JP7834522B2 - Nurse call system, nurse call device, control method, program - Google Patents

Description

This invention relates to a nurse call system, a nurse call device, a control method, and a program.

Some industries, such as healthcare and nursing care, are required to provide services 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. In such industries, irregular work schedules (shift work) that stagger hours and days are often adopted in order to provide uninterrupted service.
On the other hand, in medical and nursing care settings, patients' conditions can change rapidly, and nurses and caregivers may not be able to work according to their pre-scheduled shifts due to illness or other reasons. In such environments, head nurses, for example, assign each nurse to specific duties for the day during morning meetings, based on the condition of the inpatients and the number and capabilities of the nurses available. This information about the assigned duties is shared via the display screen of the nurse call master unit.

Patent Document 1 discloses a nurse call system that obtains a call information table from an external device and transmits a call signal to a specific mobile terminal associated with a particular nurse.

Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-005011

In Patent Document 1, when there are changes to the information of the assigned nurse and their mobile device during each shift, the information in the call information table is updated by, for example, the head nurse, via a personal computer connected to an external device. However, it was cumbersome for the head nurse to manually update each piece of information each time it changed.

Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a nurse call system that can efficiently obtain the latest nurse information.

To achieve the above objective, the nurse call system of the present invention is
A nurse call handset is installed near the bed for the patient to call a nurse,
A nurse call master unit installed in the nurse station to notify and respond to calls from the aforementioned patients,
A portable device carried by the aforementioned nurse,
It comprises at least a control unit that controls the nurse call master unit,
The mobile terminal is configured to receive the nurse's input, thereby acquiring the nurse's login information, and to transmit the acquired login information and the mobile terminal's terminal identification information to the control unit.
The control unit is configured to display the nurse/terminal information on the display unit of the nurse call master unit.
According to the above configuration, nurse/device information, which is linked to nurse information and device identification information based on login information obtained from the mobile device, can be displayed on the nurse call master unit. Therefore, nurses can access the latest nurse/device information via the nurse call master unit without having to manually update the nurse/device information.

Furthermore, in the nurse call system of the present invention,
The control unit may be configured to generate nurse/bed information indicating the correspondence between the nurse and a predetermined patient based on the login information, and to display the nurse/bed information on at least one of the display unit of the nurse call master unit and an external device.
With the above configuration, the latest nurse information can be displayed along with nurse/bed information, making it easy to identify the current nurse in charge of a bed (patient).

Furthermore, in the nurse call system of the present invention,
The nurse call master unit includes an operation input unit capable of inputting operations for updating the nurse/bed information, and a call response unit capable of responding to calls from the nurse call slave unit associated with the patient.
When a call is received from the nurse call sub-unit, the call response unit may be configured to be operable with priority over receiving operation input from the operation input unit.
With the above configuration, if a patient calls while an operation to update nurse/bed information is in progress, responding to the call can be prioritized over updating the information, allowing for a quick response to patient calls.

Furthermore, in the nurse call system of the present invention,
The mobile terminal is configured to receive operation input from the nurse, acquire the nurse's logout information, and transmit the acquired logout information together with the terminal identification information to the control unit.
The control unit may be configured to call another mobile device other than the aforementioned mobile device, which is included in the nurse/device information, when a call is made from the nurse call sub-unit of a predetermined patient corresponding to the mobile device associated with the logout information.
With the above configuration, if a patient calls a nurse's mobile device while the nurse is logged out, the system is configured to call another mobile device other than the logged-out nurse's mobile device. This ensures that nurses who are logged in (on duty) can respond to patient calls reliably and quickly.

Furthermore, in the nurse call system of the present invention,
The mobile terminal is configured to receive operation input from the nurse, acquire the nurse's logout information, and transmit the acquired logout information together with the terminal identification information to the control unit.
The control unit may be configured to call all of the mobile terminals included in the nurse/terminal information when a call is received from the nurse call sub-unit of a predetermined patient corresponding to the mobile terminal associated with the logout information.
With the above configuration, if a patient calls a nurse whose mobile device is logged out, the system is configured to call all mobile devices included in the nurse/device information. This ensures that a nurse who is logged in and available to respond to a nurse call can respond to the patient's call reliably and quickly.

Furthermore, in the nurse call system of the present invention,
The mobile terminal may be configured to transmit to the control unit, in a single batch, the nurse/terminal information corresponding to its own terminal and the nurse/terminal information corresponding to other mobile terminals other than its own.
With the above configuration, nurse/device information from the own terminal and other mobile terminals can be transmitted collectively from the mobile terminal, making it easy to update the latest nurse/device information.

Furthermore, the nurse call device of the present invention is
A nurse call handset is installed near the bed for the patient to call a nurse,
A nurse call master unit installed in the nurse station to notify and respond to calls from the aforementioned patients,
It comprises at least a control unit that controls the nurse call master unit,
The control unit is configured to display nurse/terminal information on the display unit of the nurse call master unit, which is obtained by receiving operation input from the nurse on the mobile terminal carried by the nurse and associates the login information with the terminal identification information of the mobile terminal.
With the above configuration, nurse information and terminal identification information can be displayed in an associated state, allowing users to access the latest nurse/terminal information without the need to manually update it.

Furthermore, in a control method for controlling the computer constituting the nurse call system of the present invention,
The steps include obtaining the nurse's login information by receiving operation input from the nurse on a mobile terminal carried by the nurse,
A step of obtaining nurse/device information associated with the login information and the device identification information of the mobile device,
The procedure includes the step of displaying the nurse/terminal information on the display unit of the nurse call master unit.
According to the method described above, nurse information and terminal identification information can be displayed in an associated state, allowing users to access the latest nurse/terminal information without the need to manually update it.

Furthermore, the present invention relates to a program executed in a control unit constituting a nurse call system,
The program is provided to the processor of the control unit.
The steps include obtaining the nurse's login information by receiving operation input from the nurse on a mobile terminal carried by the nurse,
A step of obtaining nurse/device information associated with the login information and the device identification information of the mobile device,
The steps include: displaying the nurse/terminal information on the display unit of the nurse call master unit;
Make it run.
This program allows nurse information and terminal identification information to be displayed in an associated manner, so the latest nurse/terminal information can be obtained without the hassle of manually updating the nurse/terminal information.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a nurse call system that can efficiently obtain the latest nurse information.

This is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a nurse call system according to an embodiment of the present invention. This is a functional block diagram of the nurse call control unit included in the nurse call system shown in Figure 1. This figure shows the patient information table stored in the nurse call control unit shown in Figure 2. (a) is a diagram showing the inpatient information table stored in the nurse call control unit. (b) is a diagram showing the nurse information table stored in the nurse call control unit. (c) is a diagram showing the terminal identification information table stored in the mobile terminal. This is a flowchart illustrating an example of how a nurse call system works. This figure shows an example of a login screen on a mobile device. This figure shows an example of a table displayed on the display unit of a nurse call master unit. This figure shows an example of nurse/terminal information displayed on the display unit. This figure shows an example of nurse (terminal)/bed information displayed on the display unit. This is a flowchart illustrating another example of how the nurse call system works. This figure shows an example of the screen of the call response unit of a nurse call master unit. This flowchart illustrates yet another example of how the nurse call system works.

Below, an example of a nurse call system according to this embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 is a configuration diagram of the nurse call system according to this embodiment.

First, the nurse call system 1 of this embodiment will be described. As shown in Figure 1, the nurse call system 1 of this embodiment comprises a nurse call sub-unit 2, a corridor light 3, a nurse call master unit 4, a portable terminal 5, a nurse call control unit 6, and a communication device 8. The nurse call device is composed of the nurse call sub-unit 2, the corridor light 3, the nurse call master unit 4, the nurse call control unit 6, and the communication device 8. In other words, the nurse call system 1 of this embodiment comprises a nurse call device and a portable terminal 5.

Each nurse call sub-unit 2 is connected to the corridor light 3 via transmission line L1 for each patient room. Furthermore, the nurse call sub-unit 2, nurse call master unit 4, and nurse call control unit 6 are interconnected and can communicate with each other via network N (in this example, LAN: Local Area Network).

The nurse call sub-unit 2 is installed near each patient's bed in the hospital room and comprises a plate sub-unit 21 and a grip sub-unit 22 that can be attached to or detached from the plate sub-unit 21. The plate sub-unit 21 has a call button for summoning medical personnel such as nurses and doctors, and a microphone and speaker for communication. The grip sub-unit 22 has a call button for summoning medical personnel. Each nurse call sub-unit 2 has an individual sub-unit ID used on the network N. Note that the call button for summoning medical personnel may include, for example, a so-called nurse call button for patients to summon medical personnel, as well as a staff call button for medical personnel to summon other medical personnel.

The corridor light 3 is installed, for example, near the entrance to each patient room and includes a liquid crystal display 31 that displays patient information such as the patient's name and bed number when the nurse call sub-unit 2 is operated, and an indicator lamp 32 that notifies when a call is made from the nurse call sub-unit 2. The patient's name, room number, bed number, and other information are stored in the corridor light 3's memory unit (not shown) in association with the sub-unit ID of each nurse call sub-unit 2. The corridor light 3 transmits the call signal sent from the nurse call sub-unit 2 to the nurse call control unit 6 via the network N.

The nurse call master unit 4 is installed in a common area of the hospital, such as the nurse station, and includes a call notification unit that notifies of calls from the nurse call sub-units 2, and a call response unit that can respond to calls. As shown in Figure 1, the nurse call master unit 4 includes a handset 41 for responding to calls, a small monitor 42 that displays patient information, etc., and a large monitor 43 that displays a list of detailed information for each patient. The small monitor 42 and the large monitor 43 are examples of display units. The handset 41 is an example of a call response unit. Note that the call response unit is not limited to the handset 41. The call response unit may, for example, display the call details from the nurse call sub-units 2 in a pop-up format on the screen of the large monitor 43, and display an operation area for responding to calls, such as "Talk" or "Answer," in a part of the pop-up display, and respond to calls by touching the operation area with a finger.
The nurse call master unit 4 has an operation input section that can input various types of information. The operation input section is, for example, a large monitor 43 that is configured as a touch panel and can be operated using input means such as a finger or a stylus.

The mobile terminal 5 is a device carried by medical professionals for use in their work. For example, a smartphone with a touch-panel display screen 51 and wireless communication capabilities (e.g., Wi-Fi) can be used as the mobile terminal 5. Each mobile terminal 5 has an individual terminal number (terminal identification number).

The mobile terminal 5 has a communication mode that enables communication between the mobile terminal 5 and the nurse call sub-unit 2. In this communication mode, the mobile terminal 5 and the nurse call control unit 6 are connected wirelessly via the communication device 8, and communication between the mobile terminal 5 and the nurse call sub-unit 2 becomes possible using the terminal number mentioned above.

The nurse call control unit 6 is a control unit for controlling communication between the nurse call sub-unit 2 and each device. The nurse call control unit 6 is an example of a control unit. For example, when a nurse call is initiated from the nurse call sub-unit 2, the nurse call control unit 6 controls communication between the nurse call sub-unit 2 and the nurse call master unit 4, and communication between the nurse call sub-unit 2 and the mobile terminal 5.

The communication device 8 is a communication device for wireless communication (e.g., Wi-Fi) with the mobile terminal 5, and is installed at predetermined intervals within the hospital. The communication device 8 may also be capable of wireless communication using, for example, Bluetooth®. The communication device 8 is connected to the mobile terminal 5 via wireless means such as Wi-Fi® or Bluetooth®, and to the nurse call control unit 6 via a wired connection such as a LAN (Local Area Network). The communication device 8 may also be, for example, a Bluetooth® adapter (Bluetooth dongle) connected to the nurse call control unit 6. Furthermore, the corridor lights 3, the nurse call master unit 4, and the nurse call control unit 6 are connected via network N (LAN in this example) to enable communication, and are also distributed and connected by a hub 15 as needed.

Furthermore, the nurse call device (and nurse call system 1) may also include a private branch exchange (PBX) in addition to the network N described above, as equipment for managing communication connections between the nurse call sub-unit 2 and the mobile terminal 5, and between the nurse call master unit 4 and the mobile terminal 5. The PBX may be installed, for example, in a common area within the hospital. The PBX may connect the communication device 8, the transmission line L1, and the network N via wired or wireless connections such as transmission lines.

Furthermore, as shown in Figure 1, the nurse call system 1 is connected to the first external device 9 and the second external device 10 via the network N, enabling communication between them. The first external device 9 and the second external device 10 are devices that constitute separate, independent systems from the nurse call system 1. Note that the first external device 9 and the second external device 10 are connected to each other via the network N, enabling communication between them.

The first external device 9 is connected to the nurse call control unit 6 of the nurse call system 1 via the network N, enabling communication. The first external device 9 is configured as a management server (an example of a computer) that centrally manages the latest information about the hospital, including, for example, patient information, mobile device information, and medical staff information. The first external device 9 is installed, for example, within the hospital. Information stored in the first external device 9 can be entered/updated via a personal computer connected to the device.

The second external device 10 is connected to the nurse call control unit 6 of the nurse call system 1 via the network N, enabling communication. The second external device 10 is configured, for example, as an electronic medical record system (an example of a computer) that manages the medical records (charts) and nursing records of each patient, including inpatients and outpatients. The second external device 10 is installed, for example, within the hospital. Information stored in the second external device 10 can be input/updated via the device itself or a personal computer connected to it. The updated information in the second external device 10 is transmitted to the first external device 9 via the network N. The information in the first external device 9 is updated based on the information transmitted from the second external device 10.

Next, the functions of the nurse call control unit 6 will be explained with reference to Figures 2 and 3. Figure 2 is a functional block diagram of the nurse call control unit.
As shown in Figure 2, the nurse call control unit 6 comprises a control unit CPU 61, a storage unit 62 connected to the control unit CPU 61, and a control unit interface circuit (hereinafter, the interface circuit is referred to as "I/F") 63. The control unit I/F 63 constitutes a communication unit for forming a signal transmission path with the network N.

The control unit CPU (Central Processing Unit) 61 is equipped with a processor and memory, and is configured to execute various functions of the nurse call control unit 6, described later, by having the processor execute a program read from the memory. The control unit CPU 61 manages the transmission and reception of information stored in the memory unit 62, and handles connection processing between the nurse call master unit 4 and a predetermined mobile terminal 5 in response to calls from the nurse call slave unit 2. For example, the control unit CPU 61 handles communication processing between the mobile terminal 5 and the nurse call control unit 6 via the communication device 8 based on operations of the mobile terminal 5. For example, the control unit CPU 61 receives login information transmitted from the mobile terminal 5 via the communication device 8. The control unit CPU 61 also acquires information related to the information table 66 from the first external device 9 or the second external device 10 at a predetermined timing set in advance. For example, the control unit CPU 61 sends a table request signal to the second external device 10 to request the information table at a predetermined timing set in advance. The control unit CPU 61 works in cooperation with the program stored in the memory unit 62 to execute the steps shown in Figures 5, 10, and 12.

The memory unit 62 contains, for example, a patient information table 65 that associates multiple types of information about hospitalized patients, and an information table 66 that associates multiple types of information related to calls from the nurse call sub-unit 2. The memory unit 62 also stores programs for performing various information processing in cooperation with the control unit CPU 61.

Figure 3 shows an example of a patient information table 65 stored in the memory unit 62 of the nurse call control unit 6. As shown in Figure 3, the patient information table 65 stores patient information such as the patient's name (patient ID), medical department, emergency care category, room number, bed number, assigned nurse (nurse ID), mobile terminal number 5 (extension number), and assigned doctor (doctor ID), all associated with the nurse call sub-unit ID of the nurse call sub-unit 2. Each piece of information in the patient information table 65 is updated with the latest information whenever any of the information tables included in the information table 66 are updated. For example, each piece of information in the patient information table 65 is updated with the latest information whenever the nurse/terminal information table 66a, nurse (terminal)/bed information table 66b, and work information table 66c included in the information table 66 are updated. The information in the nurse/terminal information table 66a, nurse (terminal)/bed information table 66b, and work information table 66c is updated based on the latest information transmitted from the first external device 9 to the nurse call control unit 6 whenever the information in the first external device 9 is updated.

Information table 66 includes various information tables, such as a login information table, a nurse/terminal information table 66a, a nurse (terminal)/bed information table 66b, a work information table 66c, an inpatient information table, a nurse information table, and a terminal information table.
The login information table is an information table generated based on login information indicating that the user is logged in or logout information indicating that the user is logged out, as described below.
The Nurse (Terminal)/Bed Information Table 66b is an information table generated based on the Nurse (Terminal)/Bed Information described later. Note that Nurse (Terminal)/Bed Information may also be referred to as Nurse/Bed Information or Terminal/Bed Information. The Nurse (Terminal)/Bed Information Table 66b is an information table generated based on the Nurse (Terminal)/Bed Information described later.
Figure 4(a) shows an example of an inpatient information table in which information related to inpatients is stored. In the inpatient information table in Figure 4(a), the patient ID, patient name, the room number in which the patient is hospitalized, and the bed number are stored in association. Figure 4(b) shows an example of a nurse information table. In the nurse information table in Figure 4(b), the nurse ID, nurse name, and the ward in which the nurse works are stored in association. In the terminal information table, the terminal number of a mobile terminal and the area in which the mobile terminal is managed are stored in association. The inpatient information table in Figure 4(a) is an example of basic information stored in the second external device 10. The nurse information table in Figure 4(b) and the terminal identification information table in Figure 4(c) are examples of basic information stored in the first external device 9.

[Example of operation 1]
Next, we will explain Operation Example 1 of the Nurse Call System 1 with reference to Figures 5 to 9. Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating Operation Example 1 of the Nurse Call System 1. Figure 6 is a diagram showing an example of the login screen on the mobile terminal 5. Figure 7 is a diagram showing an example of a call information table including login information, nurse/terminal information, nurse (terminal)/bed information, and team information. Figure 8 is a diagram showing an example of nurse/terminal information displayed on the display unit of the nurse call master unit 4. Figure 9 is a diagram showing an example of nurse (terminal)/bed information displayed on the display unit.

In medical and nursing care settings, it is common practice for each nurse on duty to carry a mobile device, such as a smartphone, to respond to patient calls. If the number of mobile devices available at the site is less than the total number of nurses on duty, nurses who report for work will carry and use any mobile device that is not currently being used. Therefore, the latest information on which nurses are using their mobile devices changes daily.
On the other hand, as described above, the various types of information stored in the first external device 9 are updated based on the information transmitted from the second external device 10, and the information in the second external device 10 is updated via a personal computer installed in the hospital. The latest nurse information using the mobile terminal 5 can also be obtained by updating the information in the second external device 10 and the information in the first external device 9.
However, in a medical setting, a patient's condition can change rapidly, and changes may occur, such as an increase in the number of patients assigned to a nurse, to accommodate these changes. Furthermore, sudden shift changes may occur, such as a nurse being absent due to illness, requiring a nurse who was only scheduled for day shifts to take on an evening shift. In such cases of sudden changes in assigned patients or shifts, the busy nature of the medical setting may prevent the head nurse or other staff from updating the latest nurse information, potentially leading to a lack of up-to-date nurse information.
Therefore, in this example, as detailed below, the system acquires nurse/terminal information by associating the login information of a nurse who has reported to work with the terminal identification information of the mobile terminal 5 that received this login information, making it possible to efficiently grasp the latest updates to nurse information.

The mobile terminal 5 carried by nurses is lent to each nurse on duty by the hospital, for example, during the morning meeting, as the mobile terminal to be used that day. For example, let's consider the case where Nurse Kana Murakami, working the day shift, is lent mobile terminal 5 with terminal number (extension number) 3301. Nurse Kana Murakami uses her finger to operate the touch panel display screen 51 of the lent mobile terminal 5 to launch an application used within the hospital. As a result, the application's login screen appears on the display screen 51 of the mobile terminal 5, as shown in Figure 6. On this login screen, Nurse Kana Murakami enters her nurse ID, 101 (see Figure 4(b)), into the ID input area 52, and then presses the login button 53 to complete the login operation. Note that during the login operation, the nurse may be required to enter their name instead of their nurse ID, or a password in addition to their nurse ID.

When the login button 53 is pressed, the mobile terminal 5 accepts the login operation (step S101 in Figure 5). Upon accepting the login operation, the mobile terminal 5 obtains the nurse ID (101) entered in the login operation, and also obtains login information indicating that the nurse with nurse ID (101) is logged in. The login information indicating that the nurse is logged in indicates that the nurse is on duty and carrying the mobile terminal 5. The mobile terminal 5 generates nurse/terminal information that associates the nurse's login information with the terminal identification information of the mobile terminal 5 carried by the nurse (step S102). For example, the mobile terminal 5 generates nurse/terminal information that associates the nurse ID of nurse Kana Murakami, the login information indicating that nurse Kana Murakami is logged in, and the terminal number of its own terminal, 3301. In addition to or instead of the nurse ID, the nurse's name and the team to which the nurse belongs may also be included in the nurse/terminal information.
The mobile terminal 5 transmits the nurse/terminal information generated in step S102 to the nurse call control unit 6 (step S103).

The nurse call control unit 6 receives nurse/terminal information from the mobile terminal 5 via the control unit I/F 63. The control unit CPU 61 of the nurse call control unit 6 updates the nurse information and mobile terminal information in each information table based on the received nurse/terminal information. Specifically, based on the information that Nurse Kana Murakami (Nurse ID 101) is logged in, the login information for Nurse Kana Murakami in information table 66 is updated. Also, based on the information that Nurse Kana Murakami (Nurse ID 101) is logged in, the terminal identification number for Nurse Kana Murakami in information table 66 is updated to 3301. The information updated by the control unit CPU 61 is stored in the storage unit 62.

Figure 7 shows an example of a call information table 101 generated by the nurse call control unit 6 and stored in the memory unit 62. As shown in Figure 7, the call information table 101 stores the patient ID, the number of the hospital room where the patient is hospitalized, the bed number in the hospital room, the name of the assigned nurse, and the number of the mobile terminal, all associated with each other. Furthermore, the call information table 101 is divided into multiple information tables depending on the nurse's working hours. In this example, the nurse's working hours are divided into three time slots: "day shift," "evening shift," and "night shift." Therefore, the call information table 101 is divided into an information table for the day shift, an information table for the evening shift, and an information table for the night shift. The call information table 101 is created in a manner that includes the nurse's login information, a nurse/terminal information table that associates the nurse's login information with the terminal identification information of the mobile terminal 5 carried by the nurse, a nurse (terminal)/bed information table that shows the nurse (terminal)/bed information described later, and a work information table that shows the nurse and their work status (working hours).

Thus, the nurse call system 1 of this embodiment includes a mobile terminal 5. The mobile terminal 5 acquires nurse/terminal information, which is an association between the login information of the nurse carrying the mobile terminal 5 and the terminal identification information of the terminal that received this login information. The information in the information table is updated based on the acquired nurse/terminal information, enabling efficient updating of the latest nurse information.

Returning to Figure 5, the nurse call control unit 6 generates display data for the nurse/terminal information received from the mobile terminal 5 (step S104). For example, it creates display data including the latest nurse information contained in the received nurse/terminal information, name of Nurse Kana Murakami, and the terminal identification number 3301 of the mobile terminal 5 carried by Nurse Kana Murakami. The nurse call control unit 6 transmits the generated nurse/terminal information display data to the nurse call master unit 4 (step S105).

The nurse call master unit 4 displays the received nurse/terminal information data on its display unit (step S106). The display unit can be, for example, the screen of a large monitor 43. Figure 8 shows an example of displaying nurse/terminal information on the large monitor 43 of the nurse call master unit 4. In Figure 8, the latest nurse/terminal information received by the nurse call master unit 4 is displayed as "Assigned Nurse: Kana Murakami" and the terminal identification number "Terminal Number 3301" of the portable terminal 5 carried by Nurse Kana Murakami.

In this way, based on the login information of Nurse Kana Murakami obtained from the mobile terminal 5, the latest nursing information of Nurse Kana Murakami and the latest terminal identification information of the mobile terminal 5 carried by Nurse Kana Murakami are displayed on the nurse call master unit 4. Therefore, the head nurse or other staff can obtain the latest nurse/terminal information via the nurse call master unit 4 without having to manually update the nurse information.

Returning to Figure 5, the nurse call master unit 4 accepts the operation of the assigned call setting by the head nurse or the like (step S107). The assigned call setting is a setting that identifies and calls the mobile terminal 5 that should be called when a call operation is made from the nurse call sub-unit 2. The assigned call setting is entered by operating the operation input section of the nurse call master unit 4. The operation input section of the nurse call master unit 4 is operated, for example, by touching the large monitor 43 of the nurse call master unit 4 with a finger to display an input area where the assigned call setting can be entered, and then entering the content to be set in this input area or selecting/changing the content displayed in the input area. The nurse call master unit 4 displays the latest nurse information, Nurse Kana Murakami (Figure 4(b)), the terminal identification information of Nurse Kana Murakami's mobile terminal 5, 3301 (Figure 4(c)), and information on patient Ichiro Suzuki (Patient ID 0331) and patient Michiko Yokoyama (Patient ID 0553) (Figure 4(a)) in the input area of the large monitor 43 for assigned call settings. The head nurse or other nurse touches the input area (operation input section) of the nurse call master unit 4 with their finger to register Ichiro Suzuki (Patient ID 0331) as Nurse Kana Murakami's assigned patient. This input registers the information that Ichiro Suzuki (Patient ID 0331) is included as Nurse Kana Murakami's assigned patient. The content of the operation input is transmitted from the nurse call master unit 4 to the nurse call control unit 6 as input information (step S108).

The nurse call control unit 6 receives input information from the operation input section of the nurse call master unit 4. Based on the input information received from the nurse call master unit 4, the nurse call control unit 6 generates nurse (terminal)/bed information (step S109). Nurse (terminal)/bed information indicates the correspondence between a nurse and a designated patient (a patient assigned to that nurse). For example, the nurse call control unit 6 receives input information from the nurse call master unit 4 indicating that Nurse Kana Murakami's assigned patients include Ichiro Suzuki (patient ID 0331). Based on the login information received in step S103 indicating that Nurse Kana Murakami is logged in, the nurse call control unit 6 generates nurse (terminal)/bed information indicating the correspondence between Nurse Kana Murakami and patient Ichiro Suzuki (patient ID 0331), that is, nurse (terminal)/bed information indicating that Nurse Kana Murakami is the assigned nurse to patient Ichiro Suzuki.

In this way, based on the login information of Nurse Kana Murakami obtained from mobile device 5, Nurse (device)/bed information is generated that shows the correspondence between Nurse Kana Murakami's latest nurse information and Nurse Kana Murakami's latest assigned patient information. Therefore, the latest Nurse (device)/bed information can be updated without the need for the head nurse or other personnel to manually update the nurse information.

The nurse call control unit 6 generates display data for displaying the nurse (terminal)/bed information based on the generated nurse (terminal)/bed information. The nurse call control unit 6 transmits the generated display data to the nurse call master unit 4 (step S110).
The nurse call master unit 4 displays nurse (terminal)/bed information on its display unit based on the display data received from the nurse call control unit 6 (step S111). Similar to step S106, the display unit can be, for example, a large monitor 43. Figure 9 shows an example of the display of nurse (terminal)/bed information, where the patient name "Ichiro Suzuki" and the name of the nurse in charge, "Murakami," are displayed on the screen of the large monitor 43.

Thus, the nurse call control unit 6 generates nurse (terminal)/bed information indicating the correspondence between nurse Kana Murakami and patient Ichiro Suzuki, based on the login information of nurse Kana Murakami. The nurse call master unit 4 displays the nurse (terminal)/bed information on the large monitor 43, allowing for the display of the latest nurse information along with the nurse's most recently assigned patient, making it easy to identify the nurse currently in charge of a patient.

Returning to Figure 5, the nurse call control unit 6 transmits the generated nurse (terminal)/bed information display data to each mobile terminal 5 (step S112).
Each mobile terminal 5 displays the nurse (terminal)/bed information display data received from the nurse call control unit 6 on its display unit (step S113). The display unit is, for example, the display screen 51 of the mobile terminal 5. The display on the display screen 51 can be the same as the display shown in the enlarged portion of Figure 9.

Thus, the nurse call control unit 6 generates nurse (terminal)/bed information indicating the correspondence between nurse Kana Murakami and patient Ichiro Suzuki, based on the login information of nurse Kana Murakami. The mobile terminal 5 displays this nurse (terminal)/bed information on the display screen 51. Therefore, the latest nurse information, along with the nurse's most recently assigned patient, can be displayed on the display screen 51, allowing each nurse carrying a mobile terminal 5 to easily identify the currently assigned nurse for a patient.

Here, when the nurse call sub-unit 2 receives a call operation (step S114), the nurse call sub-unit 2 transmits call operation information to the nurse call control unit 6 (step S115). The call operation information may include, for example, information such as the bed number of the bed where the nurse call sub-unit 2 is installed and the ward location. Based on the call operation information and nurse (terminal)/bed information received from the nurse call sub-unit 2, the nurse call control unit 6 generates call data to summon the assigned nurse (step S116). For example, the nurse call control unit 6 obtains patient information corresponding to the received call operation information, namely Suzuki Ichiro, obtains nurse Murakami Kana from the nurse (terminal)/bed information corresponding to the obtained patient information, and generates call data to summon the assigned nurse Murakami Kana.
The nurse call control unit 6 transmits call data to the nurse call master unit 4 based on the call data generated in step S116 (step S117).

Upon receiving the call data, the nurse call master unit 4 issues a call notification regarding the received call data (step S118). For example, based on the call data, the nurse call master unit 4 displays a pop-up display area on the large monitor 43, displays the contents of the call in the display area, and also issues an audible call notification from the speaker (not shown) of the nurse call master unit 4. The contents of the call displayed on the large monitor 43 can be the same as the enlarged portion in Figure 11. Nurses at the nurse station where the nurse call master unit 4 is installed can talk to the patient who made the call by pressing the "Talk" button.
In this way, call notifications can be sent based on call data generated from nurse (terminal)/bed information, allowing for call notifications to be sent based on call data that reflects the most recent assigned nurse, ensuring a reliable response to calls from the nurse call sub-unit 2.

Furthermore, the nurse call control unit 6 transmits the call data generated in step S116 to the mobile terminal 5 carried by the assigned nurse (step S119).
The mobile terminal 5, upon receiving the call data, issues a call notification regarding the received call data (step S120). For example, based on the call data, the mobile terminal 5 displays the call details on the display screen 51 and also issues an audio call notification from the speaker of the mobile terminal 5. The call details displayed on the display screen 51 can be the same as the enlarged portion in Figure 11. Nurse Kana Murakami, who is carrying the mobile terminal 5 that has received the call notification, can talk to the patient who made the call by pressing the "Call" button displayed on the display screen 51.

In this way, since the call data generated based on the nurse (terminal)/bed information is notified to the mobile terminal 5 of the most recently assigned nurse, the patient's call can be directed to the most recently assigned nurse, and the most recently assigned nurse can respond to the call from the nurse call sub-unit 2 reliably and quickly.

As described above, the nurse call system 1 of this embodiment includes a nurse call sub-unit 2, a nurse call master unit 4, a portable terminal 5 carried by a nurse, and a nurse call control unit 6 that controls at least the nurse call master unit 4. The portable terminal 5 is configured to receive operation input from a nurse to acquire the nurse's login information and to transmit nurse/terminal information, which is associated with the acquired login information and the terminal identification information of the portable terminal 5, to the nurse call control unit 6. The nurse call control unit 6 is configured to display the received nurse/terminal information on the display unit (for example, a large monitor 43) of the nurse call master unit 4. With this configuration, nurse/terminal information, which is associated with nurse information and terminal identification information based on the login information acquired from the portable terminal 5, can be displayed on the nurse call master unit 4. Therefore, nurses can obtain the latest nurse/terminal information via the nurse call master unit 4 without having to manually update the nurse/terminal information.
The same effects as those of the nurse call system 1 can be obtained in a method for controlling the computer constituting the nurse call system 1, and in a program for causing the control unit CPU 61 of the nurse call control unit 6 to execute each step.

[Example of operation 2]
Incidentally, it is possible that a call operation may be made from the nurse call sub-unit 2 while the head nurse or other staff member is setting up assigned call settings on the nurse call master unit 4. Below, an example of the operation of the nurse call system 1 when a call operation is made while assigned call settings are being made will be explained as Operation Example 2, with reference to Figure 10.

As shown in Figure 10, first, the head nurse or other designated nurse starts the call assignment setting operation by operating the operation input section of the nurse call master unit 4 (step S201). The operation of the operation input section displays the call assignment setting operation screen (step S202). The operation screen is, for example, an input area displayed on the large monitor 43 of the nurse call master unit 4.

If no call operation is performed from the nurse call sub-unit 2 while the input area (operation screen) for assigned call settings is displayed on the large monitor 43 (No in step S203), the nurse call master unit 4 continues to accept operations for assigned call settings (step S204). For example, the input area for assigned call settings displayed on the large monitor 43 continues to accept input from the operator, such as by touching the screen. Once the input operation for the assigned call setting input area is completed, the nurse call master unit 4 terminates the acceptance of operations for assigned call settings (step S205). Having terminated the acceptance of operations for assigned call settings, the nurse call master unit 4 returns to step S201 and waits until it accepts the start of a new assigned call setting operation (step S201).

On the other hand, if a call operation is performed from the nurse call sub-unit 2 while the input area for assigned call settings is displayed on the large monitor 43 (Yes in step S203), the nurse call master unit 4 displays a call response screen on the large monitor 43 (step S211). In this case, for example, the call response screen may be displayed instead of the input area (operation screen) for assigned call settings that was displayed on the large monitor 43. Alternatively, the call response screen may be superimposed on the operation screen. This allows the nurse call master unit 4 to prioritize operations on the call response screen displayed on the large monitor 43 over operations on assigned call settings. When a call response operation is being performed, the operations on assigned call settings may be temporarily suspended, and the settings may be temporarily saved.

The call response screen displayed on the nurse call master unit 4 can be, for example, the display shown in the enlarged section of Figure 11. Figure 11 is an example of a call response screen displayed in a pop-up format on a large monitor 43. The call response screen displays "Nurse Call" and "Patient Information: Ichiro Suzuki," and "Call" and "End Call" buttons are displayed as call response units that can be operated with a finger or the like. When the call response screen is displayed, a nurse at the nurse station where the nurse call master unit 4 is installed can press the "Call" button on the call response unit. When the nurse call master unit 4 accepts the call response operation (step S212), a call can be started (step S213), and the nurse can speak with the patient who made the call.

When the call ends on the call answering screen (step S214), the nurse call master unit 4 returns to step S202, hides the call answering screen, and displays the assigned call setting operation screen (step S202). From this point onward, it accepts operations for assigned call settings until a call is received from the nurse call sub-unit 2.

According to this example, if a patient calls while a nurse (terminal) is in the process of updating bed information, responding to the call takes priority over updating the information, allowing for a quicker response to the patient's request.

[Example of operation 3]
Next, we will explain an example of how the nurse call system 1 operates when a nurse or other staff member logs out, as example 3.
After finishing their shift for the day, the nurse operates the portable terminal 5 they carry with them to launch the application used within the hospital and log out. For example, when Nurse Kana Murakami finishes her shift, she operates the display screen 51 of the portable terminal 5 to display the application's logout button (not shown) on the display screen 51 of the portable terminal 5, and presses the logout button to log out. When the logout button is pressed, the portable terminal 5 accepts the logout operation and obtains the logout information of Nurse Kana Murakami who performed the logout operation. The logout information indicates that the nurse has logged out of the terminal and is no longer on duty. Having obtained Nurse Kana Murakami's logout information, the portable terminal 5 transmits the obtained logout information, the nurse information of the logged-out nurse (Nurse ID 101), and the terminal identification number of its own terminal (Terminal number 3301) to the nurse call control unit 6.

When the nurse call control unit 6 receives logout information from the mobile terminal 5, it updates the information in each information table, such as the call information table 101 in Figure 7, based on the received logout information, the nurse information associated with the logout information, and the terminal identification information. For example, when the nurse call control unit 6 receives logout information regarding Nurse Kana Murakami's logout, it changes the login information for "Assigned Nurse Kana Murakami" to "Logout." If Nurse Kana Murakami logs out, the nurse call control unit 6 deletes the information associating the mobile terminal 5 with terminal number 3301 and its owner, "Kana Murakami," from the nurse/terminal information included in the call information table 101 in Figure 7. Alternatively, the nurse call control unit 6 maintains the association between the nurse/terminal information included in the call information table 101 in Figure 7 and Nurse Kana Murakami's logout information until another nurse logs in to terminal number 3301 and the nurse (terminal)/terminal information is updated. Furthermore, the nurse call control unit 6 removes the information from the nurse (terminal)/bed information contained in the call information table 101 indicating that the assigned nurse for patients Ichiro Suzuki and Taro Tanaka is "Kana Murakami." Alternatively, the nurse call control unit 6 maintains an association between the nurse (terminal)/bed information contained in the call information table 101 and the logout information of nurse Kana Murakami until a call setting is made indicating that another nurse is the assigned nurse for the patients (Ichiro Suzuki and Taro Tanaka).

If a call is made from patient Suzuki Ichiro's nurse call sub-unit 2 after nurse Murakami Kana has logged out, the nurse call control unit 6 performs a slide call to identify and call another nurse who is logged in. Specifically, when the nurse call control unit 6 receives a call operation from nurse call sub-unit 2, it obtains patient information (Suzuki Ichiro) corresponding to the received call operation information and obtains logout information that assigned nurse Murakami Kana has logged out. Having obtained the logout information of assigned nurse Murakami Kana, the nurse call control unit 6 obtains nurse Murakami Kana's nurse ID 101 from the nurse/terminal information associated with the logout information of nurse Murakami Kana, and obtains information on nurses with similar nurse IDs based on the obtained nurse ID 101. Nurses with similar nurse IDs can be, for example, the nurses with similar nurse IDs shown in Figure 4(b). The nurse call control unit 6 obtains information on nurse Sato Tomoko, with nurse ID 113, as a nurse with a nurse ID close to the nurse ID 101 of the logged-out nurse Murakami Kana, and obtains Sato Tomoko's login information. As shown in Figure 7, Nurse ID 113, Tomoko Sato, is logged out (before her shift). Therefore, the nurse call control unit 6 obtains Nurse Tomoko Sato's logout information. The nurse call control unit 6 then searches for a nurse with a similar Nurse ID and obtains Nurse ID 120, Miyoko Ueda's information, and then obtains Nurse Miyoko Ueda's login information. As shown in Figure 7, Nurse Miyoko Ueda is logged in for the day shift (on duty). Based on the call information received from patient Ichiro Suzuki's nurse call sub-unit 2, the nurse call control unit 6 generates call data to summon Nurse Miyoko Ueda and transmits the generated call data to the nurse call master unit 4.

According to this example, if a patient calls the mobile terminal 5 (terminal number 3301) of Nurse Kana Murakami, who has logged out, the system is configured to call the mobile terminal 5 of a nurse who is logged in, other than Nurse Kana Murakami's mobile terminal 5 (terminal number 3301). Therefore, Nurse Miyoko Ueda, who is logged in (on duty), can respond reliably and quickly to the call from patient Ichiro Suzuki.

[Example of operation 4]
In the above Operation Example 3, an example of performing a slide call was described, but the call when a nurse logs out is not limited to the manner in which it is performed. Another example of the operation of the nurse call system 1 when a nurse logs out is described below as Operation Example 4. The process of the nurse logging out, the transmission of logout information from the mobile terminal 5 to the nurse call control unit 6, and the change of the login information in the nurse/terminal information to "logout" is the same as in Operation Example 3, so a detailed explanation is omitted.

Let's explain using the example of patient Suzuki Ichiro's assigned nurse, Murakami Kana, and the case where Nurse Murakami Kana logs out. When a call is made from patient Suzuki Ichiro's nurse call handset 2, the nurse call control unit 6 obtains information on other nurses who are logged in and performs a full terminal call to call the mobile terminals 5 of all nurses who are logged in. Specifically, when the nurse call control unit 6 receives a call operation from patient Suzuki Ichiro's nurse call handset 2, it obtains patient information (Suzuki Ichiro) corresponding to the received call operation information, and also obtains that the login information of assigned nurse Murakami Kana, which corresponds to the obtained patient information, is "logged out". Having obtained the logout information of assigned nurse Murakami Kana, the nurse call control unit 6 then obtains information on all mobile terminals 5 that are logged in, based on the latest nurse (terminal)/bed information. As shown in the nurse information in Figure 4(b) and the call information table 101 in Figure 7, Nurse ID 120 Ueda Miyoko, Nurse ID 718 Mineta Reiko, and Nurse ID 612 Hattori Michiko are logged in. The nurse call control unit 6 generates call data based on the call information received from patient Ichiro Suzuki's nurse call sub-unit 2, transmits the generated call data to the nurse call master unit 4, and also transmits it to the mobile terminals 5 of nurses Miyoko Ueda (Nurse ID 120), Reiko Mineta (Nurse ID 718), and Michiko Hattori (Nurse ID 612).

According to this example, if a call is received from patient Ichiro Suzuki, whose mobile device 5 (device number 3301) corresponds to nurse Kana Murakami, who has logged out, the system is configured to call all mobile devices 5 included in the nurse/device information. Therefore, a nurse who is logged in and available to respond to the nurse call can reliably and quickly respond to the patient's call.

[Example of operation 5]
The above example illustrates how login information is sent from each mobile terminal 5 to the nurse call control unit 6 individually and at any time. However, the transmission of login information is not limited to the above example. Below, an example of the operation of the nurse call system 1 when login information is sent in bulk will be explained as Operation Example 5, with reference to Figure 12.

For example, let's designate mobile terminal 5 (terminal number 3301), lent to Nurse Kana Murakami for use on the day, as the first mobile terminal, and mobile terminal 5 (terminal number 3302), lent to Nurse Miyoko Ueda for use on the day, as the second mobile terminal. Nurse Kana Murakami performs a login operation using her mobile terminal 5, and the first mobile terminal (terminal number 3301) receives Nurse Kana Murakami's login operation (step S311). Based on the received login operation, the first mobile terminal generates nurse/terminal information, linking Nurse Kana Murakami's nurse information with the terminal identification information (terminal number 3301) of the first mobile terminal (step S312).

Nurse Miyoko Ueda also performs a login operation using her second mobile terminal, and the second mobile terminal accepts Nurse Miyoko Ueda's login operation (step S313). Based on the accepted login operation, the second mobile terminal generates nurse/terminal information that associates Nurse Miyoko Ueda's nurse information with the terminal identification information of the second mobile terminal (terminal number 3302) (step S314).
The second mobile terminal transmits the nurse/terminal information generated in step S314 to the first mobile terminal (step S315).

The first mobile terminal transmits to the nurse call control unit 6, in a single batch, the nurse/terminal information of Nurse Miyoko Ueda received from the second mobile terminal and the nurse/terminal information of Nurse Kana Murakami generated on its own terminal. Specifically, the first mobile terminal generates a batch of nurse/terminal information based on the nurse/terminal information received from the second mobile terminal and the nurse/terminal information generated on its own terminal (step S316). The batch of nurse/terminal information includes the nurse's name, the terminal identification number of each mobile terminal, and may also include the nurse ID. The first mobile terminal transmits the generated batch information to the nurse call control unit 6 (step S317).
In this way, nurse/device information from both the user's own device and other mobile devices can be sent collectively from the mobile device, making it easy to update the latest nurse/device information.

The nurse call control unit 6 updates nurse/terminal information based on the received batch information. For example, based on the information that Nurse Kana Murakami (Nurse ID 101) is logged in, it updates Nurse Kana Murakami's login information in the call information table 101 to "Logged in" and updates Nurse Kana Murakami's terminal identification number to 3301. Similarly, based on the information that Nurse Miyoko Ueda (Nurse ID 120) is logged in, the nurse call control unit 6 updates Nurse Miyoko Ueda's login information in the call information table 101 to "Logged in" and updates Nurse Miyoko Ueda's terminal identification number to 3302.
In this way, nurse/device information for multiple mobile devices can be updated based on a single piece of information, making it easier and faster to update the latest nurse/device information.

Next, the nurse call control unit 6 generates display data for nurse/terminal information based on the aggregated information (step S318). The generated display data can be the same as the nurse/terminal information exemplified in Figure 8, but is not limited to this. For example, display data including the assigned nurse column, terminal number column, and team column shown in the call information table 101 in Figure 7 may be generated.
The nurse call control unit 6 transmits the display data generated in step S318 to the nurse call master unit 4 (step S319).
The nurse call master unit 4 displays the display data received from the nurse call control unit 6 on its display unit (step S320). For example, the nurse call master unit 4 displays nurse/terminal information on the large monitor 43.

In this way, based on the aggregated information acquired from the first mobile terminal, multiple up-to-date nurse information entries and multiple up-to-date terminal identification information entries generated by the first mobile terminal are displayed on the nurse call master unit 4. Therefore, the head nurse or other staff can obtain the latest nurse/terminal information via the nurse call master unit 4 without having to manually update the nurse information.

Next, when the nurse call master unit 4 performs the call assignment setting operation via its operation input section, the nurse call master unit 4 accepts the call assignment setting operation (step S321). The call assignment setting operation can be performed in the same way as in S107 (see Figure 5).
The nurse call master unit 4 transmits the received operational information regarding assigned call settings to the nurse call control unit 6 (step S322).

The nurse call control unit 6 generates nurse (terminal)/bed information based on the operation information for assigned call settings received from the nurse call master unit 4 (step S323). For example, the nurse call control unit 6 receives operation information from the nurse call master unit 4 to include Hanako Kawaguchi (patient ID 0333) as one of the patients assigned to Nurse Miyoko Ueda, and based on this operation information, generates nurse (terminal)/bed information indicating the correspondence between Nurse Miyoko Ueda and Patient Hanako Kawaguchi (patient ID 0333), that is, Nurse (terminal)/bed information indicating that Miyoko Ueda is the assigned nurse for Patient Hanako Kawaguchi.
In this way, without requiring the head nurse or other staff to manually update nurse information, the latest nurse (device)/bed information, which associates the nurse information of multiple nurses with the patient information they are assigned to, can be updated more efficiently using nurse/device information generated based on the login information of multiple nurses obtained from the first mobile device.

The nurse call control unit 6 generates display data based on nurse (terminal)/bed information and transmits the generated display data to the nurse call master unit 4 (step S324).
The nurse call master unit 4 displays the display data received from the nurse call control unit 6 on its display unit. In this example of operation, the display of nurse (terminal)/bed information can be the same as the display shown in Figure 9, for example.
In this way, the latest nurse (terminal)/bed information generated based on the login information of multiple nurses obtained from the first mobile terminal is displayed on the display unit of the nurse call master unit 4, so that the latest nurse (terminal)/bed information of multiple nurses can be grasped on the display unit of the nurse call master unit 4.

Next, the nurse call control unit 6 transmits display data generated based on nurse (terminal)/bed information to the first mobile terminal (step S326). The first mobile terminal displays the display data received from the nurse call control unit 6 on the display screen 51 of the first mobile terminal (step S327).
Furthermore, the nurse call control unit 6 transmits display data generated based on nurse (terminal)/bed information to the second mobile terminal (step S328). The second mobile terminal displays the display data received from the nurse call control unit 6 on the display screen 51 of the second mobile terminal (step S329).
In this way, the latest nurse (terminal)/bed information generated based on the login information of multiple nurses obtained from the first mobile terminal is displayed on the display screen 51 of the first mobile terminal and the display screen 51 of the second mobile terminal. As a result, each nurse carrying each mobile terminal 5 can more efficiently grasp the latest nurse (terminal)/bed information of multiple nurses.

[Example of operation 6]
For example, due to changes in bed assignments after hospitalization, the nurse assigned at the time of admission may differ from the nurse currently assigned. Also, nurse login information (attendance information) changes daily, and as a result of these changes, the patients assigned to nurses logged into the mobile terminal 5 also change. Therefore, it is possible that a patient's assigned nurse may log out, and the information about the patient's assigned nurse may not be up-to-date. Under these circumstances, there may be patients that are not included in the nurse (terminal)/bed information generated based on the nurse/terminal information. In other words, a situation may occur where a given patient is not associated with a logged-in nurse. While calls from patients not included in the nurse (terminal)/bed information generated based on the nurse/terminal information can be handled by the slide call in operation example 3 or the all-terminal call in operation example 4, for faster call response, it is preferable to associate patients not included in the nurse (terminal)/bed information generated based on the nurse/terminal information with a specific nurse and set a nurse responsible for calling those patients.
The following is an example of how the nurse call system 1 operates to associate a specific patient with a specific nurse when the nurse (terminal)/bed information generated based on the nurse/terminal information does not include the specified patient. This example is referred to as Operation Example 6.

If the nurse (terminal)/bed information generated based on the nurse/terminal information does not include a specific patient, it is preferable that, for example, the display field for the patient not included in the nurse (terminal)/bed information is displayed differently from the display field for patients included in the nurse (terminal)/bed information in the patient information list displayed on the nurse call master unit 4. This allows the head nurse or other personnel viewing the patient information list to easily set the association (assigned call setting) between the specific patient and the specific nurse. The association between the specific patient and the specific nurse can be set using the operation input section of the nurse call master unit 4. As described above, the operation input section can be, for example, an input area displayed by operating the large monitor 43 with a finger.

If the nurse (terminal)/bed information generated based on the nurse/terminal information does not include a specific patient (e.g., Daisuke Aoki), the head nurse or other relevant person will use their finger to operate the input area of the large monitor 43 to input a setting that associates patient Daisuke Aoki (patient ID) with the currently logged-in nurse (e.g., Nurse Reiko Mineta). The entered operation information (setting information) is transmitted from the nurse call master unit 4 to the nurse call control unit 6.

The nurse call control unit 6 updates the call information table 101 based on the operation information (setting information) received from the nurse call master unit 4. The nurse call control unit 6 also generates display data based on the updated nurse/terminal information, which states that the latest assigned nurse for patient Aoki Daisuke is Nurse Mineta Reiko, and transmits the display data to the nurse call master unit 4 and each mobile terminal 5. The nurse call master unit 4 displays the received display data on its display unit, and each mobile terminal 5 displays the received display data on its display screen 51.
In this way, if there are patients who have not been associated with a logged-in nurse, the nurse call master unit 4 can be configured to associate the nurse with the patient, thereby preventing omissions in the call assignment settings.

[Example of operation 7]
As explained in Operation Example 6 above, it is possible that a patient may not be associated with a logged-in nurse, and therefore may not be included in the nurse (terminal)/bed information generated based on the nurse/terminal information. In such a situation, before the settings in Operation Example 6 above, which associate a patient with a specific nurse, are performed, a call may be made from the nurse call sub-unit 2 of a patient not included in the nurse (terminal)/bed information generated based on the nurse/terminal information. It is necessary to respond quickly to calls at such timings as well.
An example of the operation of the nurse call system 1 in this case will be described below as Operation Example 7.

Before setting up the association between a patient (e.g., Daisuke Aoki) not included in the nurse (terminal)/bed information generated based on nurse/terminal information and a designated nurse, if a call is made from patient Daisuke Aoki's nurse call sub-unit 2, patient Daisuke Aoki's nurse call sub-unit 2 transmits call operation information to the nurse call control unit 6. The nurse call control unit 6 obtains patient Daisuke Aoki's information based on the received call operation information. Furthermore, the nurse call control unit 6 obtains the nurse information and login information of patient Daisuke Aoki's assigned nurse from the latest nurse/terminal information. The nurse call control unit 6 obtains information from the latest nurse/terminal information that patient Daisuke Aoki's assigned nurse is Sae Kobayashi, but also obtains that nurse Sae Kobayashi's login information is logged out. As a result, the nurse call control unit 6 determines that patient Daisuke Aoki is a patient who is not associated with a designated logged-in nurse and is not included in the latest nurse (terminal)/bed information. The nurse call control unit 6 generates call data based on the call operation information received from patient Aoki Daisuke's nurse call sub-unit 2. The nurse call control unit 6 transmits the call data to the nurse call master unit 4. The nurse call master unit 4 displays the contents of the call data on its display unit and outputs the contents of the call data as audio through its speaker. Furthermore, based on information indicating that patient Aoki Daisuke is not included in the latest nurse (terminal)/bed information, the nurse call control unit 6 transmits the call data to all mobile terminals 5 included in the latest nurse (terminal)/bed information. Each mobile terminal 5 that receives the call data displays the contents of the call data on its display screen 51 and outputs the contents of the call data as audio through its speaker (not shown).

According to this example, if a call is received from the nurse call sub-unit 2 of a patient (Daisuke Aoki) who is not associated with a logged-in nurse, the system will call the mobile terminals 5 of all logged-in nurses. This allows logged-in nurses to respond to patient Daisuke Aoki's nurse call more reliably and quickly.

[Example of operation 8]
As explained in the above example 6, a patient may not be associated with a logged-in nurse, and there may be patients who are not included in the nurse (terminal)/bed information generated based on the nurse/terminal information.
On the other hand, some nurses log in and start their shifts anew due to the transition between day shifts, evening shifts, and night shifts.
Therefore, it is also preferable to configure settings to associate newly logged-in nurses with patients not included in the nurse (terminal)/bed information generated based on the nurse/terminal information, and to assign a caller for patients not included in the nurse (terminal)/bed information generated based on the nurse/terminal information.
An example of the operation of the nurse call system 1 in this case will be described below as Operation Example 8.

Let's explain using the example of a case where the patient Aoki Daisuke is not included in the nurse (terminal)/bed information generated based on the nurse/terminal information.
The nurse call control unit 6 receives nurse/terminal information from each mobile terminal 5 at multiple times. For example, at 8:00 AM, the nurse call control unit 6 receives nurse/terminal information for Nurse Kana Murakami. Next, at 8:15 AM, the nurse call control unit 6 receives nurse/terminal information for Nurse Reiko Mineta.

The nurse call control unit 6 generates nurse (terminal)/bed information based on the nurse/terminal information received at 8:00 AM. The nurse/terminal information received at 8:00 AM does not include the login information of Nurse Mineta Reiko. Also, the nurse (terminal)/bed information based on the nurse/terminal information received at 8:00 AM does not include the patient Aoki Daisuke. Next, the nurse call control unit 6 receives nurse/terminal information at 8:15 AM. The nurse/terminal information received at 8:15 AM includes the login information of Nurse Mineta Reiko. The nurse call control unit 6 updates the nurse (terminal)/bed information to associate patient Aoki Daisuke, who is not included in the nurse/terminal information received at 8:00 AM, with Nurse Mineta Reiko, who is included in the nurse/terminal information received at 8:15 AM. The nurse call control unit 6 generates display data based on the updated nurse (terminal)/bed information and transmits this display data to the nurse call master unit 4.
In this way, if there is a patient named Daisuke Aoki who is not already associated with a logged-in nurse, the system can associate patient Daisuke Aoki with the newly logged-in nurse Reiko Mineta, thereby setting a caller for patient Daisuke Aoki and preventing any omissions in caller assignments.

[Example of operation 9]
Incidentally, some hospitals have a nursing system in place that involves teams of multiple nurses. If a patient makes a call from their nurse call device, but the nurse cannot respond immediately because they are attending to another patient, etc., having a system in place to call another nurse from the team would allow for a quicker response to the call.
Below, we will explain an example of how Nurse Call System 1 operates when calling other nurses in a nursing system consisting of multiple nurses, as Example 9.

A team of multiple nurses may be organized by the clinical department in which they work, by the building of the ward in which they work, or by work shifts such as day or night shifts. In this example, as shown in the nurse information in Figure 4(b) and the call information table 101 in Figure 7, multiple nurses working on the 3rd floor are designated as Nurse Team A-01, and multiple nurses working on the 5th floor are designated as Nurse Team C-01. Nurse Team A-01 includes Nurses Kana Murakami and Miyoko Ueda as currently logged-in nurses. Additionally, Nurse Kana Murakami's patients include Ichiro Suzuki and Taro Tanaka.

If, while Nurse Kana Murakami is responding to a call from Patient Taro Tanaka's Nurse Call Sub-unit 2, a call also comes in from Patient Ichiro Suzuki's Nurse Call Sub-unit 2, the Nurse Call Control Unit 6 receives the call operation information from Patient Ichiro Suzuki's Nurse Call Sub-unit 2. Based on the latest nurse/terminal information, the Nurse Call Control Unit 6 retrieves patient information corresponding to the received call operation information, specifically information on Ichiro Suzuki. It also retrieves information on Nurse Kana Murakami associated with the retrieved patient information for Ichiro Suzuki, and further retrieves team information for Team A-01, which includes Nurse Kana Murakami. Based on the call operation information from Patient Ichiro Suzuki's Nurse Call Sub-unit 2, the Nurse Call Control Unit 6 generates call data. The Nurse Call Control Unit 6 transmits the call data to the Nurse Call Master Unit 4 and also transmits the call data to all mobile terminals 5 included in Team A-01, which were acquired based on the latest nurse/terminal information.

Thus, in a nursing system where multiple nurses, including Kana Murakami and Miyoko Ueda, form Team A-01, all nurses belonging to Team A-01 are summoned via their mobile terminals 5 based on a call from patient Ichiro Suzuki. Even if assigned nurse Kana Murakami is unable to immediately respond to patient Ichiro Suzuki's nurse call, another nurse in the team, Miyoko Ueda, can quickly respond to the call.

The method for controlling the computer constituting the nurse call system 1, and the program for causing the control unit CPU 61 of the nurse call control unit 6 to execute each step, can also achieve the same effects as those in the above-described operation examples 2 to 9 of the nurse call system 1.

In the above-described embodiment, the nurse call device and nurse call system were explained in a case where a communication device 8 capable of wireless communication via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth was included, but the invention is not limited to this example. Instead of Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, various communication means capable of transmitting and receiving information between a mobile terminal and a nurse call control unit can be used.

In the above-described embodiment, the case where the first external device 9 and the second external device 10 constitute separate, independent systems from the nurse call system 1 was explained. However, the configurations of the first external device 9 and the second external device 10 are not limited to the examples described above. For example, the nurse call control unit may include a management server corresponding to the first external device 9, or the nurse call control unit may include an electronic medical record system corresponding to the second external device 10.

In the above-described embodiment, the case where the nurse call control unit 6 and the nurse call master unit 4 are separate components was explained. However, the configuration of the nurse call control unit is not limited to the example described above. For example, the nurse call master unit may include a control unit equivalent to the nurse call control unit.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be freely modified and improved as appropriate. Furthermore, the material, shape, dimensions, numerical values, form, number, and placement of each component in the embodiments described above are arbitrary and not limited, as long as they achieve the present invention.

1. Nurse call system, 2. Nurse call handset, 3. Corridor light, 4. Nurse call master unit, 5. Mobile terminal, 6. Nurse call control unit, 8. Communication device, 9. First external device, 10. Second external device, 15. Hub, 21. Plate handset, 22. Handset, 31. LCD display unit, 32. Indicator lamp, 41. Handset, 42. Small monitor, 43. Large monitor, 51. Display screen, 52. ID input area, 53. Login button, 62. Memory unit, 63. Control unit interface circuit, 65. Patient information table, 66. Information table, 66a. Nurse/terminal information table, 66b. Nurse (terminal)/bed information table, 66c. Work information table, 101. Call information table

Claims (9)

A nurse call handset is installed near the bed for the patient to call a nurse,
A nurse call master unit installed in the nurse station to notify and respond to calls from the aforementioned patients,
A portable device carried by the aforementioned nurse,
It comprises at least a control unit that controls the nurse call master unit,
The mobile terminal is configured to receive the nurse's input, thereby acquiring the nurse's login information, and to transmit the acquired login information and the mobile terminal's terminal identification information to the control unit.
The control unit is configured to display the nurse/terminal information on the display unit of the nurse call master unit in a nurse call system. The nurse call system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured to generate nurse/bed information indicating the correspondence between the nurse and a predetermined patient based on the login information, and to display the nurse/bed information on at least one of the display unit of the nurse call master unit and an external device. The nurse call master unit includes an operation input unit capable of inputting operations for updating the nurse/bed information, and a call response unit capable of responding to calls from the nurse call slave unit associated with the patient.
The nurse call system according to claim 2, wherein when a call is received from the nurse call sub-unit, the call response unit is configured to be operable with priority over receiving operation input from the operation input unit. The mobile terminal is configured to receive the nurse's operation input, acquire the nurse's logout information, and transmit the acquired logout information together with the terminal identification information to the control unit.
The nurse call system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the control unit is configured to call another mobile device other than the mobile device, which is included in the nurse/device information, when a call is made from the nurse call sub -unit of a predetermined patient corresponding to the mobile device associated with the logout information. The mobile terminal is configured to receive the nurse's operation input, acquire the nurse's logout information, and transmit the acquired logout information together with the terminal identification information to the control unit.
The nurse call system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the control unit is configured to call all of the mobile terminals included in the nurse/terminal information when a call is made from the nurse call sub -unit of a predetermined patient corresponding to the mobile terminal associated with the logout information. The nurse call system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the mobile terminal is configured to transmit to the control unit, in a single batch, the nurse/terminal information corresponding to its own terminal and the nurse/terminal information corresponding to other mobile terminals other than its own terminal. A nurse call handset is installed near the bed for the patient to call a nurse,
A nurse call master unit installed in the nurse station to notify and respond to calls from the aforementioned patients,
It comprises at least a control unit that controls the nurse call master unit,
The control unit,
By receiving operation input from the nurse on the mobile terminal carried by the nurse, the nurse/terminal information obtained is associated with the login information and the terminal identification information of the mobile terminal .
Based on the acquired nurse/terminal information, display data is generated.
The aforementioned display data is transmitted to the nurse call master unit.
A nurse call device configured to display the aforementioned display data on the display unit of the nurse call master unit. In a control method for controlling the computers that constitute a nurse call system,
The steps include obtaining the nurse's login information by receiving operation input from the nurse on a mobile terminal carried by the nurse,
A step of obtaining nurse/device information associated with the login information and the device identification information of the mobile device,
The steps include generating display data based on the aforementioned nurse/terminal information,
The steps include: transmitting the generated display data to the nurse call master unit;
A method comprising the step of displaying the aforementioned display data on the display unit of the nurse call master unit. A program executed in the control unit that constitutes the nurse call system,
The program is provided to the processor of the control unit.
The steps include: obtaining nurse/device information by receiving operation input from the nurse on a mobile device carried by the nurse , thereby associating the nurse's login information with the device identification information of the mobile device;
The steps include generating display data based on the aforementioned nurse/terminal information,
The steps include: transmitting the generated display data to the nurse call master unit;
The steps include displaying the aforementioned display data on the display unit of the nurse call master unit,
A program that executes something.