Patient Support Apparatus Service Scheduling and Notification
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge in healthcare facilities is efficiently servicing patient support apparatuses, such as beds and stretchers, as they often continue to be in use when they require maintenance, preventing technicians from performing necessary servicing.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that coordinate the availability of patient support apparatuses for servicing, using a controller to notify users of service events and limit functionality based on severity levels, allowing for more efficient usage and preventing the use of apparatuses needing high-priority service.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If patient support apparatuses continue to be used while needing servicing, then equipment availability is maintained, but servicing cannot be performed timely
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by notifying users in advance of service needs and proactively limiting apparatus functionality before complete failure occurs. The controller detects service events and restricts operation beforehand, allowing scheduled servicing without complete equipment downtime.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts apparatus functionality based on service priority levels. The controller can partially or completely limit operations depending on the detected service event severity, enabling flexible resource allocation where critical apparatus are taken offline while non-critical ones remain operational.
2Productivity
If technician servicing schedules are coordinated with apparatus availability, then servicing efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus performs self-service by automatically detecting service events and communicating their own service needs to the scheduling system. Each apparatus monitors its own components and autonomously reports when servicing is required, eliminating the need for manual inspection and scheduling requests.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback loops where the controller continuously monitors component status, detects service events, and communicates back to the scheduling system. This automatic feedback mechanism enables dynamic coordination between apparatus availability and technician scheduling without complex manual intervention.
3Reliability
If functionality is limited based on service event severity, then safety is improved, but operational flexibility decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by selectively limiting specific functions based on the type and severity of service events detected. Rather than completely shutting down the apparatus, the controller restricts only the affected components or operations while allowing other functions to continue normally, maintaining operational flexibility where safe.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller dynamically changes operational parameters based on detected service events, adjusting functionality limits according to the severity level. This enables the system to adapt its operation in real-time, maintaining safety while preserving maximum possible operational capability through parameter adjustment rather than complete shutdown.
Data Source
AI summary
Patient support apparatuses include a frame, support surface, and a controller. The controller provides notification to a user of a service event relating to the patient support apparatus. The controller limits functionality of a component of the patient support apparatus based upon a severity of the service event. The controller may also, or alternatively, detect when a control is activated by a user and, in response to such activation, determine whether the patient support apparatus has been marked for use or marked for servicing. If marked for use, the controller responds in a first manner, and if marked for service, the controller responds in a different manner. In other embodiments, a method is provided for determining an order in which multiple patient support apparatuses should be service. In still other embodiments, the patient support apparatus automatically changes to an unusable configuration when in need of high priority service.