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What This Guide Helps With
This guide addresses situations where the air mattress on a Hillrom Progressa hospital bed fails to inflate properly or triggers low/high pressure alarms. It focuses on simple, external checks—like power, connections, and mattress setup—before assuming internal pump or board failure. Safe troubleshooting ensures patient comfort and safety.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting
Verify Bed Power
- Ensure the bed is plugged into a functional outlet.
- Check the power switch on the bed’s control panel.
- Why: The mattress pump requires stable power; intermittent or no power prevents inflation.
Check Control Panel Settings
- Confirm the bed’s mode is set correctly (e.g., therapy mode vs. standard).
- Verify that the correct patient weight and pressure settings are selected.
- Why: Incorrect settings can prevent the pump from inflating or trigger alarms.
Inspect Mattress Connections
- Ensure all air hoses are securely connected to the mattress ports.
- Look for kinks, pinches, or obstructions in the tubing.
- Why: Even a small leak or disconnected tube can prevent proper inflation.
Examine Mattress for Leaks or Damage
- Visually inspect the mattress surface and seams for punctures or tears.
- Perform a gentle press on the mattress while listening for hissing sounds.
- Why: Leaks prevent the mattress from maintaining pressure and trigger alarms.
Check Pump and Hose Function
- Verify that the pump is running when inflation is initiated.
- Listen for abnormal sounds like grinding or irregular motor operation.
- Swap hoses with a known working mattress if available.
- Why: Ensures the pump is capable of delivering air and the hose is not faulty.
Reset the Bed System
- Power off the bed, wait 30–60 seconds, and power it back on.
- Why: Clears transient faults or software glitches in the control system.
If the Problem Persists
Common external causes (power, connections, leaks, settings) have been ruled out.
The mattress pump or internal control board may be faulty.
Action:
- Remove the bed from patient service.
- Label as Out of Service.
- Send for repair or bench evaluation.
Knowing when to escalate prevents patient harm and avoids unnecessary troubleshooting.
Clinical Use Tip
- Do not troubleshoot on an occupied patient.
- Move the patient to an alternative bed or surface before attempting mattress checks.
- Confirm patient safety first—pressure injuries can worsen if the mattress is deflated for long periods.
Work Order Documentation (CCR Method)
CCR = Complaint, Cause, Resolution
Complaint
What was reported by the clinical staff.
Example:
“Air mattress not inflating; low-pressure alarm displayed.”
Cause
What was observed during troubleshooting.
Example:
“Hose connections loose and kinked; no power interruption detected.”
Resolution
What action was taken.
Example:
“Reconnected and straightened hoses; verified bed powered on; mattress inflated properly; alarm cleared.”
Alternative CCR if issue persists:
Cause: “Pump unresponsive; mattress does not inflate after external checks.”
Resolution: “Bed removed from service, labeled Out of Service, sent to biomedical repair.”p>
Helpful Details to Include
- Outlet tested with a known device
- Bed power switch operational
- Mattress hose connections inspected
- Alarm codes observed
- Mattress surface condition
- Pump sounds or vibration
- Final device status (inflates/does not inflate)
Final Thought
Patient safety and comfort are paramount. Start with external, verifiable checks—power, settings, hoses, mattress integrity—before assuming internal failure. Document each step using the CCR method to provide a clear record for future reference and repair. Escalate promptly if external troubleshooting does not resolve the issue.
That is successful troubleshooting.