 Operating equipment |
| What is claimed is: 1. An operating equipment comprising: an operating table, ceiling support means ... |
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| Keyboard support mechanism |
| The present convention is directed to an improved keyboard support mechanism in which a three-bar ... |
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| Docking station for a patient monitoring system |
| A docking station for a portable monitor is adapted for use in a system which includes a portable ... |
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| Automated pharmaceutical management and dispensing system |
| What is claimed is: 1. An apparatus for automatically dispensing medical elements to an individual ... |
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| Operatory computer with portable display |
| A general purpose Windows-Intel based computer is mounted between wall studs. The mounting has a ... |
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| Adjustable display monitor unit |
| The present disclosure provides for a multi-positional, adjustable, stowable display monitor unit ... |
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| Indicating device |
| OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The inhalation device shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 comprises a tubular housing 1... |
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| Intelligent inhaler providing feedback to both patient and medical professional |
| The overall process of the present intelligent inhaler system is shown in FIG. 6A which provides ... |
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| System for remote data collecting, method implemented in this system and data collector device |
| The aim of the invention is to overcome these drawbacks by proposing a system for remote data ... |
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Apparatus and method for upgrading a hospital room
| Details |
Inventors: Gallant, Dennis J.; Ruehl, John W.; Gray, John C.; Catton, Edward W.;
Assignee: Hill-Rom, Inc. (Batesville, IN)
Primary Examiner: Trettel; Michael F.
Assistant Examiner: Conley; Fredrick
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Barnes & Thornburg
An apparatus is provided to permit upgrading of a hospital room from a general care room to a critical care room and to facilitate transport of a critical care patient on a hospital bed. |
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION The present invention relates to an apparatus and method to facilitate upgrading of a standard, general care hospital room to a critical room.
More particularly, the present invention relates to an improved apparatus and method for providing seamless critical care services to a patient in a hospital room and during transport of the patient within the hospital.
Recent trends have caused cost reducing pressures on hospitals.
These cost pressures have driven traditional in-patient services to less expensive out-patient and home care settings.
Therefore, hospitals tend to have smaller in-patient populations.
Future in-patient populations are likely to be older and sicker patients with multiple complications.
The population of intermediate care patients is also likely to increase while the med-surg hospital population is decreasing over time.
Therefore, the in-patient hospital population has a higher level of acuity.
Hospitals will likely have fewer beds in the future.
Reconstruction of hospital rooms for critical care services is very expensive.
Typically, existing structures must be torn out and rebuilt with critical care capabilities.
It is known to provide a pivoting power column built within the room to provide life support services for critical care patients.
These pivoting power columns, however, are not transportable and must be built within the particular hospital room.
See, for example, U.
S.
Pat.
No.
5,398,359; U.
S.
Pat.
No.
5,377,371; U.
S.
Pat.
No.
5,284,255; U.
S.
Pat.
No.
5,186,337; and U.
S.
Pat.
No.
5,072,906.
Several problems face hospital administrators and planners.
Facilities within inflexible architectural systems restrict the ability of institutions to upgrade services quickly and inexpensively.
In addition, the process of transporting critical care patients creates adverse conditions and risks for staff and patients due to the inability to easily move and maintain power for the ventilator and/or IV pumps and transport monitor.
In order to adapt to changes for fewer but more acute patients, hospitals need the option for more responsive architectural systems and patient rooms that can be upgraded to critical care or downgraded to med-surg quickly and inexpensively
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Communications 
