in the nurse call sub-unit or outputting a message such as "How are you feeling?" from the speaker of the nurse call sub-unit are executed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, for example, at night, the patient may get up unconsciously, and the patient may enter a calling state unintentionally. Even though it is a calling state based on such an unintentional situation, if a notification operation such as lighting an LED is executed, it may startle the patient, and there is room for improvement in terms of usability.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and aims to provide a nurse call system that can reduce the occurrence of situations where the system unintentionally activates and startles patients. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] To achieve the above objective, the invention described in claim 1 of the present invention is a nurse call system comprising a nurse call sub-unit for a patient to call a nurse, a nurse call master unit for responding to calls from patients, a patient status detection means for detecting the patient's condition, and a control unit for controlling communication between devices, wherein the control unit, when a predetermined state is detected by the patient status detection means, puts the nurse call sub-unit associated with the patient status detection means into a call state to call the nurse call master unit, wherein at least one of the nurse call sub-unit, the patient status detection means, and the installation unit for installing the patient status detection means is provided with notification means for notifying that a call state has been entered, and is provided with operation setting means for setting the operating mode of the notification means and operation control means for controlling the operation of the notification means based on the set operating mode. According to the invention described in claim 1, since the system includes an operation setting means for setting the operating mode of a notification means for notifying that a call state has been reached, and an operation control means for controlling the operation of the notification means based on the set operating mode, for example, by setting the system so that the notification means does not operate even if a call state is reached at night, it is possible to reduce the occurrence of situations where a patient is startled when a call state is reached unintentionally.

[0007] The invention described in claim 2 is characterized in that, in the invention described in claim 1, the patient state detection means is a camera, and when a preset patient posture / movement is detected based on the image captured by the camera, a call state is activated, and the operation mode is associated with the detection time when the preset patient posture / movement is detected and / or the illuminance of the image related to said detection. According to the invention described in claim 2, the patient state detection means is a camera, and when a preset patient posture / movement is detected based on the image captured by the camera, a call state is activated. Furthermore, the operation mode is associated with the detection time and / or the illumination of the image related to the detection of the preset patient posture / movement. For example, even if a change in posture is detected at a time when the patient is expected to be asleep, the notification means can be set not to activate, thereby reliably reducing the occurrence of situations where the patient is startled when the call state is activated unintentionally. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, at least one of the nurse call sub-unit, the patient status detection means, and the installation unit for the patient status detection means is provided with a notification means for notifying that a call state has been activated. Furthermore, an operation setting means for setting the operating mode of the notification means and an operation control means for controlling the operation of the notification means based on the set operating mode are provided.Therefore, for example, by setting the notification means not to operate even if a call state is activated at night, it is possible to reduce the occurrence of situations where a patient is startled in the event that a call state is activated unintentionally. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a system diagram illustrating the overall configuration of the nurse call system. [Figure 2] This is an explanatory diagram showing the cradle in which the camera is installed. [Figure 3] This is a functional block diagram of the camera. [Figure 4] This is a functional block diagram of the control unit. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] The following describes in detail, based on the drawings, a nurse call system that is one embodiment of the present invention.

[0011] Figure 1 is a system diagram showing the overall configuration of the nurse call system 1. Figure 2 is a diagram showing the cradle 10 on which the camera 5 is installed. Figure 3 is a functional block diagram of the camera 5. Figure 4 is a functional block diagram of the controller 4. The nurse call system 1 comprises a nurse call sub-unit 2 installed near each bed in the patient room for patients to call a nurse, a corridor light 6 installed near the entrance of the patient room that notifies the patient of a call operation by the nurse call sub-unit 2 by flashing, etc., and relays the call signal, a nurse call master unit 3 installed in the nurse station, etc., that notifies the patient of a call from the nurse call sub-unit 2 and responds to the call, a camera 5 for imaging the patient, a control unit 4 for controlling communication and video transmission / reception between these devices, and a portable terminal 7 carried by the nurse. The nurse call master unit 3, control unit 4, camera 5, and corridor light 6 are connected to the hospital LAN 100.

[0012] The nurse call sub-unit 2 has a call grip button 2a for the patient to initiate a call, and a plate sub-unit 2b equipped with a communication function. The plate sub-unit 2b is installed on the wall near the bed and has a communication unit equipped with a microphone and speaker (not shown), an LED 22 that indicates the status of the nurse call sub-unit 2, and a connection terminal 21 for connecting the call grip button 2a. The plate sub-unit 2b is also connected to the corridor light 6 via a signal line L1. When the call grip button 2a is pressed on the nurse call sub-unit 2, the plate sub-unit 2b generates a call signal and outputs it to the corridor light 6, and then to the nurse call master unit 3 via the controller 4. Therefore, in the nurse call system 1, when the nurse call master unit 3 responds, a communication path is formed between the nurse call sub-unit 2 and the nurse call master unit 3, which is called a call state.

[0013] The nurse call master unit 3 has a large display unit 31 for displaying ward layouts and patient information lists, a small display unit 32 for displaying caller information from nurse call sub-units 2, and a handset 33 for responding to calls from nurse call sub-units 2. The nurse call master unit 3 also has a master unit communication interface (not shown) for connecting to the hospital LAN 100. When the nurse call master unit 3 receives a call signal from a nurse call sub-unit 2 via the controller 4, as will be described later, caller information is displayed on the small display unit 32, and a communication path is established between the master unit and the calling nurse call sub-unit 2 by performing a predetermined response operation (for example, by operating the handset 33).

[0014] Furthermore, in the nurse call master unit 3, if the calling nurse call sub-unit 2 and the camera 5 are associated, the large display unit 31 will display the image captured by the camera 5 upon receiving a call signal from the nurse call sub-unit 2. In addition, as will be described later, when the camera 5 detects a patient's posture / movement that has been set in advance, the master unit receives a detection signal related to the detection via the control unit 4, the large display unit 31 will display the image captured by the camera 5, and a communication path will be established between the camera 5 and the nurse call sub-unit 2 associated with the camera 5 by performing a predetermined response operation.

[0015] Camera 5 is installed as needed depending on the patient's monitoring requirements and can be mounted on a cradle 10 attached to the wall near the bed so as to capture images of the entire patient being monitored in bed. Camera 5 also includes an imaging unit 51 for capturing images, an image analysis unit 52 for analyzing the images captured by the imaging unit 51, a camera CPU 53 for controlling its own operation, a camera communication interface 54 for connecting to the hospital LAN 100, and a switch interface 55 for connecting to an ID setting board 12 equipped with a DIP switch 11. When the image analysis unit 52 detects a pre-set patient posture / movement such as the patient getting up, sitting on the edge of the bed, or getting out of bed, the camera CPU 53 generates a detection signal and outputs it to the control unit 4.

[0016] Furthermore, upon outputting such a detection signal, as described above, a communication path is established between the nurse call master unit 3 and the nurse call sub-unit 2 associated with the camera 5 through a response operation. In other words, the nurse call system 1 enters the same call state as when a call operation is performed on the nurse call sub-unit 2. However, this call state is different from the call state resulting from a call operation on the nurse call sub-unit 2 (i.e., the call state intended by the patient), and can be said to be a call state not intended by the patient. Therefore, the nurse call system 1 distinguishes the call state resulting from the video analysis of camera 5 as a second call state.

[0017] Furthermore, when installing camera 5 into cradle 10, the ID setting board 12 on cradle 10 is connected to the switch IF55 on camera 5. When camera 5 is started in this state, camera CPU 53 reads the settings of dip switch 11, generates a setting signal associating its own ID with the settings of dip switch 11, and outputs it to controller 4. Note that the settings of dip switch 11 differ for each cradle 10.

[0018] The control unit 4 controls the overall operation of the nurse call system 1, including, for example, the transmission and reception of signals related to the call / response operation between the nurse call sub-unit 2 and the nurse call main unit 3, the monitoring operation of the patient by the camera 5, the notification operation in the nurse call sub-unit 2, etc. It has a control unit CPU 44 for controlling communication between devices and the operation of the control unit 4 itself, a mobile terminal / nurse association table storage unit 41 for storing the association between the mobile terminal 7 and the nurse, a nurse / patient association table storage unit 42 for storing the nurse in charge of the patient in addition to the patient information, a sub-unit / cradle association table storage unit 46 for storing the association between the ID of the nurse call sub-unit 2 and the settings of the dip switch 11 in the cradle 10 corresponding to the nurse call sub-unit 2, a setting information storage unit 43 for storing various setting information, a control unit communication IF 45 for connecting to the in-hospital LAN 100, and a timer 47, etc.

[0019] The corridor light 6 has a call notification unit 6a for notifying that it has entered the call state based on, for example, the operation of the nurse call sub-unit 2 by the patient in the ward or the detection of a preset patient posture / movement, and a patient information display unit 6b for displaying patient information in the ward, etc. The corridor light 6 relays the call signal from the nurse call sub-unit 2 and transmits it to the control unit 4, and also relays the call between the nurse call sub-unit 2 and the nurse call main unit 3 or the mobile terminals 7.

[0020] The mobile terminal 7, for example, is a smartphone, and a communication path can be formed between the nurse call sub-unit 2, the nurse call main unit 3, and between the mobile terminals 7, � via a base station 8 installed at an appropriate location within the hospital. That is, the mobile terminal 7 can respond to a call from the patient by the nurse call sub-unit 2 and can also enable calls between nurses. In addition, the mobile terminal 7 can display the video captured by the camera 5. The base station 8 is connected to a PBX (private branch exchange) 9 via a communication line L2, and the PBX 9 is connected to the controller 4 via a signal line L3. Note that 101 is a HUB that constitutes the in-hospital LAN 100, is composed of a PoE switch, and supplies power to the connected camera 5 and the like.

[0021] Then, the association between the camera 5 and the nurse call sub-unit 2 when the camera 5 is installed in the cradle 10 is performed as follows. First, the case where the camera 5 is installed in the cradle 10 of Room 101 will be described. As described above, when installing in the cradle 10, the switch IF55 of the camera 5 and the ID setting board 12 are connected. Then, the camera 5 reads the setting of the dip switch 11 in the cradle 10 of Room 101, generates a setting signal associated with its own ID based on the setting, and outputs it to the controller 4. On the other hand, when the controller 4 receives the setting signal from the camera 5, it refers to the sub-unit / cradle association table storage unit 46, and associates and stores the camera 5 with the nurse call sub-unit 2 corresponding to the setting of the dip switch 11. That is, in the controller 4, the camera 5 and the nurse call sub-unit 2 in Room 101 are automatically associated, and thus the camera 5 and the patient information in Room 101 are automatically associated.

[0022] Next, the case where the camera 5 installed in Room 101 is replaced with a camera in Room 103 will be described. In that case, the camera 5 is removed from the cradle 10 of Room 101, the camera 5 is installed in the cradle 10 of Room 103, and the switch IF55 of the camera 5 and the ID setting board 12 of the cradle 10 of Room 103 are connected. Then, a setting signal including the setting of the dip switch 11 in the cradle 10 of Room 103 is output to the controller 4. And in the controller 4, with the reception of the new setting signal this time, the association between the camera 5 and the nurse call sub-unit 2 in Room 101 is cleared, and the camera 5 is associated and stored with the nurse call sub-unit 2 in Room 103.

[0023] Here, the notification control in the nurse call sub-unit 2 in the calling state, which is the main part of the present invention, will be described. In the nurse call system 1, when a call is initiated using the nurse call sub-unit 2, or when the camera 5 detects a patient's posture / movement that has been set in advance, a notification operation is performed by lighting up the LED 22 on the plate sub-unit 2b of the corresponding nurse call sub-unit 2. The setting information storage unit 43 of the control unit 4 stores two types of operating modes related to the notification operation, particularly the operating mode for a call state caused by the detection of a patient's posture / movement that has been set in advance by the camera 5: a normal mode and a nighttime light-off mode.

[0024] Normal mode is an operating mode in which, when the camera 5 detects a patient's posture / movement that has been set in advance and a call state is activated, the LED 22 on the plate sub-unit 2b lights up until a response is made on the nurse call master unit 3, regardless of the time of detection. On the other hand, nighttime blackout mode is an operating mode in which, even if the camera 5 detects a patient's posture / movement that has been set in advance and a call state is activated, the LED 22 on the plate sub-unit 2b does not light up if the detection occurs during the blackout period between 9 PM and 6 AM the following morning. However, even in nighttime blackout mode, if the patient's posture / movement that has been set in advance is detected between 6 AM and 9 PM, the LED 22 on the plate sub-unit 2b will light up until a response is made on the nurse call master unit 3. Furthermore, regardless of whether it is normal mode or nighttime blackout mode, if a call is made on the nurse call sub-unit 2, the LED 22 on the plate sub-unit 2b will light up until a response is made on the nurse call master unit 3, regardless of the time of the call.

[0025] Furthermore, in the nurse call system 1, upon installation of camera 5, the operating mode of the nurse call sub-unit 2 associated with camera 5 can be set on the nurse call master unit 3. This setting is accessed via a setting button displayed on the large display unit 31 of the nurse call master unit 3. By operating this setting button, each camera 5 can be set to either normal mode or nighttime light-off mode. Initially, camera 5 is set to normal mode, and if no setting operation is performed, it will remain in normal mode.

[0026] The following describes in detail the notification operation of the plate sub-unit 2b when camera 5 is installed in room 101. For example, if camera 5 detects a patient sitting at 10:00 AM, the controller 4 enters call mode upon receiving the detection signal. The controller 4 also checks the detection time with timer 47, and since the detection time is not within the lights-off period, regardless of whether the operating mode is normal mode or nighttime lights-off mode, the LED 22 on plate sub-unit 2b is illuminated until a response is made at the nurse call master unit 3. Similarly, if camera 5 detects a patient getting up at 10:00 PM, the controller 4 also enters call mode upon receiving the detection signal. The controller 4 also checks the detection time with timer 47, and since the detection time is within the lights-off period, it checks the operating mode of the nurse call sub-unit 2 associated with camera 5. If the operating mode is normal mode, the LED 22 on plate sub-unit 2b is illuminated until a response is made at the nurse call master unit 3, as described above. On the other hand, if the operating mode is nighttime lights-off mode, the controller 4 enters call mode, but does not illuminate the LED 22 on plate sub-unit 2b. Furthermore, if the call button 2a is operated at 11:00 PM, the controller 4 enters a call state upon receiving the call signal. However, since this call state is due to a call operation on the nurse call sub-unit 2, the controller 4 does not check the detection time or operating mode, and instead keeps the LED 22 on the plate sub-unit 2b lit until a response operation is made on the nurse call master unit 3.

[0027] According to the nurse call system 1 having the above configuration, when a preset patient posture / movement is detected based on the image captured by the camera 5, a call state is activated. Two operating modes are set for the LED 22 that notifies that a call state is activated, and these modes are associated with the detection time when the preset patient posture / movement is detected. The nurse call master unit 3 can select and set the operating mode of the LED 22 when a call state is activated. Furthermore, the control unit 4 controls the lighting operation of the LED 22 based on the set operating mode. Specifically, if the nighttime lights-off mode is set, the LED 22 on the plate sub-unit 2b will not light up if the detection time falls within the lights-off period from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. the following morning. Therefore, the occurrence of situations where a patient is startled in the event of an unintentional call state can be reduced.

[0028] Furthermore, a DIP switch 11 is set for each cradle 10 in which the camera 5 is installed, and the control unit 4 is provided with a sub-unit / cradle association table storage unit 46 that stores the association between the ID of the nurse call sub-unit 2 and the setting of the DIP switch 11 in the cradle 10 corresponding to the nurse call sub-unit 2. When the camera 5 is installed in the cradle 10, the ID setting board 12 is connected to the switch IF 55, and the camera CPU 53 reads the setting of the DIP switch 11, generates a setting signal associated with its own ID, and outputs it to the control unit 4. In addition, when the control unit 4 receives the setting signal from the camera 5, it stores the association of the camera 5 with the nurse call sub-unit 2 corresponding to the setting of the DIP switch 11.Therefore, if the setting of the DIP switch 11 and the nurse call sub-unit 2 are associated in advance, there is no need to manually set the link between the camera 5 and the nurse call sub-unit 2 or patient information each time the camera 5 is installed. Therefore, the process can be simplified, especially when changing the installation position of camera 5, resulting in a user-friendly nurse call system 1.

[0029] Furthermore, the nurse call system according to the present invention is not limited in any way to the embodiments described above, and the overall configuration of the nurse call system, as well as the configuration related to the operation control of the notification means, can be modified as necessary without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0030] For example, in the above embodiment, two types of operating modes are set in advance and selected using the operation setting means. However, instead of setting such operating modes, the design can be modified as needed to allow specifying the time as appropriate. Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the operation setting means is the nurse call master unit and control unit, and the operation control means is the control unit. However, it is also possible to use the control unit as the operation setting means, or to use a corridor light as the operation control means. The specific configuration of the operation setting means and operation control means can also be modified as appropriate.

[0031] Furthermore, although the above embodiment provides an LED on the nurse call sub-unit as a notification means, a speaker may be used as a notification means, for example, and a predetermined message may be output from the speaker. The specific configuration of the notification means can also be changed as appropriate. Furthermore, instead of the nurse call handset, the LED could be installed on the cradle or the camera; it is sufficient to have a notification device on at least one of the nurse call handset, patient status detection device, or installation unit.

[0032] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the operation mode of the notification means is associated with the detection time when a preset patient posture / movement is detected, but it may also be associated with the illuminance of the video related to the detection. That is, by performing operation control such that the notification means is not activated if the illuminance of the video falls below a predetermined threshold as a result of analysis by the video analysis unit, the same effect as when it is associated with the detection time can be achieved. Furthermore, although a camera is used as the means for detecting the patient's condition in the above embodiment, it is also possible to use a vital signs monitor instead of a camera as the means for detecting the patient's condition, and to create a nurse call system in which, for example, a call state is activated when the heart rate or blood pressure exceeds a predetermined threshold.

[0033] Furthermore, although the above embodiment describes the camera being installed in a cradle, the camera mounting section may be installed on the ceiling, etc., and the position and specific structure of the mounting section can be modified as appropriate. Furthermore, the operating mode of the notification means in the call state, which occurs when a call is made using the nurse call handset, may also be configured to be controllable. In addition, if multiple cameras are installed in a single patient room, the operating mode may be set for each notification device individually, or it may be possible to configure the system to set the operating mode on a per-patient-room basis. Furthermore, the system may be configured to allow for the simultaneous setting of the operating modes for all notification devices throughout the hospital. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0034] 1. Nurse call system, 2. Nurse call sub-unit, 2b. Plate sub-unit, 3. Nurse call master unit (operation setting means), 4. Controller (operation setting means, operation control means), 5. Camera (patient status detection means), 10. Cradle (installation unit), 22. LED (notification means), 43. Setting information storage unit, 44. Controller CPU, 46. Sub-unit / cradle related table storage unit, 47. Timer.

Claims

1. It comprises a nurse call sub-unit for patients to call a nurse, a nurse call master unit for responding to patient calls, a patient status detection means for detecting the patient's condition, and a control unit for controlling communication between devices. The control unit is a nurse call system that, when a predetermined state is detected by the patient state detection means, puts the nurse call sub-unit associated with the patient state detection means into a call state to call the nurse call master unit, The nurse call sub-unit, the patient status detection means, and the installation unit for installing the patient status detection means are provided with a notification means for notifying that the call state is in effect, A nurse call system characterized by comprising: an operation setting means for setting the operating mode of the notification means; and an operation control means for controlling the operation of the notification means based on the set operating mode.

2. The patient status detection means is a camera, and when a predetermined patient posture / movement is detected based on the image captured by the camera, the call state is activated. The nurse call system according to claim 1, characterized in that the aforementioned operating mode is associated with the detection time and / or the illuminance of the video related to the detection when the preset patient posture / movement is detected.

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