Apparatus for supporting and monitoring a person

Abstract

A system includes a person-support structure, a sensor configured to sense a characteristic of a person supported on the person-support structure, and a control configured to calculate a condition score as a function of the characteristic of the person. The control is operable to change a characteristic of the person-support structure as a function of the condition score.

1 . A method comprising
 sensing a characteristic of a person supported on a person-support apparatus,   calculating a condition score as a function of the characteristic, and   configuring a support system and/or a communication system as a function of the condition score.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the support system includes the person-support apparatus. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the support system includes a person-support surface. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the condition score includes a fall risk assessment score or a pressure ulcer risk assessment score. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the support system includes a fluid supply and the configuring comprises causing the fluid supply to initiate a therapy. 
     
     
         6 . A system comprising:
 a person-support structure,   a sensor configured to sense a characteristic of a person supported on the person-support structure, and   a control configured to calculate a condition score as a function of the characteristic of the person, the control being operable to change a characteristic of the person-support structure as a function of the condition score.   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the person-support structure includes a bed frame with a movement mechanism, the control controlling the movement mechanism as a function of the condition score to change a characteristic of the bed frame. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the frame includes an upper frame portion with a deck movably coupled thereto having a head section, the control causing the head section to rotate between a relatively horizontal position and an inclined position. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 6 , further comprising a fluid supply, the person-support structure including a fluid chamber configured to receive fluid from the fluid supply, and the control controlling the fluid supply as a function of the condition score. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the control causes the fluid supply to initiate a therapy. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the fluid chamber comprises at least one of a temperature and humidity topper, a mattress, and a gas bladder. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 6 , further comprising a communication device configured to receive an input signal corresponding to information in an electronic medical record, the control calculating the condition score as a function of the characteristic of the person and the input signal. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the input signal includes a fall risk assessment score or a pressure ulcer risk assessment score. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the control calculates the condition score as a function of the status of the person-support structure and the characteristic of the person. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the control calculates the condition score as a function of the status of the person-support structure, an input signal corresponding to information in an electronic medical record, and the characteristic of the person.