Multi-alert lights for hospital bed
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current alert lights on hospital beds are not sufficiently informative, as caregivers cannot determine which specific condition is causing an alert without a visual inspection, leading to inefficiencies in identifying and addressing issues.
Innovation Solution
A patient support apparatus with an alert light assembly featuring separate zones that can be individually illuminated, each with a lens and indicia to indicate specific alert conditions, allowing for clear communication of status from a distance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a single alert light is used to indicate multiple conditions, then the device complexity is reduced, but the information conveyed is insufficient and caregivers cannot identify specific issues
Solution Approach 1:
The alert light assembly is divided into multiple separate zones, each corresponding to a specific monitored condition. Each zone can be independently illuminated to indicate the status of that particular condition, allowing caregivers to identify specific issues without requiring additional external indicators.
2Illumination intensity
If small LED lights are used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the lights cannot be seen from a distance and require close-up inspection
Solution Approach 1:
The alert light assembly is divided into multiple separate zones, each corresponding to a specific monitored condition. Each zone can be independently illuminated to indicate the status of that particular condition, allowing caregivers to identify specific issues without requiring additional external indicators.
3Loss of information
If multiple separate indicators are provided for each condition, then the information conveyed is sufficient, but the device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple alert indicators for different conditions are merged into a single integrated alert light assembly. The assembly contains multiple zones that can be independently illuminated, combining the functions of multiple separate indicators into one compact unit that fits within the lateral frame member.
4Illumination intensity
If the alert light assembly is made larger to be visible from distance, then the illumination intensity is improved, but the space available in the lateral frame member is limited
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple alert indicators for different conditions are merged into a single integrated alert light assembly. The assembly contains multiple zones that can be independently illuminated, combining the functions of multiple separate indicators into one compact unit that fits within the lateral frame member.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables caregivers to quickly identify and address specific alert conditions on hospital beds from a distance, improving efficiency and reducing the need for close-up inspections.
Implementation Method 1
The alert light assembly may have separate zones that may be individually illuminated to convey information regarding respective alert conditions
Data Source
AI summary
A patient support apparatus, such as a hospital bed, includes an alert light assembly or an alert light module having separate zones that are individually illuminated to convey information regarding respective alert conditions. The zones each have indicia related to a particular condition of the patient support apparatus. The illuminated zones are each sufficiently large so as to be seen from afar, such as on the order of ten feet or more. Alternatively or additionally, a GUI of the patient support apparatus displays alert indicia as part of a screen saver. Further alternatively or additionally, the patient support apparatus illuminates an alert light in a manner indicating an optimal time for taking a patient's vital signs.