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What This Guide Helps With
Troubleshoot incomplete Chair Egress movement or a foot section that will not retract, focusing on obstructions, positioning, controls, power, and mechanical interference.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting
1. Protect the Patient and Maintain Safe Bed Support
Do not troubleshoot unreliable bed movement while a patient depends on the bed for safe positioning, transfer, or fall prevention. If Chair Egress cannot complete safely, move the patient to another verified bed or use an approved alternate transfer method before troubleshooting.
Secure the bed, lower it to a safe working height when possible, and ensure the patient area is clear.
Expected outcome: The patient is safely supported on reliable equipment and the TotalCare bed can be evaluated without creating a fall, pinch, or movement hazard. If safe continuity of care cannot be maintained, remove the bed from service and stop troubleshooting.
2. Confirm the Exact Failure
Attempt Chair Egress operation only with the bed unloaded or under controlled service conditions. Determine whether:
- The sequence does not begin.
- The foot section begins moving but stops.
- The foot section does not retract at all.
- Another bed section moves while the foot section remains stationary.
- Movement stops only at a specific position.
Observe for audible alarms, indicator lights, displayed messages, or unusual mechanical sounds.
Expected outcome: The failure is reproducible and clearly identified as a foot-section or Chair Egress sequence problem. If the sequence completes normally during repeated controlled tests, troubleshooting can stop after final verification.
3. Check for Obstructions and Mechanical Interference
Inspect around and beneath the foot section for:
- Linens caught in moving structures.
- Mattress covers or straps interfering with articulation.
- Patient belongings.
- Cables or tubing routed through moving sections.
- Equipment mounted where it restricts travel.
- Objects beneath the bed.
- Bent or visibly damaged external components.
Remove any safe-to-remove obstruction and repeat the function test.
Expected outcome: The foot section has a clear travel path and no external item restricts retraction. If removing an obstruction restores normal Chair Egress operation, perform final functional verification and stop troubleshooting.
4. Verify Mattress and Foot-Section Positioning
Confirm the mattress is correctly seated and that removable or adjustable foot-area components are properly positioned. Inspect retainers and external interfaces for anything preventing the foot section from moving through its intended range.
Do not force a section that appears mechanically bound.
Expected outcome: Mattress and foot-area components are correctly positioned without binding. If repositioning restores normal movement, verify several controlled cycles and stop troubleshooting.
5. Verify AC Power and Bed Power Status
Confirm the bed is connected to a known-good approved outlet when AC operation is expected. Inspect the power cord and plug for visible damage and verify the bed powers normally.
If battery operation is involved, determine whether the behavior changes when connected to reliable AC power.
Expected outcome: Stable power is available and the failure is not caused by loss of AC supply or insufficient operating power. If connecting to reliable power restores full function, verify the bed before returning it to service.
6. Compare Available Controls
Test the applicable caregiver controls from another authorized control location on the bed. Determine whether Chair Egress or foot-section movement fails from all controls or only one control interface.
Do not enter unauthorized service menus or alter configuration settings simply to make the function operate.
Expected outcome: A comparison establishes whether the problem is isolated to one external control or affects the bed function globally. If another control operates the bed correctly and the defective control can be safely replaced using approved procedures, complete the repair and final verification.
7. Check Bed Position and Sequence Preconditions
Place the bed in an appropriate neutral or standard position using functioning controls, then retry the Chair Egress sequence. A partially completed prior movement, unusual articulation position, or conflicting commanded position may prevent the expected sequence.
Do not bypass safety interlocks.
Expected outcome: The bed is in a known, appropriate starting position and the Chair Egress sequence either operates normally or the failure remains reproducible. If normal operation is restored, complete multiple controlled tests and stop troubleshooting.
8. Inspect External Foot-Section Mechanisms
With power removed when appropriate for inspection, visually inspect accessible external linkages, pivots, covers, and mounting points associated with the foot section.
Look for:
- Loose hardware.
- Obvious deformation.
- Pinched wiring.
- Damaged covers contacting moving parts.
- Signs of impact or fluid intrusion.
Do not perform deep disassembly or internal actuator repair.
Expected outcome: No external mechanical damage or interference is present. Any visible damage affecting safe movement requires the bed to be removed from service.
9. Perform Final Functional Verification
After correcting an external cause, operate the bed through the applicable foot-section movements and Chair Egress sequence several times under controlled conditions.
Verify:
- Smooth movement.
- Complete retraction and extension as applicable.
- No abnormal noise or hesitation.
- Controls stop movement appropriately.
- No new alarms or warnings appear.
- Bed remains mechanically stable.
Expected outcome: Chair Egress completes normally and the foot section consistently moves through its intended range. If all functions are reliable, troubleshooting can stop and the bed may proceed through normal return-to-service requirements.
10. Escalate an Unresolved Failure
If power, obstructions, mattress position, control inputs, bed position, and accessible external mechanisms have been ruled out, stop external troubleshooting.
Expected outcome: The unresolved bed is removed from clinical use and routed for qualified service evaluation rather than repeatedly operated in an unreliable condition.
If the Problem Persists
Common external causes have been ruled out. The remaining problem may involve a foot-section drive component, position sensing, control circuitry, wiring, mechanical linkage, configuration, or another service-level condition.
The bed should be:
- Removed from service.
- Labeled Out of Service.
- Sent for repair or bench evaluation.
- Evaluated using appropriate Hillrom service documentation and approved test equipment.
- Repaired or configured only by qualified personnel.
After repair, complete all applicable functional and electrical safety testing before returning the bed to clinical use.
Knowing when to stop external troubleshooting and escalate an unreliable movement system is proper troubleshooting.
Clinical Use Tip
Do not allow a patient to enter or exit using Chair Egress if the sequence cannot complete predictably; transfer them using another verified method or bed.
Work Order Documentation (CCR Method)
CCR = Complaint, Cause, Resolution
Complaint
What was reported by the clinical staff.
Example:
"Nursing reported that Chair Egress started but the foot section stopped before fully retracting."
Cause
What was observed during troubleshooting.
Example:
"Clinical Engineering found bed linens trapped beneath the foot section and interfering with its travel."
Resolution
What action was taken.
Example:
"Removed the obstruction, repositioned the linens, and verified repeated Chair Egress and foot-section movement completed normally without alarms or binding."
Helpful Details to Include (If Known)
- Exact point where Chair Egress stopped.
- Whether the foot section moved at all.
- AC or battery operation.
- Outlet tested.
- Control location used.
- Visible alarms or messages.
- Mattress and linen positioning.
- External obstruction found.
- Unusual sound or binding.
- Results before and after correction.
- Final bed status.
Final Thought
Protect the patient first, then work from obvious external restrictions and power conditions toward controls and accessible mechanisms. Verify reliable operation before assuming internal failure, escalate unresolved movement faults appropriately, and document the complaint, cause, correction, and final test clearly.
That is successful troubleshooting.