Bed status information system for hospital beds

An apparatus configured to control at least one function of a bed located in a room from a remote location outside of the room, the apparatus comprising:

• a controller configured to control the at least one bed function;
• an input device located at the remote location, the input device being configured to generate a message signal to control the at least one bed function;
• and
• means for coupling the input device to the controller to transmit the message signal from the input device to the controller to control the at least one bed function from the remote location.

A bed control and status monitoring apparatus comprising:

• a controller configured to control at least one bed function of a bed;
• a status signal generator configured to monitor at least one condition of the bed and to generate a status signal indicative of a status of the monitored condition;
• a processing station located at a remote location from the bed, the processing station being coupled to the status signal generator to receive the status signal;
• and
• an input device located at a remote location from the bed, the input device being configured to generate a message signal to control the at least one bed function, the message signal being transmitted from the input device to the controller to control the at least one bed function from the remote location.