Patient support with dynamic bar code generator

1. A patient support system comprising

a reconfigurable patient support apparatus, and

a control system including a controller, a user input coupled to the controller, and a display coupled to the controller, the controller configured

(i) to receive a request for information output,

(ii) to determine whether patient information has been received by the control system,

(iii) to display a patient information entry screen on the display if the patient information has not been received by the control system,

(iv) to receive the patient information or receive a signal indicating that the requested patient information will not be input,

(v) to aggregate information corresponding to the patient support apparatus and the patient information,

(vi) to generate a bar code including information corresponding to

(a) the configuration of the patient support apparatus,

(b) the location of the patient support apparatus in a care facility, and

(c) the aggregated information and

(vii) to display the bar code on the display.

2. The patient support system of claim 1 , wherein the patient support apparatus includes a lower frame, an upper frame, and a lift system coupled between the lower frame and the upper frame, the lift system is configured to move the upper frame relative to the lower frame, and the bar code includes information corresponding to the position of the upper frame relative to the lower frame.

3. The patient support system of claim 2 , wherein the patient support apparatus includes a deck including a seat deck section coupled to the upper frame and a head deck section movable from a first position to a second position relative to the seat deck section, and the bar code includes information corresponding to the position of the head deck section relative to the seat deck section.

4. The patient support system of claim 3 , wherein the patient support apparatus includes a siderail and movable from a raised position to a lowered position, and the bar code includes information corresponding to the position of the siderail.

5. The patient support system of claim 4 , wherein the patient support apparatus includes a headrail coupled to the head deck section and movable from a raised position to a lowered position relative to the head deck section, and the bar code includes information corresponding to the position of the headrail relative to the head deck section.

6. The patient support system of claim 1 , wherein the patient support apparatus includes a footboard movable between a first position coupled to the deck and a second position spaced apart from the deck, and the bar code includes information corresponding to the position of the footboard relative to the deck.

7. The patient support system of claim 1 , wherein the patient support apparatus includes a plurality of wheels and a brake system movable from a braked position resisting movement of at least one wheel to an unbraked position allowing movement of at least one wheel, and the bar code includes information corresponding to the position of the brake system.

8. The patient support system of claim 1 , wherein the patient support apparatus includes at least one sensor configured to detect patient data corresponding to a patient supported on the patient support apparatus, and the bar code includes information corresponding to the patient data.

9. The patient support system of claim 7 , wherein the at least one sensor includes a scale coupled to the controller and configured to detect patient weight of a patient on the patient support apparatus, and the bar code includes information corresponding to the patient weight.

10. The patient support system of claim 1 , wherein the bar code is one of a linear barcode, a matrix barcode, and a quick response code.

11. The patient support system of claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to receive information corresponding to the location of the patient support apparatus in the care facility from the user input.

12. A patient support system comprising

a patient support apparatus, and

a control system including a controller, a user input coupled to the controller, and a display coupled to the controller,

wherein the controller is configured to perform a program in which the control system:

(i) receives a request for information output,

(ii) determines whether patient information has been received by the control system,

(iii) displays a patient information entry screen on the display if the patient information has not been received by the control system,

(iv) receives and confirms the patient information or receives a signal indicating that the requested patient information will not be input,

(v) aggregates information corresponding to the patient support apparatus and the patient information,

(vi) generates a bar code including the aggregated information, and

(vii) displays the bar code on the display.

13. The patient support system of claim 12 , wherein the bar code is a matrix barcode.

14. The patient support system of claim 12 , wherein the bar code is a quick response code.

15. The patient support system of claim 14 , wherein the information from the user input corresponds to a patient supported on the patient support apparatus.

16. The patient support system of claim 15 , wherein the information from the user input includes at least one of patient pain level, patient respiratory rate, patient heart rate, patient current medications, and patient blood pressure.

17. The patient support system of claim 12 , wherein the control system is configured to skip instructions (iii) and (iv) if the patient information has been previously received by the control system in instruction (ii).

18. The patient support system of claim 17 , wherein the control system is configured to receive patient information from the user input.

19. The patient support system of claim 17 , wherein the control system is configured to receive patient information from a static data graphic associated with the patient.