Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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DISPLAY FOR USE IN MANAGING A PATIENT
This invention relates to a display apparatus for use in managing a
patient which may be particularly arranged for indicating to a care giver when
a
patient in a wheelchair should be moved.
Patients in wheelchairs are susceptible to pressure sores and should
be moved periodically to alleviaLa the sores.
At these times of careful management of health care costs, it is
desirable to provide to a caregiver team a simple display which clearly sets
out the
required actions and the time those actions required in respect of each
patient and
allows a clear visual indication when the caregiver has failed to attend.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a display
apparatus for use by a caregiver team in managing a patient comprising:
a substrate panel having front and rear surfaces arranged to be
mounted on a support for visual presentation to the care giver;
a clock face on the front surface of the substrate with at least one
manually movable time indicator hand on the clock face so that the care giver
can
set the hand or hands to display a selected time;
a first manually operable visual display component on the front surface
operable to set and display to the caregiver a selected time period;
a second visual display component arranged to display a plurality of
tasks to be carried out on the patient;
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the second visual display component being arranged for the caregiver
to select a selected one of the plurality of tasks displayed and manually
operable by
the caregiver to display the selected one of the tasks to the caregiver;
whereby the caregiver is required by the display of the selected time to
attend the patient at the selected time, to carry out the selected one of the
tasks and
to reset the selected time by an increment determined by the selected time
period;
and whereby an immediate visual indication is provided by the selected
time displayed if and when the caregiver has failed to attend the patient at
the
selected time displayed to carry out the selected one of the tasks.
Preferably the system is maintained very simple with minimum
opportunity for error and to allow the caregiver to easily asses what is
required. This
can be done by providing to each patient an individual display attached to the
wheelchair in which they sit where the time period for re-visiting is pre-set
and
remains unchanged and where the action to be taken is tailored to their
physical
condition and again remains unchanged. Even the least motivated care giver can
easily therefore manage a number of patients while carrying out for each the
stipulated repeated checks and actions at the time periods specified.
Preferably the first visual display component showing the time period is
on the first surface of the substrate panel so as to be readily visible with
the display
clock showing the time.
In one arrangement the second visual display component can be on
the front surface of the substrate panel optionally provided by a drop down
panel on
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which is printed the actions which can be taken. In this arrangement the
selected
action is marked simply by hand marking the panel.
In addition or alternatively the second visual display component can be
provided on the rear surface of the substrate panel where the plurality of
tasks of the
second visual display component are printed on the substrate panel and the
selection is displayed by providing a marker at the selected printed task.
Preferably the marker is provided by moving a marker sheet on a
circular disk relative to the substrate panel to move a mark on the marker
sheet to a
window to indicate or point to the selected task printed on the substrate
panel. The
task is preferably displayed by an icon or symbol illustrating the action
concerned.
In addition preferably the marker sheet carries a plurality of printed
readable instruction elements where each element relates to a respective one
of the
printed tasks and provides more detail beyond that shown in the icon. Thus
preferably the substrate panel includes an instruction window at which a
selected
one of the printed readable instruction elements is displayed and the mark on
the
marker sheet is moved to the selected task when the respective printed
readable
instruction elements is located at the instruction window. This provides to
the
knowledgeable caregiver and immediate indication of the action to be taken and
gives more information to less knowledgeable caregivers who need more detail.
For simplicity, the first manually operable visual display component on
the front surface preferably comprises a window on the front surface and a
plurality
of set times printed on a time sheet which is movable relative to the
substrate panel
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to locate a selected one of the selected time periods at the window.
To further assist the caregiver with additional actions that may be
required, there is preferably printed on the rear surface of the substrate
panel an
additional area containing a series of printed instructions with a selection
check box
to be selected by the caregiver.
Preferably the tasks on the second visual display component relate to
actions for the patient in a wheelchair to carry out periodically at the
selected period
to alleviate pressure from sitting in the wheelchair. For
example the actions can
comprise:
Leaning forward for a time period;
Leaning to each side for a time period;
Standing for a time period;
Walking for a time period;
Tilting the chair for a time period.
However other tasks can be provided as well as or instead of the
above particularly where the display apparatus is to be used in a situation
other than
the wheelchair bound patient.
According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a
display apparatus for use by a caregiver team in managing a patient
comprising:
a substrate panel having front and rear surfaces arranged to be
mounted on a support for visual presentation to the care giver;
a visual display component arranged to display a plurality of tasks to
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be carried out on the patient;
the visual display component being arranged for the caregiver to select
a selected one of the plurality of tasks displayed and manually operable by
the
caregiver to display the selected one of the tasks to the caregiver;
5 wherein the plurality of tasks of the visual display component are
printed on the substrate panel and the selection is displayed by providing a
marker
at the selected printed task;
wherein the marker is provided by moving a marker sheet relative to
the substrate panel to move a mark on the marker sheet to indicate the
selected task
printed on the substrate panel;
wherein the marker sheet carries a plurality of printed readable
instruction elements where each element relates to a respective one of the
printed
tasks;
and wherein the substrate panel includes an instruction window at
which a selected one of the printed readable instruction elements is displayed
and
wherein the mark on the marker sheet is moved to the selected task when the
respective printed readable instruction elements is located at the instruction
window.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
One embodiment of the invention will now be described in conjunction
with the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a front elevational view of a display apparatus according to
the present invention.
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Figure 2 is a front elevational view of the display apparatus of Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a front elevational view of a the front face of the rotatable
marker sheet showing the marker which appears in the respective window of the
rear surface of Figure 2 and showing the instructions associated with the
icons.
Figure 4 is a front elevational view of the dropdown panel of Figure 1.
Figure 5 is a schematic illustration of the apparatus of Figure 1
attached to a rear of a wheelchair so that the apparatus remains with the
wheelchair
to be associated with the patient in the wheelchair regardless of where they
move.
In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding
parts in the different figures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The display apparatus shown in the Figures is arranged for use by a
caregiver team in managing a patient. Thus each member of a team responsible
for
a group of patients, including a supervisor, can review the display of each of
the
group to immediately ascertain the status of the periodic care required to be
applied
to the patients for the purpose of keeping the periodic care up to date and
for the
purpose of assessing quickly and easily if the required care is not being
maintained.
The apparatus 10 includes a substrate panel 11 having front and rear
surfaces 12, 13 and arranged to be mounted on a support such as the rear of a
wheelchair 14 as shown in Figure 5 for visual presentation to the care giver.
The
panel is formed of two overlying sheets connected by pins at the center and at
the
hole 17.
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The planar panel is generally circular with a circular peripheral edge 15
which is extended outwardly to form a lobe 16 at the top with a hole 17 by
which the
planar panel can be suspended on the wheel chair or at another location.
The circular front surface defines a clock face 18 with numbers 18A
and manually movable time indicator hands 19 and 20 on the clock face 18 so
that
the care giver can set the hands by simply moving them around a center to
display a
selected time. There is no drive to the clock hands so that they remain
stationary
when manually set.
The front surface includes a window 21 which provides a visual display
component on the front surface which is operable to set and display to the
caregiver
a selected time period indicated at 24. This is operated by marking the
available
time periods on a wheel 23 which can be rotated around a pin 25 to display a
selected one of the time periods in the window. The intention is that when set
for
this patient and the patient's medical condition, the period remains set and
this
period is used for all future scheduled visits. The time period can be set to
take into
account the medical condition of the patient and also the availability of
staff to carry
out the visits. The time period can be re-set if the situation changes, for
example if
the time period cannot be met due to lower staff levels at certain times. The
front
face carries the statement 'WILL RETURN" in respect of the indicated time so
that
the patient is so aware of the time that the next visit is scheduled.
While shown conveniently at the bottom of the front face adjacent the
clock number 6, the display window 21 on the front of the clock can be
positioned at
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another location on the front side of the clock so that it is spaced from the
significant
clock numbers to avoid a situation where the long hand of the clock covers the
window from view.
On the rear face 13 is provided a second visual display component 26
arranged to display a plurality of tasks or actions which can be carried out
on the
patient depending on the patients medical condition.
The actions 26A to 26F of the second visual display component are
printed on the substrate panel so as to remain fixed in position on the rear
surface
13 and the selection is displayed by providing a marker 27 at the selected
printed
task. As shown the marker is indicating task 26F
The marker 27 is provided by a marker sheet 28 shown in Figure 3 and
mounted behind the rear surface, that is between the front sheet and the rear
sheet
so that a surface of the marker sheet is presented at windows in the rear
surface 13.
The marker sheet is movable relative to the rear sheet by rotation around the
center
pin 31. This moves the marker sheet 28 relative to the substrate panel 11 to
move
a mark 27A on the marker sheet 28 through different ones of a plurality of
windows
29 on the rear surface 13 to indicate the selected task from the plurality of
tasks
printed on the substrate panel.
The marker sheet 28 also carries a plurality of printed readable
instruction elements 32A to 32E where each element relates to a respective one
of
the printed tasks shown as icons at 26A to 26E. The rear surface of the
substrate
panel includes an instruction window 33 at which a selected one of the printed
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readable instruction elements 32A to 32E is displayed. The mark 27A on the
marker
sheet 28 is moved to the selected task, printed as an icon on the rear
surface, when
the respective printed readable instruction elements is located at the
instruction
window 33.
Thus the second visual display component, as defined by the icons
26A to 26E, the marker 27 and the instructions 32A to 32F, is arranged for the
caregiver to select one of the plurality of tasks displayed and is manually
operable
by the caregiver to display the selected task to the caregiver. The intention
is that
when set for this patient and the patient's medical condition, the action
remains set
and this action is used for all future scheduled visits.
Briefly as shown the actions comprise:
Leaning forward for a time period;
Leaning to each side for a time period;
Standing for a time period;
Walking for a time period;
Tilting the chair for a time period.
The icons are intended to briefly show the action required to a
knowledgeable caregiver. Further details are shown in the instructions on the
marker sheet which read as follows:
32A
Feet are stable on footplates/floor. The client pushes with feet & arms
to lift bottom off of chair seat. Hold 1-2 minutes or as tolerated.
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32B
The client stands for a minimum of 1-2 minutes. Provide assistance
according to the clients plan of care.
32C
5 The
client walks for a minimum of 1-2 minutes. Provide assistance
according to the client's plan of care.
32D
Tilt the chair back to a t least 30 degrees. Return to upright position
after a minimum of 3 minutes.
10 32E
Feet are stable on footplates/floor. The client leans forward, elbows
resting on knees for 1-2 minutes. Provide assistance according to the client's
plan
of care.
32F
Client leans at least 20 degrees to side of chair for 1-2 minutes per
side. Crossing one leg over the other may assist with this. Provide assist
according
to the client's plan of care.
Thus the apparatus is arranged and operated in a method in which the
caregiver is required by the display of the selected time to attend the
patient at the
selected time, to carry out the selected one of the actions marked and to
reset the
selected time by an increment determined by the selected time period.
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It will be apparent that an immediate visual indication is provided by
the fact that the selected time displayed is past if and when the caregiver
has failed
to attend the patient at the stated time displayed to carry out the stated one
of the
actions. If this situation is found, it can be immediately remedied. If it is
found by a
supervisor, suitable management action can be taken.
In Figure 1 there is provided a second section to the second visual
display component which includes a drop down panel mounted on a pin 36 for
movement on the substrate panel so that it can be moved to a raised retracted
position and pivoted downwardly to show icons 37. Thus in this arrangement the
second visual display component is on the front surface of the substrate
panel. The
icons 37A, 37B and 37C are shown in Figure 4 and relate respectively to an
instruction or task to the caregiver to check a toileting requirement, to
check a
possibility of a fall and to check an incontinence possibility. These tasks
are marked
for action in respect of the patient concerned not by a marker system as
described
above but instead by simply the relevant person marking those of the tasks to
be
performed by a visual mark.
As shown in Figure 2, there is printed on the rear surface 13 of the
substrate panel 11 an additional area 38 containing a series of printed
instructions
38A with a selection check box 39 to be selected by the caregiver. Possible
instructions are as follows:
Additional instructions:
To bed after all meals
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To bed after breakfast
To bed after lunch
At time of repositioning:
Perform toilet routine
Check for incontinence
Perform fall safety check
Restraint safety check
