Nurse call system

Abstract

To provide a nurse call system capable of executing calling easily without the presence of a calling device becoming unknown even if it is provided with the calling device that can execute calling wirelessly without using a finger.SOLUTION: A nurse call slave unit 2 includes a wearable slave unit 2c worn on the arm of a patient, which transmits a calling operation signal wirelessly, and includes a receiver 6 for receiving the calling operation signal transmitted by the wearable slave unit 2c and transmitting a calling signal to a corridor lamp 3 in response to the calling operation signal at least in a sickroom. The wearable slave unit 2c includes a movement detection part 73 for detecting a movement of the arm. A wearable slave unit CPU 76 transmits the calling operation signal to the receiver 6 wirelessly upon determination that the movement detected by the movement detection part 73 is a specific movement.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a nurse call system. [Background technology]

[0002] The most common device for patients to call a nurse is a call button that can be operated by pressing a button with a finger, but some patients have difficulty operating the call button. As a calling device for such patients, there is a calling device that is placed on a bed and can be used to make a call by pressing it with the palm or elbow (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-229595 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The call device, which does not require finger pressing, sends out a call signal wirelessly, so there is no signal wire like with conventional call grip buttons. This means that there is no risk of hands or feet getting caught on the signal wire, making it easy to use even when placed on a bed. However, since the position is not fixed, there are problems such as not knowing where the button is when trying to make a call, or accidentally pressing it while turning over in bed, etc.

[0005] In view of these problems, the present invention aims to provide a nurse call system that can be easily called without using a finger, even if it is equipped with a calling device that can be used to make a wireless call without the need to use a finger, and without the location of the calling device becoming unknown. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problem, the invention of claim 1 is a nurse call system comprising a nurse call handset for a patient to call a nurse, a hallway light that relays the call signal sent from the nurse call handset, a nurse call master unit for responding to the call, and a controller that controls communication between the devices, wherein the nurse call handset has a wearable handset that the patient wears on their arm and wirelessly transmits a call operation signal, and at least a receiver is provided in the patient's room that receives the call operation signal and generates and transmits a call signal to the hallway light in response to the call operation signal, and the wearable handset has a motion detection unit that detects arm movement and a motion determination unit that determines whether the detected movement is a specific movement, and the motion determination unit: It can distinguish between multiple types of movement, If the detected movement is determined to be a specific movement, a call operation signal is wirelessly transmitted to the receiver. On the other hand, even if the receiver receives a call operation signal, it suspends transmission of the call signal to the hallway light for a predetermined time, and if a cancel signal is transmitted from the wearable sub-unit during that time, it does not transmit the call signal to the hallway light. If the cancel signal is not received after the predetermined time has elapsed, it transmits the suspended call signal to the control unit. When the wearable sub-unit receives a movement having a predetermined characteristic different from the specific movement, the movement determination unit wirelessly transmits an emergency call operation signal to the receiver. The receiver that receives the emergency call operation signal does not suspend the call signal and transmits the call signal to the hallway light. It is characterized by: With this configuration, even if a calling device that calls wirelessly is provided, the calling device is a wearable handset that is worn on the arm, so the patient's location will never be unknown. In addition, because the calling device can be made by waving the arm or other movements, even patients who have difficulty operating buttons can easily make a call.

[0007] In addition, Even if a call operation signal is sent unintentionally by the patient, it can be cancelled afterwards, preventing malfunctions. Furthermore, since a call can be made without delay by a specific arm movement, patients will not be dissatisfied with the time it takes to make a call, and calls can be made quickly in an emergency.

[0008] Claim 2 The invention is 1 In the configuration described above, the receiver returns a confirmation signal when it receives a call operation signal, and the wearable handset that receives the confirmation signal performs a cancelable operation to notify the patient that the call operation signal can be canceled until a predetermined time has elapsed. According to this configuration, the wearable handset that transmitted the call operation signal operates in a manner that allows cancellation, so that the patient can recognize that the transmitted call operation signal can be canceled, which is convenient.

[0010] Claim 3 The invention of claim 1 or 2In the configuration described above, the wearable handset has a vital sign acquisition unit that acquires vital sign information of the patient wearing it, a threshold value storage unit that stores a threshold value or a normal value range for the acquired vital sign information, and an abnormality determination unit that determines whether the vital sign is abnormal; if the acquired vital sign information exceeds the threshold value or deviates from the normal range, the abnormality determination unit wirelessly transmits an abnormality detection signal to the receiver; and if the receiver receives the abnormality detection signal, it does not hold the call signal but transmits the call signal to the corridor light. With this configuration, if vital information such as pulse rate deviates from the normal range, a call signal is sent to call a nurse, so even if the patient does not call, the nurse can recognize the patient's abnormality and take appropriate action.

[0011] Claim 4 The invention of claim 1 or 2 In the configuration described above, the wearable handset has a vital sign acquisition unit that acquires vital sign information of the patient wearing it, a threshold value storage unit that stores a threshold value or a normal value range for the acquired vital sign information, and an abnormality determination unit that determines vital sign abnormalities; when the acquired vital sign information exceeds the threshold value or deviates from the normal range, the abnormality determination unit wirelessly transmits an abnormality detection signal to the receiver; when the receiver receives the abnormality detection signal, it transmits a vital sign abnormality occurrence signal, which is different from the call signal, to the corridor light; and when the nurse call master unit receives the vital sign abnormality occurrence signal via the corridor light and the control device, it performs a notification operation different from that when it receives a call signal. With this configuration, if vital signs such as pulse rate deviate from the normal range, a notification signal is sent to the nurse call base unit, allowing the nurse to recognize that something is wrong with the patient even without receiving a call from the patient and take appropriate action. The nurse call base unit then sends a notification using a different action than the call signal, allowing the nurse to recognize that something is wrong with the patient and easily respond. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the present invention, even if a calling device that makes calls wirelessly is provided, the calling device is a wearable handset that is worn on the arm, so the patient's location will not become unknown. Furthermore, since the calling device can be made by waving the arm or other movements, even patients who have difficulty operating buttons can easily make a call. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a configuration diagram showing an example of a nurse call system according to the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a plate slave unit. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a wearable sub-device. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a receiver. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a nurse call system according to the present invention. The nurse call system 1 includes a nurse call handset (hereinafter simply referred to as a "handset") 2 installed at each bed to call a nurse, a hallway light 3 installed in each hospital room to relay call signals and notify the user of calls, a nurse call master unit (hereinafter simply referred to as a "master unit") 4 installed at the nurse's station to notify the user of calls and respond to calls, and a controller 5 that controls communication between devices. Reference numeral 10 denotes a LAN trunk line, and the hallway light 3, master unit 4, and controller 5 are connected to the LAN via a hub 7.

[0015] The handset 2 has a call grip button 2a and a wearable handset 2c as calling devices, and a plate handset 2b with a calling function, to which a receiver 6 is connected. The call grip button 2a is connected to the plate handset 2b by a signal line, and a call signal is output by operating the button. It should be noted that not all handset units 2 are equipped with a wearable handset unit 2c, and only for patients who require a wearable handset unit 2c, a wearable handset unit 2c and a receiver 6 are installed in addition to the call grip button 2a.

[0016] Figure 2 shows a block diagram of plate handset 2b. Plate handset 2b is installed on a wall, and as shown in Figure 2, includes a communication circuit 21 equipped with a microphone 21a and speaker 21b for making calls, a staff call button 22 for a nurse to request help, a recovery button 23 for terminating the call operation, a plate handset CPU 24 for controlling plate handset 2b, a first connection unit 25 for connecting the call grip button 2a, a second connection unit 26 for connecting the receiver 6, and a plate handset communication IF 27 for communicating with the corridor light 3.

[0017] Fig. 3 shows a block diagram of the wearable sub-unit 2c. As shown in Fig. 3, the wearable sub-unit 2c includes a display unit 71 consisting of an LCD for displaying information, an operation unit 72 formed integrally with the display unit 71 for performing setting operations, a movement detection unit 73 for detecting movement of the arm or wrist on which the wearable sub-unit 2c is worn, a pulse sensor 74 as a vital sign acquisition unit for obtaining pulse information, a memory unit 75 for storing thresholds for determining abnormalities (upper and lower pulse limits, etc.), a wearable sub-unit CPU 76 for determining whether the detected movement is a set calling operation and for controlling the wearable sub-unit 2c, a communication unit 77 for wireless communication with the receiver 6, and a power source 78 consisting of a storage battery.

[0018] The motion detection unit 73 incorporates a gyro sensor and detects the direction and magnitude of shaking (vibration). The wearable sub-device CPU 76 can distinguish between a vertical shake of the arm or wrist and a horizontal shake from the detection information of the motion detection unit 73, and can distinguish between a rotational motion of the arm or wrist and a left-right shake, etc., and has the function of a motion determination unit. The operation for determining that a call operation has been performed is set by a setting operation from the operation unit 72. When the set movement is detected from the information detected by the movement detection unit 73, the wearable handset CPU 76 generates a call operation signal and causes the communication unit 77 to transmit the signal.

[0019] 4 shows the configuration of the receiver 6. The receiver 6 includes a timer unit 61, a receiver CPU 62 that controls the receiver 6, a communication unit 63 that communicates wirelessly with the wearable sub-device 2c, a receiver communication IF 64 that outputs a call signal to the outside, and the like.

[0020] The corridor light 3 is equipped with a call indicator light 3a that indicates the occurrence of a call when a call is made by a patient in the relevant hospital room, and a display unit 3b that displays patient information.When a signal such as a call signal is received from the plate handset 2b, the corridor light 3 adds the hospital room number, etc., and transmits it to the control unit 5.

[0021] The base unit 4 is equipped with a handset 41 for answering calls, a patient information display unit 42 for displaying a list of patient information, etc., and a caller information display unit 43 for displaying caller information, etc. when a call signal is received.

[0022] The operation of the nurse call system configured as described above is as follows: However, since the call operation using the call grip button 2a is the same as in the conventional system, a description thereof will be omitted, and instead, the call operation by operating or moving the wearable handset 2c will be described. When using the wearable sub-device 2c, a motion that is determined to be a call operation is first set. The wearable sub-device 2c is capable of outputting three types of signals: a normal call, an emergency call, and an abnormality notification. Here, it is assumed that a normal call operation is set to be a vertical (up and down) motion two or more times, and an emergency call operation is set to be a motion of rotating the arm two or more times. This setting is made by a predetermined setting operation on the operation unit 72.

[0023] Thereafter, when the patient wearing the wearable sub-device 2c performs the action set as a calling action, i.e., swinging their arm vertically two or more times, the wearable sub-device CPU 76 recognizes this as a calling action and wirelessly transmits a calling operation signal. This calling operation signal is transmitted by short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) and is received by a nearby receiver 6.

[0024] In the receiver 6 that has received the call operation signal, the transmission of the call signal to the corridor light 3 is put on hold under the control of the receiver CPU 62, the timer unit 61 is activated and begins counting a predetermined time such as 10 seconds, and a confirmation signal is sent back to the wearable sub-unit 2c notifying that cancellation is possible.

[0025] Upon receiving the confirmation signal, the wearable device 2c performs a cancelable operation to notify the user that the call can be canceled by displaying a message on the display unit 71, sounding a buzzer, vibrating, etc. This cancelable operation is performed until a cancel operation is performed or while cancellation is possible. This cancelable operation allows the patient to recognize that a call operation signal has been sent and that the signal can be canceled. If the sent call operation signal is incorrect, the patient can perform a cancel operation to send a cancel signal. Specifically, when the patient performs a predetermined cancel operation, the wearable sub-device 2c determines that cancellation has occurred and generates and transmits a cancel signal to the receiver 6. Upon receiving this cancel signal, the receiver 6 stops sending the call signal.

[0026] The cancel action is the same as the action of generating a call signal, for example, and when the patient understands the action of calling a nurse, the patient also understands that the same action is also the cancel action.

[0027] On the other hand, if the timer unit 61 counts up without receiving a cancel signal, a call signal is output from the receiver communication IF 64 at that point and transmitted to the plate slave unit 2b. This call signal is the same as the call signal generated by operating the call grip button 2a, and is transmitted from the plate slave unit 2b to the corridor light 3, and the corridor light 3 adds information about the slave unit 2, room number information, etc., to the call signal before transmitting it to the base unit 4 via the controller 5. At this time, the controller 5 adds patient information associated with the slave unit 2 to the call signal.

[0028] Upon receiving the call signal, the base unit 4 performs a call operation such as sounding a call tone, and the patient information of the caller is displayed on the caller information display unit 43. This call operation is the same as a call made using the call grip button 2a, and when the base unit 4 is answered, a communication path is established with the handset 2 that sent the call signal, allowing communication between the nurse and the patient.

[0029] Next, a case where an emergency call operation is performed will be described. When a preset emergency call operation, i.e., an operation of rotating the arm two or more times, is performed, the wearable sub-device 2c detects this and transmits an emergency call operation signal. When the receiver 6 receives the emergency call operation signal, it does not start the timer unit 61 but immediately outputs a call signal to the plate slave unit 2b. The plate slave unit 2b that receives the call signal operates in the same manner as described above, and notifies the base unit 4 of the occurrence of the call by sounding an alarm or the like. Hereinafter, a description of the operation will be omitted.

[0030] When the wearable sub-unit 2c transmits an emergency call operation signal, it may perform a call operation different from the call signal. For example, the receiver 6 that receives the emergency call operation signal may transmit an emergency call signal different from the call signal to the hallway light 3, and the base unit 4 that receives this emergency call signal may sound a call tone different from the call signal to notify the nurse that an emergency call has occurred. This call operation different from a normal call allows the nurse to recognize that an emergency call has occurred as soon as the call occurs, making it easier for them to prepare for a prompt response.

[0031] Furthermore, if the pulse rate measured by the pulse sensor 74 falls outside the set range, the following operation is carried out. If the pulse rate falls outside the set range, the wearable sub-unit CPU 76 recognizes this and transmits an abnormality detection signal. The receiver 6 receives this abnormality detection signal and transmits a vital sign abnormality signal, which is different from a call signal or an emergency call signal, to the corridor light 3. The vital sign abnormality signal is a call signal with a flag attached indicating an abnormality in the vital signs, and is transmitted from the corridor light 3 to the base unit 4 via the control unit 5.

[0032] Upon receiving this vital sign abnormality signal, the base unit 4 issues a notification sound that is different from the call signal and the emergency call signal, and displays on the caller information display unit 43 that the call is due to a vital sign abnormality. Incidentally, even when an abnormality detection signal is received, the signal transmitted from the receiver 6 may be the same as the call signal used by the patient to call a nurse.

[0033] Even if a calling device that makes calls wirelessly is provided, the calling device is a wearable handset 2c that is worn on the arm, so the patient's location will never become unknown. In addition, because the calling device can be made by waving the arm or other movements, even patients who have difficulty operating buttons can easily make a call. Furthermore, the receiver 6 holds the call operation signal for a certain period of time even if it receives one, and if it receives a cancellation signal during that time, it stops sending the call signal, so that even if a call occurs that the patient does not intend, it can be canceled, and malfunction of the wearable sub-unit 2c can be prevented. In addition, since the wearable handset 2c displays that the call can be canceled, the patient can recognize that the transmitted call signal can be canceled, which is convenient. Furthermore, since a call can be made without delay with a specific arm movement, patients will not be dissatisfied with the time it takes to make a call, and calls can be made quickly in an emergency. Also, if the pulse rate deviates from the normal range, the base unit 4 is notified, so nurses can recognize the patient's abnormality even without a call from the patient and take appropriate measures. Moreover, because the notification is made using a different action from the call signal, the occurrence of a patient abnormality can be recognized by the notification action, making it easier to respond. Furthermore, even when a call is made using the wearable handset 2c, a call can be made between the nurse and the patient in the same way as when the call grip button 2a is operated, and nursing duties can be carried out without delay.

[0034] In the above embodiment, the receiver 6 is connected to the plate slave unit 2b, but it may be built into the plate slave unit 2b, or may be connected to the corridor light 3 instead of the plate slave unit 2b. Furthermore, although the pulse rate is measured as vital information of the patient to determine whether there is anything wrong with the patient, the blood pressure may be measured periodically, or the body temperature may be measured to determine whether there is anything wrong with the patient. Furthermore, although the case where a patient calls a nurse from their bed has been described, because wearable sub-unit 2c wirelessly calls the nurse, it is possible to transmit a call signal even if the patient is not in bed or near the bed. For example, if receivers 6 are placed at predetermined intervals in common areas such as the hallway in front of the patient's room or a lounge, it will be possible for the wearable sub-unit 2c to call a nurse even if the patient is outside the room. Furthermore, in such a case, if the location information of receiver 6 is added to the call signal and transmitted from receiver 6, the location of the receiver that made the call can be determined, which is useful for determining the patient's location. Furthermore, if the wearable handset 2c is provided with a location information transmission function and is linked to a location recognition system such as IMES installed in the hospital, it will be possible to more accurately grasp the location of the patient who made the call. [Explanation of symbols]

[0035] 1··Nurse call system, 2··Nurse call handset, 2a··Call grip button, 2b··Plate handset, 2c··Wearable handset, 3··Corridor light, 4··Nurse call main unit, 5··Controller, 6··Receiver, 61··Timer unit, 73··Motion detection unit, 74··Pulse sensor (vital sign acquisition unit), 75··Memory unit (threshold memory unit), 76··Wearable handset CPU (motion determination unit, abnormality determination unit).

Claims

1. A nurse call system comprising a nurse call handset for a patient to call a nurse, a hallway light that relays a call signal sent from the nurse call handset, a nurse call master unit that responds to calls, and a controller that controls communication between the devices. The nurse call handset includes a wearable handset that is worn by a patient on the arm and transmits a call operation signal wirelessly; a receiver is provided in at least the patient room, which receives the call operation signal, generates the call signal in response to the call operation signal, and transmits the call signal to the hallway light; the wearable sub-device has a motion detection unit that detects arm motion and a motion determination unit that determines whether the detected motion is a specific motion; The motion determination unit can distinguish between a plurality of types of motion, and when it determines that the detected motion is a specific motion, it wirelessly transmits the call operation signal to the receiver, while The receiver, even when receiving the call operation signal, suspends transmission of the call signal to the hallway light for a predetermined time, and if a cancellation signal is transmitted from the wearable sub-device during that time, does not transmit the call signal to the hallway light, and if the cancellation signal is not received after the predetermined time has elapsed, transmits the suspended call signal to the controller, and When the wearable sub-device receives a motion having a predetermined characteristic different from the specific motion, the motion determination unit wirelessly transmits an emergency call operation signal to the receiver; A nurse call system characterized in that the receiver, upon receiving the emergency call operation signal, does not hold the call signal but transmits the call signal to the hallway light.

2. The receiver returns a confirmation signal upon receiving the call operation signal, The nurse call system of claim 1, characterized in that the wearable handset that receives the confirmation signal performs a cancellation operation to notify the patient that the call operation signal can be canceled until the specified time has elapsed.

3. the wearable sub-device has a vital sign acquisition unit that acquires vital sign information of a patient wearing the wearable sub-device, a threshold value storage unit that stores a threshold value or a normal value range of the acquired vital sign information, and an abnormality determination unit that determines an abnormality in the vital sign; When the acquired vital information exceeds a threshold value or deviates from a normal range, the abnormality determination unit wirelessly transmits an abnormality detection signal to the receiver, 3. The nurse call system according to claim 1, wherein the receiver, upon receiving the abnormality detection signal, does not hold the call signal but transmits the call signal to the hallway light.

4. the wearable sub-device has a vital sign acquisition unit that acquires vital sign information of a patient wearing the wearable sub-device, a threshold value storage unit that stores a threshold value or a normal value range of the acquired vital sign information, and an abnormality determination unit that determines an abnormality in the vital sign; When the acquired vital information exceeds a threshold value or deviates from a normal range, the abnormality determination unit wirelessly transmits an abnormality detection signal to the receiver, When the receiver receives the abnormality detection signal, it transmits a vital abnormality occurrence signal different from the call signal to the corridor light, The nurse call system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the nurse call master unit, upon receiving the vital sign abnormality signal via the corridor light and the controller, performs a notification operation different from that performed upon receiving a call signal.

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