Patient Movement Detection System and Method

Abstract

A monitoring system and method tracks a patient's position over time and ensures that proper turning or other manipulation is done within the time prescribed. Preferably, the techniques herein continuously monitor patient position and alert medical or other personnel of the need for turning or other patient manipulation. The system may be implemented within a medical or other care facility, or within a patient's home.

1 - 9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . A monitoring system for monitoring a patient's orientation for patients who have conditions that require changes of their body orientation with respect to a support surface comprising:
 a sensor having a unique ID, adapted to be physically wearable by a patient and outputting information representative of the patient's body orientation with respect to a support surface; and   a monitor configured to associate the unique sensor ID with the patient and in communication with the sensor to receive the sensor information, the monitor configured to store and to use the unique sensor ID and the body orientation information to determine whether the orientation of the patient with respect to the support surface should be changed.   
     
     
         11 . The monitoring system of  claim 10  wherein the association of the unique ID with the patient results from associating the unique ID with the bed to which the patient is assigned. 
     
     
         12 . The monitoring system of  claim 10  wherein the association of the unique ID with the patient results from associating the unique ID with at least the room to which the patient is assigned. 
     
     
         13 . A method for monitoring a patient's compliance with a patient turn protocol for patients who have conditions that require changes of their body orientation with respect to a support surface such as a bed, chair, or wheelchair, comprising the steps of,
 affixing to the patient a wearable sensor for outputting information representative of changes in the patient's body orientation with respect to a support surface, the wearable sensor having a unique ID,   associating, in a processor, the unique sensor ID with the patient, and   monitoring changes in orientation of the sensor linked to the patient by means of the unique sensor ID as a representation of changes in the patient's body orientation.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising the step of associating with the patient a patient turn protocol. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising the step of signaling a proposed repositioning order in response to the monitoring step. 
     
     
         16 . The monitoring system of  claim 13  wherein the association of the unique ID with the patient results from associating the unique ID with the bed to which the patient is assigned. 
     
     
         17 . The monitoring system of  claim 13  wherein the association of the unique ID with the patient results from associating the unique ID with at least the room to which the patient is assigned. 
     
     
         18 . The monitoring system of  claim 10  wherein the association of the unique ID with the patient results from associating the unique ID with a record number for the patient.