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What This Guide Helps With
Troubleshooting weak, uneven, noisy, or unreliable table lift, hydraulic, or Trendelenburg movement before escalating for repair.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting
Ensure Patient Safety First
Do not troubleshoot table movement with a patient on the table unless the issue is minor and movement is not required for immediate safety.
If movement is weak, uneven, jerky, noisy, or unpredictable during a case, notify clinical staff and support the patient according to OR protocol.
Expected outcome: Patient safety is protected before any troubleshooting begins.
If the table cannot move safely or predictably, remove it from service after the procedure or replace it before use.
Confirm the Reported Movement Issue
Ask clinical staff which movement is affected:
- Table lift up or down
- Trendelenburg
- Reverse Trendelenburg
- Lateral tilt, if applicable
- Intermittent movement
- Noise during movement
- Uneven or drifting movement
Operate the table only when safe and unloaded, if possible.
Expected outcome: The exact symptom is confirmed instead of treating the issue as a general table failure.
Check for Obstruction Around the Table
Inspect around the base, column, floor locks, traction attachments, leg spars, accessories, and nearby equipment.
Look for cables, foot pedals, arm boards, traction components, drapes, equipment carts, or floor debris interfering with motion.
Expected outcome: The table moves normally after the obstruction is removed.
If this resolves the issue, return the table to service after confirming full movement range.
Verify the Table Is on a Suitable Surface
Confirm the table is positioned on a stable, level floor and is not partially sitting on a floor seam, cable cover, mat, threshold, or debris.
Expected outcome: Table movement is smooth and balanced when the base is properly supported.
Why it matters: Uneven floor support can make movement appear weak, noisy, or uneven even when the hydraulic system is functioning.
Check Floor Lock or Brake Engagement
Confirm the table base is properly locked according to normal clinical use expectations.
A table that is not fully stabilized may shift, bind, or make unusual noise during lift or Trendelenburg movement.
Expected outcome: Movement improves once the table is fully stabilized.
If floor locks do not engage properly, remove the table from service.
Verify Power and Battery Condition
Confirm the table has adequate power or battery charge, depending on the configuration in use.
Check for low battery indicators, charger connection issues, missing power, damaged power cord, or a table that has been stored unplugged.
Expected outcome: Movement returns to normal after charging or restoring proper power.
Why it matters: Weak or slow movement can occur when available power is insufficient for motorized or hydraulic operation.
Inspect the Hand Control and Pendant Cable
Check the hand control for damaged buttons, cracked housing, stuck controls, liquid contamination, or a loose cable connection.
Operate the affected movement from the normal control device and compare with any alternate approved controls if available.
Expected outcome: The movement works normally with a known-good control or after reseating the connection.
If the table behaves differently with another control, the control device or connection should be evaluated.
Check for Accessory or Load-Related Binding
Inspect the Hana table attachments, traction boots, spars, perineal post area, leg supports, extension components, and orthopedic accessories.
Confirm accessories are installed correctly and not creating mechanical interference during table articulation.
Expected outcome: Movement becomes smooth after correcting accessory position or removing the interfering accessory.
Why it matters: Orthopedic table attachments can create binding that may be mistaken for hydraulic weakness.
Listen for Abnormal Hydraulic or Mechanical Noise
Operate the affected function briefly while unloaded and safe.
Listen for:
- Grinding
- Squealing
- Pump strain
- Clicking
- Chatter
- Air-like bubbling noise
- Sudden thumps or drops
Expected outcome: Normal table movement should be controlled and consistent without excessive noise.
If abnormal noise is present, stop testing and remove the table from service.
Inspect for Fluid Leakage
Check under and around the table base, column, hydraulic lift area, actuator areas, and nearby floor.
Look for oil, dampness, stains, residue, or fluid trails.
Expected outcome: No leakage is found.
If hydraulic fluid leakage is present or suspected, remove the table from service immediately and label it Out of Service.
Check for Drift or Failure to Hold Position
Raise the table or place it in the reported position only if safe and unloaded.
Observe whether it holds position or slowly lowers, tilts, or drifts.
Expected outcome: The table maintains position without drifting.
If the table drifts, sinks, or cannot hold Trendelenburg position, remove it from service.
Why it matters: Failure to hold position is a patient safety concern and may indicate hydraulic or mechanical failure.
Check Movement Through a Limited Safe Range
Operate the affected function through a short range first, then a fuller range only if the table moves smoothly.
Do not force movement if the table hesitates, binds, stalls, or makes worsening noise.
Expected outcome: Movement is smooth, even, and repeatable.
If movement is weak, uneven, jerky, noisy, or inconsistent after external checks, stop troubleshooting and escalate.
Perform a Final Operational Check
After correcting any external issue, verify the table can perform the affected movement repeatedly without unusual sound, drift, delay, or uneven motion.
Confirm the table is clean, dry, stable, and ready for clinical use.
Expected outcome: The table operates normally and can be returned to service.
If the issue returns during testing, remove the table from service.
If the Problem Persists
If power, controls, floor support, table locks, accessories, obstructions, and visible leaks have been ruled out, the issue is likely internal to the hydraulic, actuator, lift, Trendelenburg, or control system.
The device should be:
- Removed from service
- Labeled Out of Service
- Sent for repair or bench evaluation
Do not continue cycling the table if movement is noisy, uneven, weak, leaking, drifting, or unable to hold position. Knowing when to stop is proper troubleshooting.
Clinical Use Tip
Do not troubleshoot lift or Trendelenburg problems on an active patient unless clinical leadership determines it is necessary for immediate patient safety. If the table cannot move predictably, transfer the patient to another approved table before further use.
Work Order Documentation (CCR Method)
CCR = Complaint, Cause, Resolution
Complaint
What was reported by the clinical staff.
Example:
"OR staff reported the Hana Orthopedic Surgery Table had weak and noisy Trendelenburg movement during setup."
Cause
What was observed during troubleshooting.
Example:
"Found table movement remained uneven after checking power, hand control connection, floor lock engagement, accessories, and surrounding obstructions."
Resolution
What action was taken.
Example:
"Removed table from service, labeled Out of Service, documented suspected internal hydraulic or lift system fault, and escalated for repair evaluation."
Helpful Details to Include (If Known)
- Movement affected: lift, Trendelenburg, reverse Trendelenburg, or tilt
- Whether issue occurred loaded or unloaded
- Battery or power status
- Hand control condition
- Floor lock or brake behavior
- Accessory configuration installed
- Obstructions found or ruled out
- Noise type and when it occurred
- Any visible hydraulic fluid leakage
- Whether the table drifted or failed to hold position
- Final device status
Final Thought
Weak, uneven, or noisy table movement should be treated as a patient safety concern, especially on an orthopedic surgical table supporting positioning and traction workflows. Start with external checks, avoid forcing movement, and escalate when hydraulic or lift performance remains unreliable. Clear CCR documentation helps repair teams reproduce the issue and protects the clinical record.
That is successful troubleshooting.