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Asset Type
Manufacturer
Model
What This Guide Helps With
Chair slowly lowers, tilts, or fails to hold position due to control, loading, or external mechanical/electrical issues.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting
Ensure Patient Safety First
- Remove the chair from active patient use before troubleshooting.
- Expected: Patient safely relocated.
- Why it matters: Uncontrolled movement can lead to patient injury.
Verify the Reported Issue
- Operate all chair functions (hi-lo, tilt, back, leg) and observe for drifting after stopping movement.
- Expected: Drift occurs in a specific section or overall.
- Why it matters: Identifies whether the issue is isolated or system-wide.
Check for Overloading or Uneven Weight Distribution
- Confirm patient weight is within rated limits and centered properly on the chair.
- Expected: Weight evenly distributed within limits.
- Why it matters: Overloading or uneven load can cause actuators to back-drive or fail to hold.
- If overloaded → correct and retest.
Inspect Hand and Foot Controls
- Check for stuck buttons or continuous activation (especially on foot controls).
- Expected: No buttons stuck or unintentionally pressed.
- Why it matters: A stuck control can simulate continuous movement, causing drift.
- If stuck → clean, reposition, or replace control and retest.
Check Control Cable Connections
- Inspect connections for hand and foot controls at the chair base. Ensure they are fully seated and undamaged.
- Expected: Secure, intact connections.
- Why it matters: Intermittent signals can cause unintended actuator movement.
- If loose/damaged → reseat or replace and retest.
Inspect Chair for External Mechanical Issues
- Look for loose bolts, worn pivot points, or misalignment in moving sections.
- Expected: All joints tight and aligned.
- Why it matters: Mechanical looseness can mimic actuator drift or allow movement after positioning.
- If loose → tighten hardware and retest.
Cycle the Chair Through Full Range of Motion
- Run all movements fully up/down and back/forth several times.
- Expected: Smooth operation with consistent stopping points.
- Why it matters: Helps reset positioning and identify inconsistent actuator behavior.
- If drift resolves → monitor for recurrence.
Check Power Stability
- Ensure the chair is plugged into a reliable outlet with no intermittent power loss.
- Expected: Stable power supply.
- Why it matters: Voltage instability can affect actuator holding performance.
- If unstable → correct power source and retest.
If the Problem Persists
If all external causes have been ruled out, the issue is likely due to internal actuator failure or control system malfunction.
Remove the chair from service, label it Out of Service, and send for repair or bench evaluation.
Knowing when to stop prevents unnecessary risk and protects patient safety.
Clinical Use Tip
Do not troubleshoot drifting or positioning issues with a patient in the chair. Always transfer the patient before testing movement functions.
Work Order Documentation (CCR Method)
CCR = Complaint, Cause, Resolution
Complaint
What was reported by the clinical staff.
Example:
"Chair drifting down after positioning during patient setup."
Cause
What was observed during troubleshooting.
Example:
"No external issues found; likely internal actuator unable to hold position."
Resolution
What action was taken.
Example:
"Removed from service and sent to vendor for actuator evaluation."
Helpful Details to Include (If Known)
- Functions affected (hi-lo, tilt, back, leg)
- Any stuck or unresponsive controls
- Load conditions at time of issue
- Presence of unusual noise during drift
- Power source verified
- Final device status (removed from service or operational)
Final Thought
Drifting issues often point toward actuator or control failures, but external factors like controls, load, and connections must be ruled out first. A structured approach ensures patient safety, avoids unnecessary repairs, and supports accurate documentation.
That is successful troubleshooting.