Systems, methods, and techniques for operating a patient support apparatus are disclosed. The patient support apparatus includes moveable components and actuators to actuate the components. A user interface receives a user input to manipulate the actuatable components and produces an input signal in response to receiving the user input. A behavior controller receives the input signal from the user interface, generates a motion command signal based on the input signal, and transmits the motion command signal. A motion controller receives the motion command signal from the behavior controller and receives feedback signals from one or more of the actuators. The feedback signals are provided solely to the motion controller. The motion controller controls one or more of the actuators to actuate one or more of the actuatable components based on the motion command signal and the feedback signals.

A patient support apparatus comprises a support frame and a patient support deck carried by the support frame. The patient support deck has a foot section configured to articulate relative to the support frame. A deck extension assembly comprises an extension frame and a deck extension section configured to extend and retract relative to the support frame. One more bearings are arranged between the deck extension section and the support frame. The deck extension section is movably coupled to the extension frame so that the deck extension section is able to move relative to the extension frame and relative to the foot section when the deck extension section extends and retracts relative to the support frame such that the deck extension section maintains contact with the bearing when extending and retracting relative to the support frame.

A patient turner system is herein disclosed. The system is used in unison with a patient bed to facilitate turning of a patient lying in the bed. The turner system generally includes a base frame, a pair of posts, a pair of bearings that move along the posts, a pair of actuators for moving the bearings, and at least one controller for selectively operating the pair of actuators. A sheet is coupled with the pair of bearings such that movement of the bearings adjusts a position of the sheet to turn a patient in the patient bed.

A patient support apparatus, such as a bed, cot, stretcher, etc., for supporting a patient includes an exit detection system with multiple user-selectable modes of operation that each have different sensitivity levels for triggering an exit alert. The exit detection system also includes one or more non-user selectable modes of operation that are automatically implemented in response to a triggering action. For example, a transition mode may be automatically implemented when the user attempts to switch from a first user-selectable mode to a different user selectable mode, or a motion mode may be automatically implemented when movement of one or more components of the patient support apparatus occurs. In the transition mode, the exit detection system may use a least restrictive sensitivity level. In the motion mode, the exit detection system may inhibit exit alerts and/or change the criteria for issuing the exit alert.

A patient support apparatus supports a patient and comprises a litter. The litter comprises a patient support deck and extends longitudinally between first and second ends. A base is configured to support the litter and comprises a base lift mechanism configured to move the litter between lifted and lowered base positions. A side ramp is coupled to the patient support deck along the litter between the first and second ends and extends laterally away from the patient support deck to an engagement end. The side ramp is pivotable relative to the litter between first and second positions. In the first position, the side ramp is planar with or angled upwardly to extend above the patient support deck. In the second position, the side ramp is angled downwardly to extend below the patient support deck for contacting the floor surface with the engagement end when in the lowered base position.

A patient transport apparatus for transporting a patient over a surface. The patient transport apparatus has support wheels coupled to a base and swivelable about swivel axes. An auxiliary wheel assembly is coupled to the base and includes an auxiliary wheel configured to move between a plurality of wheel positions, and an actuator operably coupled to the auxiliary wheel to move the auxiliary wheel between the plurality of wheel positions. A sensing system with a sensor is provided to detect a motion condition of the patient transport apparatus. A controller is coupled to the sensing system and to the actuator, and is configured to drive the actuator to move the auxiliary wheel between the plurality of wheel positions based on the motion condition of the patient transport apparatus.

A number of patient beds are disclosed. Some patient beds have siderails that are movable by a patient so that the patient can egress from the bed without interference from the siderails. Various caregiver control panels and patient control panels for controlling features and functions of a patient bed are also disclosed. For example, a cart with caregiver control inputs, including hand inputs on a graphical user interface (GUI) and foot inputs, is disclosed. Patient positioning and transfer devices are also disclosed. Various types of in-bed physical therapy devices are also disclosed.

A patient bed includes turn assist panels to rotate portions of a mattress. Some patient beds have siderails that are movable by a patient so that the patient can egress from the bed without interference from the siderails. Some patient beds have caregiver control panels for controlling features and functions of the patient bed, such as movement of the turn assist panels.

A bed rail for engagement between a mattress and a box spring and having a base support and a guard frame, with guard frame having a pivot that pivots and slides in the base support. The base support includes a first seat that seats the pivot and a second seat that seats a biased piece sliding axially on a first support member of the guard frame. The first support member extends from a plastic piece that forms a junction from which a second support member and the pivot extend and that nestles up to the second seat.

There is provided a bed system for turning a patient, which system is simple to install on existing beds and which does not require any modification of the existing bed. The bed system has a base frame with attachment means for attachment of the bed system to an existing frame of a hospital bed. First and second sections with bed elements ensure proper support for the patient, and these sections are pivotally movable around an axis parallel with the length of the patient.