Patient/nurse call system
First Claim
1. A patient/nurse call system comprising:
- a plurality of transmitters adapted to be carried by hospital personnel, each transmitter periodically transmitting an identification signal unique to that transmitter;
a plurality of patient locations, each of the plurality of patient locations being associated with a patient and includinga microprocessor,a receiver for receiving the identification signals from the plurality of transmitters, anda microphone and speaker for audio communications;
a master station location remote from the patient locations, the master station location havinga microprocessor, anda microphone and speaker for audio communications;
a first PBX operatively connected between the microprocessor at the master station location and each of the microprocessors at the plurality of patient locations for providing all data communications between any of the plurality of patient locations and the master station location and further providing all audio communications between the plurality of patient locations and the master station location;
a telephone; and
a second PBX connected between the telephone and the first PBX for providing a data and voice communications link between the telephone and the master station location and the plurality of patient locations.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A patient/nurse call system for a hospital includes patient stations capable of generating hospital calls and a remote master station which prioritizes and stores the calls. Hall units outside patient rooms identify the rooms from which the calls originate and the type of call. Each patient station allows selective retrieval and display of unanswered calls, and the system further permits audio interconnection between any two of the stations. Nurse-worn badges transmit pulse-coded infrared signals which are received by receivers at the patient stations and in response, the systems generates identity and location signals which are stored at the master station. The nurse location and identity information may also be retrieved and displayed at any patient station. Receipt of a nurse'"'"'s infrared signal at a room station automatically cancels a patient call originating from the room and display thereof by the respective hall unit, while actuating a display to indicate nurse presence. By using the nurse call button, the patient can establish telephonic communications between the patient station and a wireless telephone being carried by a remotely located nurse.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A patient/nurse call system comprising:
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a plurality of transmitters adapted to be carried by hospital personnel, each transmitter periodically transmitting an identification signal unique to that transmitter; a plurality of patient locations, each of the plurality of patient locations being associated with a patient and including a microprocessor, a receiver for receiving the identification signals from the plurality of transmitters, and a microphone and speaker for audio communications; a master station location remote from the patient locations, the master station location having a microprocessor, and a microphone and speaker for audio communications; a first PBX operatively connected between the microprocessor at the master station location and each of the microprocessors at the plurality of patient locations for providing all data communications between any of the plurality of patient locations and the master station location and further providing all audio communications between the plurality of patient locations and the master station location; a telephone; and a second PBX connected between the telephone and the first PBX for providing a data and voice communications link between the telephone and the master station location and the plurality of patient locations. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A method of providing voice communications between a staff person and a patient in a hospital comprising the steps of:
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providing an identification number unique to a patient in response to the staff person using a telephone; automatically transmitting the identification number to a hospital PBX; automatically passing the identification number through the hospital PBX to a second PBX; automatically passing the identification number from the second PBX to a master station associated with a location of the patient; automatically opening a voice communications channel between the staff person and the patient through the hospital PBX, the second PBX and a speaker and microphone at the patient location without any physical action being required by the patient. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7)
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8. A method of providing voice communications between a staff person and a patient in a hospital comprising the steps of:
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actuating a pushbutton to initiate a PATIENT call from the patient; automatically identifying in response to the PATIENT call, a staff person associated with the patient; automatically initiating a telephone call to a telephone associated with the first staff person in response to the PATIENT call; detecting the telephone being answered; and opening a voice communication channel between the telephone of the staff person and a speaker and microphone located near the patient. - View Dependent Claims (9)
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10. A method of providing voice and data communications between a staff person and a patient in a hospital comprising the steps of:
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(a) actuating a nontelephonic unit to initiate a call from the patient to a first staff person associated with the patient; (b) detecting the call with a first microprocessor located with the patient; (c) passing the call from the first microprocessor to a first PBX; (d) passing the call from the first PBX to a second microprocessor at a master station associated with the patient; (e) identifying in response to the call, a first staff person associated with the patient; (f) initiating a telephone call from the second microprocessor at the master station through the first PBX and through a hospital PBX to a telephone associated with the first staff person; (g) detecting the telephone being answered; (h) transmitting a message from the second microprocessor at the master station, through the first PBX and through a hospital PBX to the telephone, the message identifying the patient and characteristics associated with the call; (i) transmitting a reply initiated by the first staff person using the telephone, through the hospital PBX and the first PBX and back to the second microprocessor at the master station; and (j) initiating a subsequent action by second microprocessor at the master station in response to the reply. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification