Patient support apparatus with automatic exit detection modes of operation

A patient support apparatus comprising:

• a frame;
• a support surface supported by the frame and adapted to support a patient thereon;
• an exit detection system adapted to be armed and disarmed, the exit detection system further adapted to operate, when armed, in a first mode with a first sensitivity level or in a second mode with a second sensitivity level, wherein the exit detection system is adapted to issue an alert if movement of the patient beyond a first threshold occurs while operating in the first mode and to issue the alert if movement of the patient beyond a second threshold occurs while operating in the second mode;
• a control panel in communication with the exit detection system and adapted to allow a user to arm and disarm the exit detection system and to change the exit detection system from the first mode to the second mode, wherein the exit detection system is further adapted to, in response to the user activating a control to change from the first mode to the second mode, to operate in a transition mode during a transition period defined between a first moment when the user activates the control and a second moment when the exit detection system actually begins operating in the second mode or returns to operating in the first mode, wherein while the exit detection system is operating in the transition mode, the exit detection system is adapted to issue the alert if movement of the patient beyond a transition threshold occurs;
• and
• a motion sensor in communication with the exit detection system, wherein the motion sensor is adapted to detect movement of a component of the patient support apparatus, and wherein the exit detection system is further adapted to perform the following:
• (a) override its current mode of operation with a motion mode of operation when the component is moved, and to cease operating in the motion mode after the component has been moved;
• (b) not issue the alert when operating in the motion mode if movement of the patient beyond any of the first threshold, second threshold, or transition thresholds occurs;
• and (c) issue the alert in the motion mode only if the weight of the patient decreases by ten percent or more.