According to a preferred embodiment, there is provided an electronic patient
monitor for use in reducing the risk of decubitus ulcers. The monitor utilizes
a separate sensor which senses the position of the patient in the bed or chair
for purposes of determining when the patient moves. Additionally, the monitor broadcasts
masking noise through its own, or through a remote, speaker, thereby enabling the
patient to rest more comfortably in a noisy institutional environment. If the patient
does not move on his or her own accord within a predetermined turn interval, the
masking sound broadcast will be terminated which will gently encourage the patient
to move. An alarm may additionally be sounded to notify the caregiver that the
patient needs to be manually turned to reduce the risk of decubitus ulcers.
