Medical timer/monitor and method of monitoring patient status

Abstract

A portable electronic device is disclosed for timing and monitoring patient sedentary inactivity. The device includes circuitry, a timer, an output device, and a patient reposition sensor. The timer is coupled with the circuitry and operative to measure an interval of time having a selected duration representative of sedentary positioning of a patient. The output device is coupled to the circuitry and operative to notify a health care provider of the need to perform a medical treatment upon completion of measurement of the interval of time. The patient position sensor is configured to detect a sedentary patient condition. The circuitry is operative to reinitialize the timer to begin timing the selected duration upon the sensor detecting interruption of the sedentary patient condition. Alternatively, a tactile input device can be provided to enable a caregiver to manually input the beginning of patient sedentary inactivity following repositioning of a patient. Further alternatively, output devices can comprise a nurse call station, a remotely positioned light, a light-emitting diode, a speaker or a documentation system. A method is also disclosed for implementing timing and monitoring of patient sedentary inactivity to determine repositioning requirements.