Location detection system for a patient handling device

A location detection system for a facility including a patient handling device for supporting a patient and being mobile for positioning at a location in the facility, a locator fixed relative to the patient handling device for transmitting a unique location identifier corresponding to the location of the patient handling device, and a processing station remote from the patient handling device and the locator for receiving the unique location identifier such that the location of the patient handling device can be determined and monitored remotely from the patient handling device. The system further includes a receiver mounted to the patient handling device for receiving the unique location identifier from the locator and a communication module with a unique ID for the patient handling device mounted to the patient handling device and in communication with the receiver and transmitting the unique ID and the unique location identifier received by the receiver from the patient handling device to the processing station such that the patient handling device acts as a communication link between the locator and the processing station, and the processing station receiving the unique location identifier and the unique ID and correlating the unique location identifier with the unique ID and further correlating the unique ID of the patient handling device with a patient supported by the patient handling device wherein the processing station can track the patient handling device and the patient supported thereby.