Patient Support Apparatus with Automated Infusion Dosage Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current patient support apparatuses lack an effective mechanism to ensure accurate medication dosing, as the weight of the patient is not consistently verified, leading to potential errors in medication delivery rates.
Innovation Solution
A patient support apparatus system that includes a scale system and transceivers for RF communication with infusion pumps, automatically checking the patient's weight and medication dosage against predetermined thresholds, and alerting caregivers if the dosage is outside acceptable limits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual weight verification and dosage checking is performed, then medication safety is improved, but time consumption and labor requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patient support apparatus automatically performs weight verification and dosage checking without requiring manual intervention. The scale system continuously monitors patient weight, the controller automatically retrieves medication dosage information, performs the comparison, and generates alerts when needed, enabling the system to self-verify and self-correct dosage errors
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous feedback loops where the scale system provides real-time weight data to the controller, which compares this data against dosage requirements and provides immediate feedback through visual or audible alerts when dosage thresholds are exceeded, enabling real-time correction of potential errors
2Reliability
If automated weight verification and dosage checking systems are implemented, then medication safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into the patient support apparatus: the scale system for weight measurement, the transceiver for wireless communication, the controller for data processing and dosage verification, and the alert system for notifications are all integrated into a single unified system, reducing the need for separate standalone devices and simplifying the overall system architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The patient support apparatus is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a support structure for patients and as an automated medication safety verification system. The same apparatus that supports the patient also monitors weight, communicates with infusion pumps, verifies dosages, and provides alerts, making the system universally applicable without requiring additional specialized equipment
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
The system reduces medication errors by ensuring that medication delivery rates are accurately adjusted based on the patient's weight, providing real-time alerts for potentially incorrect dosages, thus enhancing patient safety.
Implementation Method 1
The controller is adapted to use radio frequency (RF) communication between the first, second, and third transceivers and an infusion pump to determine a position of the infusion pump relative to the patient support apparatus
Data Source
AI summary
A patient support apparatus for supporting a patient includes first, second, and third transceivers mounted at first, second, and third locations, respectively. A controller is adapted to use radio frequency communication between the first, second, and third transceivers and an infusion pump to determine a position of the infusion pump relative to the patient support apparatus. The controller, and/or a server in communication with the controller, is configured to double-check a dosage of medication being delivered via the infusion pump to the patient in order to help avoid incorrect dosing. The controller and/or server are adapted to automatically retrieve dosage information from the infusion pump, either directly or indirectly, and use the dosage information in combination with the patient's weight, as determined by a scale system on the patient support apparatus, to issue an alert if too high of a dosage is being administered to the patient.