On this page
Asset Type
Manufacturer
Model
What This Guide Helps With
Troubleshooting loss of bed height or articulation caused by power, lockouts, controls, connections, accessories, obstructions, or a service-level movement-system fault.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting
1. Protect the Patient and Maintain Continuity of Care
Do not troubleshoot unreliable bed movement while a patient depends on the bed for positioning, pressure management, respiratory support, transfers, or emergency care.
Notify the responsible clinical staff. Move the patient to another verified bed when movement is needed for safe care. If immediate transfer is not appropriate, maintain the bed in a safe position, prevent unnecessary movement commands, and provide staff assistance for repositioning.
Place the brakes, verify the bed is stable, lower the bed when safely possible, and keep the area clear before beginning technical checks.
Expected outcome: The patient is safely supported without depending on unreliable bed movement.
2. Confirm the Exact Reported Condition
Interview the reporting staff and reproduce the issue without a patient on the bed.
Determine whether:
The entire frame will not raise or lower.
The head section will not articulate.
The knee or foot section will not articulate.
One function is affected or all powered movement is unavailable.
Movement starts and stops, operates slowly, or works intermittently.
The issue occurs from one control location or every control location.
A message, indicator, alarm, unusual sound, odor, or heat is present.
Do not repeatedly operate a function that produces grinding, binding, overheating, or uncontrolled movement.
Expected outcome: The affected function, control location, and failure pattern are clearly identified.
3. Verify AC Power and Basic Bed Operation
Confirm the power cord is connected securely to the bed and to a verified receptacle.
Inspect the accessible power cord and plug for:
Cuts or crushed insulation
Bent or damaged blades
Loose strain relief
Heat damage
Evidence of fluid exposure
Test the receptacle using an approved outlet tester or known-good device according to facility practice. Confirm that normal bed power indicators and unrelated powered functions are present.
Expected outcome: The bed has verified AC power and no unsafe external power-cord condition.
If restoring a loose connection or correcting the receptacle restores all movement, complete functional verification and stop troubleshooting.
4. Check Battery Condition and Power-Source Behavior
Observe whether the issue occurs:
On AC power
On battery power
Immediately after disconnecting AC power
After the bed has remained unplugged
Reconnect the bed to verified AC power if the battery may be depleted. Observe available battery or charging indicators without assuming that battery operation will support every function under every condition.
If the bed loses movement only when unplugged, document the difference between AC and battery operation.
Expected outcome: The failure is separated from a discharged battery or power-source transition issue.
5. Verify Function Lockouts and Control Status
Inspect the caregiver controls for active function lockouts or restrictions.
Confirm that the affected movement has not been intentionally disabled. Check each relevant lockout individually rather than changing unrelated configuration.
Do not enter unauthorized service menus or alter protected configuration settings.
Expected outcome: The requested movement is enabled for normal operation.
If clearing an appropriate lockout restores movement, test the function from all intended controls and stop troubleshooting.
6. Compare Every Available Control Location
Test the affected movement from each available interface, such as:
Caregiver side rail controls
Opposite side rail controls
Patient controls
Patient pendant, when installed
Other approved external control interface fitted to the bed
Note whether the function fails everywhere or only from one interface.
Expected outcome: The problem is isolated either to a specific control interface or to the wider bed movement system.
If the function operates normally from other controls, stop treating the issue as a complete frame or actuator failure and continue with the affected control interface only.
7. Inspect the Patient Pendant and Accessible Control Connections
If a pendant is installed, inspect its housing, buttons, cable, strain relief, and accessible connector.
Look for:
Cracked or contaminated housing
Stuck or damaged buttons
Pinched or stretched cable
Loose connector
Bent or damaged accessible contacts
Evidence of fluid intrusion
Disconnect and reconnect only user-accessible connectors according to normal service practice. Do not force a connector or probe contacts with unapproved objects.
Expected outcome: The pendant and accessible control connections are secure and free of obvious external damage.
If reseating a loose connector restores operation, verify every pendant function and stop troubleshooting.
8. Remove External Mechanical Obstructions
Inspect the full movement path beneath and around the bed.
Check for:
Power cords or nurse call cables caught in the frame
IV tubing, drainage tubing, or monitoring leads under moving sections
Linens trapped near hinges or linkages
Overbed tables, lifts, wall equipment, or furniture contacting the bed
Accessories installed in a way that blocks articulation
Objects stored beneath the bed
Transport equipment interfering with frame movement
Do not place hands inside pinch points while another person operates the controls.
Expected outcome: The bed has a clear movement path with no external obstruction or accessory interference.
If removing the obstruction restores smooth movement, inspect for resulting damage, complete functional verification, and stop troubleshooting.
9. Inspect Accessible Cables, Harnesses, and External Damage
With the bed removed from patient use and positioned safely, inspect visible wiring and connectors without removing covers or performing deep disassembly.
Look for:
Pinched or severed cables
Harnesses pulled tight by articulation
Loose accessible connectors
Damaged side rail or pendant wiring
Fluid contamination
Impact damage to the frame
Bent external brackets or components
Do not attempt internal board-level repair or bypass a safety device.
Expected outcome: No accessible cable, connector, or structural damage explains the movement failure.
If an accessible connector is found loose and can be safely reseated, retest the affected function. Stop troubleshooting after successful full verification.
10. Observe the Response to a Movement Command
From a safe position, briefly command the affected movement and observe:
Whether a motor or actuator can be heard
Whether a click occurs without movement
Whether movement begins and immediately stops
Whether the frame twists, binds, or moves unevenly
Whether the control indicator changes
Whether power or other bed functions reset during the command
Stop immediately if there is binding, abnormal noise, overheating, smoke, odor, or uncontrolled movement.
Expected outcome: The observed response provides useful evidence without exceeding safe external troubleshooting limits.
11. Compare With a Known-Good External Accessory When Appropriate
If the failure is isolated to a removable pendant or another approved external accessory, test with a compatible known-good accessory when permitted by facility practice.
Do not substitute unverified accessories, defeat connector keying, or exchange parts between beds when compatibility is uncertain.
Expected outcome: A known-good comparison confirms or rules out the removable external accessory.
If the known-good accessory restores normal operation, replace or repair the failed accessory through the approved process, then complete final verification.
12. Perform Final Functional and Safety Verification
After any correction, test the bed unloaded through all normal powered movements.
Verify:
Frame raises and lowers smoothly
Head, knee, and foot sections articulate correctly
Controls respond from each intended interface
Lockouts prevent movement when activated and permit movement when cleared
Movement stops when the command is released
No unusual noise, binding, odor, heat, or cable tension is present
Brakes remain effective during stationary testing
Accessories and cables remain clear throughout movement
Return the bed to service only when the corrected function and related safety features operate consistently.
Expected outcome: All required bed movements operate safely and repeatably.
If all checks pass, troubleshooting is complete.
If the Problem Persists
Common external causes involving power, battery condition, control lockouts, removable controls, accessible connections, accessories, positioning, and mechanical obstruction have been ruled out.
The remaining fault may involve an internal actuator, position sensor, internal harness, power distribution circuit, movement-control module, or mechanical drive component. Do not identify a specific failed part without manufacturer-supported testing.
The bed should be:
Removed from service
Labeled Out of Service
Sent for repair or bench evaluation
Evaluated using appropriate Stryker documentation and approved test equipment
Repaired, adjusted, or configured only by qualified personnel
Complete all required functional, electrical-safety, alarm, lockout, and movement testing before returning the bed to clinical service.
Knowing when to stop external troubleshooting and escalate is proper troubleshooting.
Clinical Use Tip
Move the patient to another verified bed before troubleshooting any movement failure that affects positioning, transfer height, respiratory support, or pressure-management needs.
Work Order Documentation (CCR Method)
CCR = Complaint, Cause, Resolution
Complaint
What was reported by the clinical staff.
Example:
"Nursing reported that the ProCuity bed would not raise, lower, or articulate from either side rail control."
Cause
What was observed during troubleshooting.
Example:
"Clinical Engineering found the bed powered normally, but an accessory cable was trapped beneath the frame and physically restricted movement."
Resolution
What action was taken.
Example:
"The cable was safely rerouted, the frame and all articulation functions were tested through normal travel, and the bed passed final functional verification."
Helpful Details to Include (If Known)
- Exact movement functions affected
- Control locations tested
- AC and battery behavior
- Outlet test result
- Lockout status
- Pendant condition
- Accessible connector condition
- Obstructions or accessories found
- Motor, clicking, or binding sounds
- Unusual heat, odor, or damage
- Results before and after correction
- Final return-to-service status
Final Thought
Protect the patient first, define the exact movement failure, and verify power, controls, lockouts, connections, accessories, and clearances before suspecting an internal fault. Stop when safe external checks are exhausted, escalate appropriately, and document the verified complaint, cause, correction, and final testing.
That is successful troubleshooting.