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What This Guide Helps With
Troubleshooting one motion section that will not move because of lockouts, controls, obstruction, loading, connections, positioning, or actuator-related faults.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting
1. Ensure Patient Safety and Maintain Required Positioning
Do not troubleshoot an unreliable articulation function while a patient depends on it for breathing, circulation, pressure management, procedures, or safe transfer.
Notify clinical staff and move the patient to another verified bed when the affected motion is clinically required. Keep hands and equipment away from articulation pinch points.
Expected outcome: Patient care continues without reliance on the failed motion section.
2. Confirm the Exact Motion Failure
Identify whether the head, knee, or foot section is affected.
Determine whether:
It will not move in either direction.
It moves in one direction only.
It moves from one control but not another.
A motor sound occurs without movement.
Motion is slow, intermittent, or stops under load.
Other bed motions operate normally.
Expected outcome: The failure is isolated to a specific section, direction, control path, or load condition.
3. Verify Bed Power
Confirm AC power and battery status.
Test whether the affected motion changes when the bed is connected to a verified outlet. Observe whether the display or controls reset during the motion command.
Expected outcome: Stable power is available. A general power problem is corrected before actuator troubleshooting continues.
4. Check the Relevant Motion Lockout
Inspect the caregiver controls for a lockout affecting the head, knee, foot, or patient controls.
Clear only an unintended user-accessible lockout after confirming with clinical staff.
Expected outcome: The affected motion is enabled. If motion returns, test both directions and all appropriate controls before stopping.
5. Compare Control Locations
Command the same motion from another available side rail, caregiver control, or pendant.
Expected outcome:
If one control works, the actuator and basic motion system are functional, and the problem is likely isolated to a control or external connection.
If no control works, continue evaluating obstruction, load, and actuator-related causes.
6. Inspect the Motion Path
Inspect above, below, and beside the affected section for:
Linens, tubing, straps, cables, or equipment trapped in the mechanism.
A mattress or accessory incorrectly positioned.
Furniture or wall contact.
Objects beneath the frame.
Accessories mounted in a way that restricts articulation.
Remove obstructions without reaching into unsupported moving components.
Expected outcome: The section has a clear path. If removing an obstruction restores motion, inspect for damage and repeat the test.
7. Reduce External Load
Remove nonessential equipment or accessories from the affected section.
Ensure that no person or object is resisting movement. Do not attempt to overcome resistance by repeatedly commanding the motor.
Expected outcome: The section moves normally when external loading is removed, or the failure persists and requires further evaluation.
8. Inspect Accessible Actuator Connections
With the bed removed from patient use, inspect externally accessible actuator cables and connectors for:
Loose or partially seated plugs.
Pinched, cut, stretched, or abraded wiring.
Cable routing through moving joints.
Fluid contamination.
Visible impact damage.
Reseat only accessible connections permitted by approved procedures. Do not disassemble the actuator.
Expected outcome: Accessible connections are secure and undamaged. If motion returns, cycle the section through its safe range and check for intermittent cable movement.
9. Observe the Actuator Response
Briefly command the affected motion while observing from a safe position.
Note:
No sound or response.
Clicking without motion.
Motor operation without frame movement.
Slow or uneven motion.
Movement in one direction only.
Grinding, popping, odor, heat, or visible structural deflection.
Stop immediately for abnormal sound, overheating, uncontrolled movement, or structural damage.
Expected outcome: The observation supports either successful external correction or removal from service for a service-level actuator or mechanical evaluation.
10. Compare With Other Motions
Verify whether other powered sections continue to operate normally.
This helps distinguish an isolated actuator or connection problem from a shared power, control, or lockout failure.
Expected outcome: The scope of the failure is confirmed and documented accurately.
11. Perform Final Functional Verification
After correction, test the affected section in both directions from all appropriate control locations.
Confirm smooth movement, proper stopping, secure cable routing, absence of abnormal noise, and correct lockout function.
Expected outcome: The section operates reliably throughout its intended range. Troubleshooting can stop.
12. Escalate an Unresolved Actuator Failure
Remove the bed from service if the section remains inoperative, moves intermittently, binds, drifts, makes abnormal sounds, or cannot be positioned safely.
Label the bed Out of Service and send it for bench evaluation.
Expected outcome: An unreliable articulation system is not used for patient care.
If the Problem Persists
Power, lockouts, control locations, obstructions, loading, and accessible connections have been evaluated. The remaining cause may involve the actuator, internal harness, control board, mounting hardware, linkage, or frame mechanics.
The bed should be removed from service, labeled Out of Service, and evaluated using appropriate Stryker documentation and approved test equipment. Repair or replacement should be completed only by qualified personnel. Verify the affected motion, all related controls, lockouts, and structural operation before return to service.
Knowing when to stop external troubleshooting and escalate is proper troubleshooting.
Clinical Use Tip
Do not place hands beneath an articulated bed section while commanding motion, even when the actuator appears inoperative.
Work Order Documentation (CCR Method)
CCR = Complaint, Cause, Resolution
Complaint
What was reported by the clinical staff.
Example:
"Nursing reported that the InTouch knee section would not move from either side-rail control."
Cause
What was observed during troubleshooting.
Example:
"Clinical Engineering found the accessible knee-actuator cable connector partially disengaged and strained by incorrect cable routing."
Resolution
What action was taken.
Example:
"Clinical Engineering reseated and rerouted the cable, then verified smooth knee-section movement in both directions from all applicable controls."
Helpful Details to Include (If Known)
- Section and direction affected.
- Control locations tested.
- AC and battery status.
- Lockout condition.
- Obstruction or load found.
- Cable and connector condition.
- Motor, clicking, grinding, or popping sounds.
- Whether other motions operated.
- Intermittent behavior during articulation.
- Final motion and lockout test results.
Final Thought
Protect the patient, isolate the affected motion, verify controls and the external movement path before assuming actuator failure, and escalate any binding, intermittent, or structurally unsafe condition.
That is successful troubleshooting.