Architectural system adaptable to patient acuity level

• US 20030014817A1
• Filed: 05/23/2002
• Published: 01/23/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/25/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Wittrock Enterprise, LLC
• Original Assignee: Hill-Rom Services Incorporated (Baxter International Inc.)
• Inventors: Lanci, Dennis M., Gallant, Dennis J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,040,057 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 5/600
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 10/00 Treatment rooms or enclosures for medical purposes baby incubators, couveuses A61G11/00; devices for gas baths with ozone, hydrogen or the like A61H33/14 ; for isolating individuals from external stimuli A61M21/0094 ; containers or portable cabins for affording breathing protection in general A62B31/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 12/001 Trolleys for transport of medicaments, food, linen, nursing supplies carts specially adapted for surgery or diagnosis A61B50/13; hand carts B62B3/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 12/002 Supply appliances, e.g. columns for gas, fluid, electricity supply vertical ducts or channels for receiving utility lines E04F17/08; installations of electric cables or lines, wall trunking H02G3/0431; structural combinations of lighting devices with other articles F21V33/0068; stands or trestles as supports for apparatus or articles F16M11/00; buildings for public purposes E04H3/08
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 12/004 mounted on the ceiling
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 12/005 mounted on the wall
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 12/008 mounted on a mobile base, e.g. on a trolley
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 13/107 Supply appliances supply appliances for dental machines A61C1/0007
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 13/108 Means providing sterile air at a surgical operation table or area treatment rooms A61G10/00; instruments or implements for sterile operation A61B90/00; sterilisation of air A61L9/00; purification of air in air-conditioning systems F24F3/16, F24F8/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2203/44 for weight
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2203/46 for temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2203/80 for connecting a trolley to a device, e.g. bed or column table
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2205/00 General identification or selection means
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/00 Beds specially adapted for nursing; Devices for lifting patients or disabled persons stretchers with facilities for picking up patients or disabled persons A61G1/003
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/0005 Means for bathing bedridden persons
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/0015 having means for attaching a cabinet in order to transport bed and cabinet together
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/015 divided into different adjustable sections, e.g. for Gatch position
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/018 Control or drive mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/02 with toilet conveniences, or specially adapted for use with toilets
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/0503 Holders, support devices for receptacles, e.g. for drainage or urine bags hanging-up devices for infusion A61M5/1414
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/0507 Side-rails
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/0509 : sliding or pivoting downwards
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/0513 : covering particular sections of the bed, e.g. one or more partial side-rail sections along the bed
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/0514 : mounted to individual mattress supporting frame sections
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/0524 : characterised by integrated accessories, e.g. bed control means, nurse call or reading lights
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/053 : Aids for getting into, or out of, bed, e.g. steps, chairs, cane-like supports
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 9/02 : Cleaning devices washing and rinsing machines for crockery and tableware A47L15/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/61 : Two- or three-bottle systems for underwater drainage, e.g. for chest cavity drainage
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/00 : Devices for influencing the respiratory system of patients by gas treatment, e.g. mouth-to-mouth respiration; Tracheal tubes stimulating the respiratory movement by mechanical, pneumatic or electrical means, iron lungs combined with gas breathing means A61H31/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/107 : in the inspiratory path
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2209/082 : Mounting brackets, arm supports for equipment
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2209/084 : Supporting bases, stands for equipment
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1415 : Stands, brackets or the like for supporting infusion accessories
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2/745 : Glazing details
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2002/7483 : Details of furniture, e.g. tables or shelves, associated with the partitions
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2002/7488 : Details of wiring
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/60 : for patient-specific data, e.g. for electronic patient records
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/40 : relating to mechanical, radiation or invasive therapies, e.g. surgery, laser therapy, dialysis or acupuncture
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/20 : for the management or administration of healthcare resources or facilities, e.g. managing hospital staff or surgery rooms
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 : for local operation
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/005 : Electrical coupling combined with fluidic coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6315 : allowing relative movement between coupling parts, e.g. floating connection for coupling devices specially adapted for printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures, H01R12/91 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/12 : for medicine and surgery

Abstract

An architectural system adaptable to patient acuity level has a headwall unit with a cavity, a ceiling unit, and a column coupled to the ceiling unit. The column is movable between a first position in which at least a majority of the column is situated in the cavity and a second position in which the column is situated outside the cavity. Various types of patient-care equipment is also disclosed. The patient-care equipment is included in, or is coupleable to, one or more of the ceiling unit, the headwall unit, or the column.

Claims

1. An architectural system adaptable to an acuity level of a patient supported by a hospital bed in a patient room having a wall and a ceiling, the architectural system comprising

a wall unit coupled to the wall and having a cavity,

a ceiling unit coupled to the ceiling, and

a column coupled to the ceiling unit for movement between a first position in which at least a majority of the column is situated in the cavity and a second position in which the column is situated outside the cavity.

2. The architectural system of claim 1, wherein the column includes a vertical member and a patient care device coupled to the vertical member.

3. The architectural system of claim 2, wherein the patient care device comprises an IV rack that is situated in the cavity when the Column is in the first position.

4. The architectural system of claim 2, wherein the patient care device comprises a housing having a plurality of medical service outlets and the housing is situated in the cavity when the column is in the first position.

5. The architectural system of claim 4, wherein at least one of the medical service outlets is a medical gas outlet.

6. The architectural system of claim 4, wherein at least one of the medical service outlets is an electrical outlet.

7. The architectural system of claim 4, wherein the wall unit has a door that is movable between a closed position blocking access to the plurality of medical service outlets when the Column is in the first position and an opened position allowing access to the medical service outlets when the column is in the first position.

8. The architectural system of claim 2, wherein the patient care device comprises a display screen that is situated in the cavity when the column is in the first position.

9. The architectural system of claim 8, wherein the wall unit has a door that is movable between a closed position covering the display screen to shield the display screen from view when the column is in the first position and an opened position uncovering the display screen to permit the display screen to be viewed when the Column is in the first position.

10. The architectural system of claim 2, wherein the patient care device is pivotable about an axis relative to the vertical member when the column is in the second position.

11. The architectural system of claim 10, wherein the axis is vertical and extends through the vertical member.

12. The architectural system of claim 1, wherein the ceiling unit comprises a track member and the column comprises a carriage that moves along the track member as the column moves between the first and second positions.

13. The architectural system of claim 12, wherein a portion of the track member overlies the cavity.

14. The architectural system of claim 12, wherein the track member comprises elongated first and second roller-engaging surfaces, the first roller-engaging surface is parallel to the second roller-engaging surface, the carriage comprises a housing and a plurality of roller coupled to the housing, at least one of the plurality of rollers engages the first roller-engaging surface, and a least another of the plurality of roller engages the second roller-engaging surface.

15. The architectural system of claim 1, wherein the ceiling unit comprises a housing and a light coupled to the housing.

16. The architectural system of claim 1, wherein the ceiling unit comprises a housing and a display screen coupled to the housing.

17. The architectural system of claim 1, wherein the ceiling unit comprises a housing having a plurality of openings and the ceiling unit comprises an air curtain generator that operates to expel air downwardly from the plurality of openings to create at least one air Curtain.

18. The architectural system of claim 17, wherein the housing has an air-intake opening, the ceiling unit comprises an air-permeable filter covering the air-intake opening, and operation of the air curtain generator draws air from the patient room through the filter.

19. The architectural system of claim 1, wherein the column comprises a medical service outlet and further comprising a medical service delivery line that is routed from the medical service outlet, through the column, and through tile ceiling unit.

20. The architectural system of claim 1, further comprising a privacy curtain hanging downwardly from the ceiling unit, the wall unit having a compartment, and the privacy curtain being movable between a storage position in which a majority of the privacy curtains is situated in the compartment and a use position in which a majority of the privacy curtain is situated outside the compartment.

21. The architectural system of claim 1, further comprising a privacy curtain coupled to the ceiling unit and movable between a use position hanging downwardly from the ceiling unit and a storage position retracted into the ceiling unit.

22. An architectural system adaptable to an acuity level of a patient supported by a hospital bed in a patient room having a wall and a ceiling, the architectural system comprising

a wall unit coupled to the wall, the wall unit having a first cavity and a second cavity,

a first track member coupled to the ceiling,

a second track member coupled to the ceiling,

a first column coupled to the first track member for movement between a first position in which at least a majority of the first column is situated in the first cavity and a second position in which the first column is situated outside the cavity alongside a first side of the hospital bed, and

a second column coupled to the second track member for movement between a first position in which at least a majority of the second column is situated in the second cavity and a second position in which the second column is situated outside the cavity alongside a second side of the hospital bed.

23. The architectural system of claim 22, wherein the wall unit has a first door that is movable between a closed position blocking access to at least a portion of the first column when the first column is in the first position and an opened position permitting access to the portion of the first column.

24. The architectural system of claim 22, wherein the first track member is elongated, the second track member is elongated, and the first track member is parallel with the second track member.

25. The architectural system of claim 22, wherein the first track member comprises elongated first and second roller-engaging surfaces, the first roller-engaging surface is parallel to the second roller-engaging surface, the column comprises a carriage having a housing and a plurality of rollers coupled to the housing, at least one of the plurality of rollers engages the first roller-engaging surface, and a least another of the plurality of roller engages the second roller-engaging surface.

26. The architectural system of claim 22, further comprising a canopy situated at least in part between the first and second track members and a light coupled to the canopy.

27. The architectural system of claim 22, further comprising a canopy situated at least in part between the first and second track members and a display screen coupled to the canopy.

28. The architectural system of claim 22, further comprising a canopy situated at least in part between the first and second track members and air curtain generation equipment coupled to the canopy.

30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the environmental control equipment comprises a temperature sensor.

31. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the environmental control equipment comprises an air quality sensor.

32. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the environmental control equipment comprises an air purifier.

33. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the environmental control equipment comprises aroma therapy equipment.

34. The apparatus of claim 29, further comprising a motion sensor coupled to the canopy.

35. The apparatus of claim 29, further comprising a proximity sensor coupled to the canopy.

36. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the environmental control equipment comprises at least one examination light.

37. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the environmental control equipment comprises at least one reading light.

38. The apparatus of claim 29, further comprising a video screen coupled to the canopy.

40. The mobile cart of claim 39, further comprising at least one IV pole coupled to the upstanding pedestal.

41. The mobile cart of claim 39, wherein the upstanding pedestal has a top wall and further comprising a handle coupled to the top wall, the handle being grippable to maneuver the mobile cart.

42. The mobile cart of claim 39, wherein each wheel of the plurality of wheels is able to swivel about a respective vertical axis.

43. The mobile cart of claim 39, wherein each leg of the plurality of legs is able to swivel about a respective vertical axis.

44. The mobile cart of claim 39, wherein the upstanding pedestal has a compartment adapted to carry at least one of the plurality of patient-care modules.

45. The mobile cart of claim 39, wherein at least one of the plurality of patient-care modules is an infusion pump.

46. The mobile cart of claim 39, wherein at least one of the plurality of patient-care modules is a ventilator control unit.

47. The mobile cart of claim 39, wherein at least one of the plurality of patient-care modules is a gas control units.

48. The mobile cart of claim 39, wherein at least one of the plurality of patient-care modules is a vital signs monitor.

49. The mobile cart of claim 39, wherein at least one of the plurality of patient-care modules is configured to monitor a physiological condition of the patient.

50. The mobile cart of claim 39, further comprising an on-board computer system that interfaces with at least one of the plurality of-patient-care modules.

51. The mobile cart of claim 50, further comprising a receiver and a transmitter and the on-board computer system interfaces with the receiver and the transmitter.

52. The mobile cart of claim 50, wherein the on-board computer system is configured to transmit wirelessly patient data from at least one of the plurality of patient-care modules.

53. The mobile cart of claim 50, wherein the on-board computer system is configured to store patient data from at least one of the plurality of patient-care modules until a hard-wire connection is made between the on-board computer system and an external computer network.

54. The mobile cart of claim 50, wherein the on-board computer system is configured to store patient data from at least one of the plurality of patient-care modules until an optical connection is made between the on-board computer system and an external computer network.

55. The mobile cart of claim 50, further comprising a battery configured to provide power to the on-board computer system and to at least one of the plurality of patient-care modules.

56. The mobile cart of claim 39, wherein at least one of the plurality of patient-care modules comprises a medical gas tank housed in the upstanding pedestal and further comprising a service delivery port that is coupled to the upstanding pedestal and through which medical gas from the medical gas tank is accessible.

58. The set of equipment of claim 57, wherein the mobile cart comprises a pedestal and at least one IV pole coupled to the pedestal.

59. The set of equipment of claim 57, wherein the mobile cart comprises a pedestal having a top wall, the mobile cart has a handle coupled to the top wall, and the handle is grippable to maneuver the mobile cart.

60. The set of equipment of claim 57, wherein the mobile cart comprises a pedestal and a patient-care module coupled to the pedestal.

61. The set of equipment of claim 60, wherein the pedestal has a compartment adapted to carry the patient-care module.

62. The set of equipment of claim 60, wherein the patient-care module is an infusion pump.

63. The set of equipment of claim 60, wherein the patient-care module is a ventilator control unit.

64. The set of equipment of claim 60, wherein the patient-care module is a gas control unit.

65. The set of equipment of claim 60, wherein the patient-care module is a vital signs monitor.

66. The set of equipment of claim 60, wherein the patient-care module is configured to monitor a physiological condition of the patient.

67. The set of equipment of claim 60, wherein the mobile cart has an on-board computer system that interfaces with the patient-care module.

68. The set of equipment of claim 60, wherein the mobile cart has a receiver, the mobile cart has a transmitter, and the on-board computer system interfaces with the receiver and the transmitter.

69. The set of equipment of claim 60, wherein the on-board computer system is configured to transmit wirelessly patient data from the patient-care module.

70. The set of equipment of claim 60, wherein the on-board computer system is configured to store patient data from the patient-care module until a hard-wire connection is made between the on-board computer system and an external computer network.

71. The set of equipment of claim 60, wherein the on-board computer system is configured to store patient data from at least one of the plurality of patient-care modules until an optical connection is made to an external computer network.

72. The set of equipment of claim 60, wherein the mobile cart has a battery configured to provide power to the on-board computer system and to the patient-care module.

73. The set of equipment of claim 60, wherein the patient-care module comprises a medical gas tank housed in the pedestal, the mobile cart has a service delivery port coupled to the pedestal, and medical gas from the medical gas tank is accessible via the service delivery port.

74. The set of equipment of claim 57, wherein the arm assembly has a plurality of articulated arm segments.

75. The set of equipment of claim 57, wherein the arm assembly comprises a vertical column.

76. The set of equipment of claim 75, further comprising a track member along which the vertical column is movable.

29. An apparatus for use in a hospital room having a ceiling, the apparatus comprising

a canopy adapted to be coupled to the ceiling of the hospital room, and environmental control equipment coupled to the canopy.

39. A mobile cart for use in a hospital to provide care to a patient, the mobile cart comprising

an upstanding pedestal,

a plurality of legs coupled to a bottom of the upstanding pedestal,

a plurality of wheels, each wheel being coupled to a respective leg of the plurality of legs, the legs along with the wheels coupled thereto each being movable between a first position extending outwardly from beneath the upstanding pedestal and second position tucked beneath the upstanding pedestal, and

a plurality of patient-care modules coupled to the upstanding pedestal.

57. A set of equipment for use in a hospital room having a floor, the set of equipment comprising

a hospital bed supported by the floor,

an arm assembly hanging in the hospital room, and

a mobile cart that is selectively couplable to the hospital bed and to the arm assembly and that is selectively decouplable from the hospital bed and from the arm assembly, the mobile cart having wheels that are spaced apart from the floor when the mobile cart is coupled to the hospital bed and when the mobile cart is coupled to the arm assembly, the wheels engaging the floor when the mobile cart is decoupled from the hospital bed and decoupled from the arm assembly.

77. A set of hospital equipment comprising

a mobile cart carrying patient-care equipment and having a plurality of wheels, and

a headwall formed to include a cavity that receives the mobile cart, the headwall having a ledge surface, the plurality of wheels of the mobile cart engaging the ledge surface when the mobile cart is received in the cavity.

78. The set of hospital equipment of claim 77, wherein a portion of the headwall overlies the cavity.

79. The set of hospital equipment of claim 77, wherein the mobile cart has a pedestal and an IV pole coupled to the pedestal and wherein the cavity is sized to receive the pedestal and the IV pole.

80. The set of hospital equipment of claim 77, wherein the mobile cart has a pedestal and a plurality of legs coupled to the pedestal and wherein each wheel of the plurality of wheels is coupled to a respective leg of the plurality of legs.

81. The set of hospital equipment of claim 80, wherein the plurality of legs, along with the wheels coupled thereto, are each movable between a first position extending outwardly from beneath the pedestal and second position tucked beneath the pedestal.

82. The set of hospital equipment of claim 77, wherein the headwall has a panel and at least one medical service outlet that is coupled to the panel and through which a medical service is accessible.

83. An apparatus comprising

an arm assembly adapted to be suspended from a ceiling of a hospital room, and

an overbed table coupled to the arm assembly to be supported by the arm assembly above a floor of the hospital room.

84. The apparatus of claim 83, wherein the overbed table has a table surface that is substantially horizontal, the arm assembly is configured to permit repositioning of the overbed table in the hospital room, and the table surface remains at a substantially constant elevation above the floor as the overbed table is repositioned.

85. The apparatus of claim 83, further comprising a control panel coupled to the arm assembly and the control panel having a user input.

86. The apparatus of claim 85, wherein the user input is engageable to control a light in the hospital room.

87. The apparatus of claim 85, wherein the user input is engageable to control a temperature of the hospital room.

88. The apparatus of claim 85, wherein the user input is engageable to control at least one function of a television situated in the hospital room.

89. The apparatus of claim 85, wherein the user input is engageable to place a nurse call signal.

90. The apparatus of claim 85, wherein the control panel has a screen on which video images arc displayed.

91. The apparatus of claim 85, wherein the control panel has a screen on which images accessed via the internet are displayed.

92. The apparatus of claim 85, wherein the control panel has a screen on which a patient schedule is displayed.

93. The apparatus of claim 85, wherein the control panel has a screen on which education information is displayed.

94. The apparatus of claim 85, wherein the control panel has a screen on which patient billing information is displayed.

95. The apparatus of claim 85, wherein the control panel has a screen on which video conferencing images are displayed.

96. The apparatus of claim 85, wherein the control panel is situated above the overbed table.

97. The apparatus of claim 85, wherein the control panel comprises a touch screen and the user input comprises an area on the touch screen.

98. The apparatus of claim 83, further comprising a telephone, the overbed table having a recess, and the telephone having a handset that resides in the recess.

99. The apparatus of claim 83, further comprising a housing coupled to the overbed table, a medical service outlet coupled to the table, and a service-delivery line routed from the medical service outlet, through the housing, and through the arm assembly.

100. The apparatus of claim 99, wherein the housing extends downwardly from the overbed table and terminates at a bottom end that is spaced apart from the floor.

101. The apparatus of claim 83, further comprising a housing coupled to the overbed table and a patient-monitor module coupled to the housing, the patient-monitor module being configured to receive a patient-data signal indicative of a physiological condition of a patient.

102. An apparatus comprising

a hub unit adapted to mount to a ceiling of a hospital room,

an arm assembly coupled to the hub unit,

an overbed table coupled to the arm assembly, and

a housing coupled to one of the arm assembly and the overbed table, the housing carrying one of a medical service outlet and a patient-monitor module.

103. The apparatus of claim 102, wherein the hub unit comprises an upper portion, a lower portion, and an annular slot defined between the upper and lower portions and wherein the arm assembly comprises a first arm segment that is rotatable relative to the first and second portions within the slot.

104. The apparatus of claim 103, wherein the first arm segment extends from the slot and terminates at a distal end and the arm assembly comprises a second arm segment extending downwardly from the distal end of the first arm segment.

105. The apparatus of claim 104, wherein the overbed table is coupled to a lower end portion of the second arm segment.

106. The apparatus of claim 104, wherein the second arm, the overbed table, and the housing rotate as a unit relative to the first arm segment.

107. The apparatus of claim 104, wherein the overbed table and the housing rotate as a unit relative to the second arm segment.

108. The apparatus of claim 103, wherein the hub unit further includes a plurality lights coupled to the lower portion and arranged to direct light downwardly from the lower portion.

109. A set of hospital equipment comprising

a headwall,

a blanket,

a unit housed in the headwall, and

a hose coupled to the blanket and coupled to the unit, a thermoregulation medium being moved between the blanket and the unit through the hose.

110. The set of hospital equipment of claim 109, wherein the thermoregulation medium comprises a cooled liquid.

111. The set of hospital equipment of claim 109, wherein the thermoregulation medium comprises cooled air.

112. The set of hospital equipment of claim 109, wherein the thermoregulation medium comprises a heated liquid.

113. The set of hospital equipment of claim 109, wherein the thermoregulation medium comprises heated air.

114. The set of hospital equipment of claim 109, wherein the blanket has internal passages through which the thermoregulation medium travels.

115. The set of hospital equipment of claim 114, wherein the blanket has a plurality of perforations through which a portion of the thermoregulation medium escapes from the internal passages of the blanket.

116. The set of hospital equipment of claim 109, wherein the thermoregulation medium is a heated medium when the patient is to be heated and the thermoregulation medium is a cooled medium when the patient is to be cooled.