A person support apparatus includes a base, a controller, and a barrier having at least one electrical device. The base includes mounting structures for releasably mounting the barrier to the base. A first electrical connector is in communication with the at least one electrical device and mounted to the barrier. A second electrical connector is in communication with the controller and mounted at one of the mounting structures for connection with the first electrical connector when the barrier is mounted to the base at the mounting structures.

A power transfer system comprises a patient transport apparatus and a power transfer device. The power transfer system provides convenience and ease of connection between a power source and the patient transport apparatus to provide power to one or more electrically powered devices on the patient transport apparatus or to provide energy for an energy storage device on the patient transport apparatus.

A system and a method for managing patient therapy protocols are disclosed. The system includes a patient support apparatus for supporting a patient, a first input device for use by a first caregiver, a location system for determining a location of the first caregiver, and a therapy management system. The therapy management system receives a location of the first caregiver and a selection of a patient therapy protocol, which includes a location requirement. The therapy management system then determines whether the first caregiver location input signal satisfies the location requirement before initiating the selected patient therapy protocol or notifying a second caregiver if the location of the first caregiver does not satisfy the location requirement.

Powered patient support apparatuses—such as beds, cots, stretchers, or the like—include a plurality of user controls that allow a caregiver to control the steering and/or driving of one or more powered wheels from multiple different locations around the patient support apparatus (e.g. head end, foot end, and/or the sides). The control is carried out by force sensors that detect both an orientation of the applied forces and a magnitude of the applied forces. Translational and/or rotational movement is effectuated, depending upon the magnitude and direction of the forces, as well as the physical location of the applied force relative to a reference point on the support apparatus, such as the center. One or more object sensors may also be included in the support apparatus to assist in steering and/or navigating.

A patient support apparatus comprising a support frame and a patient support deck operatively attached to the support frame. The patient support deck has at least one deck section arranged for movement relative to the support frame. An actuator is arranged to move the deck section between an initial configuration and one or more raised configurations relative to the support frame. A link supports the deck section for movement with respect to the support frame. The link has a first end pivotally attached to the support frame, a second end pivotally attached to the deck section, and a protruding stop formed between the first end and the second end arranged to abut the deck section so as to prevent the actuator from moving the deck section beyond a maximum raised configuration.

A user module for a patient support apparatus is provided. The user module has a user interface operably coupled thereto. The user interface includes an input device and an output device. The output device includes a visual display including textual and non-textual elements. The non-textual elements include enhanced, graphical, and animated portions relating to one or more operational features of the patient support or to a person positionable on the patient support. The input device includes one or more touch sensors corresponding to defined regions of the visual display.

A user module for a patient support is provided. The user module is coupled to a patient support barrier, such as a siderail or a footboard.

A patient support apparatus, such as a bed, cot, stretcher, or the like, includes a frame, a support surface, an emitter, a detector, and a controller. The emitter and detector are coupled to the patient support apparatus at first and second locations, respectively. The emitter is adapted to emit electromagnetic waves in a direction aimed toward the detector. The detector is adapted to detect the electromagnetic waves emitted from the emitter. The controller is adapted to perform a spectral analysis of the detected electromagnetic waves to determine a parameter associated with the gas exhaled by a patient positioned on the patient support apparatus. The parameter may refer to a carbon dioxide level of gas exhaled by the patient, the patient's respiration rate, the patient's metabolic rate, or the like. The emitter, detector, and controller may alternatively be separate from, but attachable to, and in communication with, the patient support apparatus.

Powered patient support apparatuses—such as beds, cots, stretchers, or the like—include a plurality of user controls that allow a caregiver to control the steering and/or driving of one or more powered wheels from multiple different locations around the patient support apparatus (e.g. head end, foot end, and/or the sides). The control is carried out by force sensors that detect both an orientation of the applied forces and a magnitude of the applied forces. Translational and/or rotational movement is effectuated, depending upon the magnitude and direction of the forces, as well as the physical location of the applied force relative to a reference point on the support apparatus, such as the center. One or more object sensors may also be included in the support apparatus to assist in steering and/or navigating.

A patient support apparatus includes a computer supported thereon that acts as a thin client for at least one network service available on a remote network to which the patient support apparatus has access. The thin client architecture of the patient support apparatus enables the patient support apparatus to dynamically change its functions, algorithms, features and other aspects more easily. The thin client architecture may be applied to generating alerts, performing maintenance functions, analyzing sensor data—including, but not limited to—weight sensors used to detect weight distributions on the patient support apparatus, implementing patient care protocols, performing patient assessments, accumulating information for billing, and monitoring patient movement. The patient support apparatuses may also function as local WiFi hotspots and/or as software access points to the healthcare network and/or the Internet. One or more Software-as-a-Service applications may run on the patient support apparatus.