Patient Support Guidance Protocol for Caregiver Troubleshooting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional patient support systems have increasingly complex user interfaces that are difficult for users, especially caregivers unfamiliar with their operation, lacking adequate guidance and troubleshooting tools, which complicates the control of advanced operational functions.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a user-friendly touchscreen interface with a guidance protocol that provides step-by-step instructions and troubleshooting assistance, accessible directly through the user interface, including voice integration and remote assistance via videoconferencing, to simplify the operation of patient support systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional user interfaces with panels of buttons are used to control patient support apparatus functions, then operational functions can be controlled, but the interface becomes increasingly difficult to operate for users unfamiliar with its operation
Solution Approach 1:
A camera captures images of the patient support apparatus and displays them on a screen, serving as an intermediary visual guide between the complex apparatus and the user. The camera images show the apparatus in different operational states, helping users understand what each button controls without needing to memorize complex interface functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides visual feedback by displaying captured images on a screen, allowing users to see the current state of the apparatus and understand the effect of their button presses. This feedback loop helps users learn the interface through observation rather than memorization.
2Adaptability or versatility
If advanced operational functions are integrated into the patient support apparatus, then the system becomes more capable, but the user interface becomes inherently more difficult to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The camera acts as an intermediary that translates the complex physical state of the apparatus into simple visual representations on a screen. Users can see what each operational function does through images rather than having to understand complex technical specifications or interface layouts.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates visual copies (images) of the patient support apparatus in different operational states and displays them on a screen. These visual copies serve as references that help users understand the apparatus functions without directly interacting with the complex physical interface.
3Ease of operation
If users lack familiarity with the user interface operation, then they can still access basic functions, but they lack adequate guidance and troubleshooting tools
Solution Approach 1:
The camera continuously captures images of the apparatus before and during user interaction, preparing visual guidance material in advance. This preliminary capture of images provides ready-to-display visual references that guide users through operations and troubleshooting without requiring users to search for information.
Solution Approach 2:
The display screen serves as an intermediary that provides both visual guidance information and troubleshooting help to users. By showing captured images of the apparatus in various states, the system delivers comprehensive operational guidance without adding physical complexity to the interface.
Data Source
AI summary
A patient support system for providing improved guidance and/or troubleshooting with respect to a patient support apparatus. A user interface is configured to receive inputs from a user, and an information output device is configured to provide instructions to the user. A controller determines a guidance protocol for the user based on the inputs. The guidance protocol comprises user-performed actions to be performed by the user in response to the instructions provided to the user with the information output device. The guidance protocol may be initiated and/or determined based on a troubleshooting request and/or an uncorrelated sequence of user inputs. At least one of the user-performed actions may be configured to control operational functions of a patient support apparatus. Methods for improving patient care by providing the guidance and/or troubleshooting are also disclosed.