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Asset Type
Manufacturer
Model
Manual Reference
Hausted Horizon Series Stretchers Operating Manual, HP_462-INS-LAB-RevA21, covering 462APAST, 462CPAST, 462DPAST, 462EMCST, 462FMCST, 462GMCST, 462HMCST, and 462EMPST.
Manufacturer Recommendation / AEM Status
The manual requires cleaning after each use and, every 3 months, lubrication of moving/sliding parts and hinge points, inspection/tightening of fasteners, and inspection/correction of sharp or burred surfaces. Maintenance must be performed by qualified personnel.
The manual also states that a more detailed manufacturer preventive-maintenance program is required; apply that program and stricter facility/regulatory requirements when available. A different interval belongs under the facility's approved AEM program.
What This PM Procedure Covers
- Exact model suffix, rail style, ratings, load label, history, and configuration
- Mattress/pad, frame, surfaces, labels, fasteners, casters, bumpers, and accessories
- Four-wheel braking, steering lock or fifth wheel, and transport performance
- Hydraulic height, Trendelenburg/reverse Trendelenburg, Fowler, and knee-flex functions
- AirGlide, Retracto, or youth three-position rails and latches
- Quarterly lubrication, final restoration, disposition, and CMMS documentation
Required Tools and Equipment
- Current Hausted Horizon 462 operating manual and the detailed manufacturer PM program for the exact suffix when available
- Tape measure and calibrated angle gauge/digital inclinometer
- Correct wrenches and screwdrivers for fastener inspection
- Manufacturer-approved lubricating oil, light-duty grease, wax-stick lubricant, or Never-Seez lubricant as applicable
- Material-compatible cleaning/disinfection supplies and soft cloths
- Inspection light and approved touch-up materials when qualified surface correction is required
Step-by-Step PM Procedure
1. Verify Identity, Configuration, and Ratings
Action: Record asset tag, serial number, complete model suffix, department, rail style, width, installed options, and warning-label capacity. Identify AirGlide models 462APAST/462CPAST/462DPAST; Retracto models 462EMCST/462FMCST/462GMCST/462HMCST; or youth three-position model 462EMPST. Confirm the exact unit is hydraulic rather than an electric-powered Horizon variant.
Expected outcome: The stretcher matches CMMS, the correct hydraulic-series manual applies, and all configuration-specific checks and limits are identified.
2. Verify the Correct Load Rating
Action: Inspect the head- or foot-end maximum-weight label. Confirm 500 lb evenly distributed for 462APAST, 462CPAST, 462EMCST, 462GMCST, and 462EMPST; or 800 lb evenly distributed for 462DPAST, 462FMCST, and 462HMCST. If the label conflicts with the model or earlier-unit configuration, stop and obtain serial-specific manufacturer guidance.
Expected outcome: A legible, configuration-correct capacity label is present and no unverified load rating will be used.
3. Review History and Prepare Safely
Action: Review reported brake, steering, caster, hydraulic drift/leak, rail, latch, Fowler, knee-flex, accessory, or stability concerns and previous repairs. Remove the patient and clinical load, clear the movement area, secure loose accessories, and place the stretcher on a smooth level test floor.
Expected outcome: The stretcher is safely available for inspection and known defects are identified before functional testing.
4. Clean and Inspect the Mattress/Pad
Action: Clean the pad/mattress with the material-compatible product and manufacturer dilution. Use only medium-strength cleaners; do not steam clean or pressure wash. Inspect the cover, seams, core, retention, and contact surface for tears, punctures, fluid ingress, compression, contamination, looseness, or exposed material.
Expected outcome: The pad is clean, dry, intact, correctly retained, and suitable for patient contact.
5. Inspect Frame, Surfaces, Fasteners, and Labels
Action: Inspect the litter frame, base, welds, crossmembers, pivots, hinge points, hydraulic-mounting areas, rail mounts, accessory sockets, fasteners, labels, and guards. Check all nuts, bolts, and other fasteners for correct fit, position, and tightness. Identify sharp/burred areas, corrosion, cracks, bends, missing parts, or unauthorized modifications; only qualified personnel may dress and touch up a minor approved surface defect.
Expected outcome: Structure and surfaces are safe, hardware is complete and secure, labels are legible, and no defect compromises strength or operation.
6. Inspect Casters, Wheels, Bumpers, and Undercarriage
Action: Inspect all 8-inch casters, wheels, axles, swivel bearings, brake linkages, pedal linkages, optional fifth wheel, bumpers, and undercarriage. Remove wrapped debris where safe and roll/swivel each caster while unloaded.
Expected outcome: Components are secure and undamaged; wheels and swivels move smoothly without flat spots, excessive play, binding, or abnormal noise.
7. Verify Four-Wheel Braking
Action: From each accessible corner, press the red pedal to approximately 45 degrees. Attempt to rotate and swivel all four casters, then release using the green pedal to horizontal and verify free movement. Repeat sufficiently to confirm the central linkage responds from all four corners.
Expected outcome: One brake command locks rotation and swivel at all four casters; release restores free rolling/swiveling, with no weak corner or partial engagement.
8. Verify Steering Lock or Fifth Wheel
Action: On a smooth level floor, press the green pedal downward into steering mode. Verify the equipped system either locks one foot-end caster in non-swivel mode or lowers the center fifth wheel with firm floor contact. Push the unloaded stretcher straight and through turns, then press the red pedal to horizontal and verify the steering lock/fifth wheel releases.
Expected outcome: Steering mode engages and tracks predictably, then fully releases without drag, skew, intermittent contact, or linkage binding.
9. Verify Hydraulic Height and Stability
Action: Use smooth full strokes on each installed pump pedal to raise the litter and operate both release pedals together to lower it. Measure minimum and maximum height using the exact configuration: AirGlide 22-34.75 inches; Retracto 22.25-34.75 inches; youth 462EMPST 28.5-37 inches. Pause at intermediate height and observe for drift; inspect for hydraulic leakage. Do not stand on release pedals.
Expected outcome: Both sides pump and release smoothly, the litter remains level/stable, reaches the applicable height range, holds position without abnormal drift, and shows no fluid leak.
10. Verify Trendelenburg and Reverse Trendelenburg
Action: Raise the stretcher to maximum height. Operate the head-end release for Trendelenburg and foot-end release for reverse Trendelenburg while supporting safe motion. Measure the maximum angle: 16 degrees for adult AirGlide/Retracto models or 12 degrees for 462EMPST. Return to level and observe for drift.
Expected outcome: Both directions move smoothly to the applicable angle, hold securely, and return to level without binding, leak, or unintended movement.
11. Verify Fowler Backrest
Action: From both sides where controls are provided, support the Fowler frame, squeeze the gas-spring activating handle, and raise/lower the backrest through 0-90 degrees. Release at several angles and check holding. Never lubricate the gas-spring shaft.
Expected outcome: The backrest moves smoothly through its full range, can be controlled safely from the applicable sides, and holds every selected position without drift.
12. Verify Knee Flex When Equipped
Action: On 462CPAST/462DPAST or 462GMCST/462HMCST configurations, unfold and operate the crank clockwise to raise and counterclockwise to lower knee flex through 0-70 degrees. Check smooth travel, holding, crank condition, and proper stowage. Mark N/A for configurations without knee flex.
Expected outcome: Knee flex moves smoothly through the specified range, holds position, and the crank returns securely to its stored position.
13. Verify AirGlide Rails When Equipped
Action: On 462APAST/462CPAST/462DPAST, operate each AirGlide rail from fully down to full height and back down using both release tabs as applicable. Pull/test each rail after raising to confirm positive latching; inspect assist action, pivots, tubes, caps, and pinch-point clearances.
Expected outcome: Each AirGlide rail moves smoothly, remains controlled, locks securely at full height, releases normally, and has no damage or excessive play.
14. Verify Retracto or Youth Rails When Equipped
Action: On 462EMCST/462FMCST/462GMCST/462HMCST, verify each Retracto rail at full, half-height, and fully lowered positions. On 462EMPST, verify side/end rails at full and half height and fully down; confirm the trigger cannot be squeezed after the latch engages. Inspect spindles, triggers, latches, pivots, and pinch-point clearances.
Expected outcome: Every applicable rail moves in a controlled manner and locks positively in each designed position, with no missing spindle, latch failure, damage, or excessive play.
15. Inspect and Verify Installed Accessories
Action: Inspect all installed IV poles, oxygen-cylinder holders, push handles, head/foot boards, monitor shelves, armboard/surgical-bar adapters, stirrups, trays, X-ray holders, and accessory rails. Operate, deploy, lock, and stow each accessory according to its instructions; confirm tethered pins and retainers are present. Use only manufacturer-approved accessories.
Expected outcome: Accessories are complete, compatible, secure, undamaged, and function without interfering with rails, controls, transport, or patient space.
16. Perform Quarterly Lubrication
Action: Clean first. Lubricate all applicable moving/sliding parts and hinge points with the manual-approved lubricating oil, light-duty grease, wax-stick lubricant, or Never-Seez product. Wipe away excess. Never lubricate gas-spring, motor, or mech-lock shafts.
Expected outcome: All required quarterly points are lubricated without contaminating the mattress, floor, handles, brakes, or prohibited shafts.
17. Perform Final Transport and Functional Check
Action: Return the stretcher to level at a safe height, raise and latch all rails, stow accessories, release brakes, and move the unloaded stretcher through straight travel and turns. Reapply brakes, repeat key height/Fowler/rail checks, verify all warning labels and covers, and document measured limits, defects, corrective action, and disposition.
Expected outcome: The stretcher transports, steers, stops, positions, and locks normally and is either returned to service with complete records or clearly removed from service.
Electrical Safety Testing
The covered 462 models are hydraulic/manual stretchers and the cited manual provides no routine electrical-safety test. Mark electrical safety not applicable unless the exact asset has a powered accessory or has been identified as an electric-powered Horizon variant; in that case, stop and use the correct model-specific electrical PM procedure.
Pass / Fail Criteria
Pass
- Identity, hydraulic configuration, rail style, and suffix-specific 500 lb or 800 lb rating are confirmed
- Mattress, frame, surfaces, fasteners, labels, casters, bumpers, and undercarriage pass inspection
- Four-wheel braking works from all corners and steering lock/fifth wheel engages, tracks, and releases correctly
- Hydraulic height reaches its suffix-specific range, holds without abnormal drift, and has no leak
- Trendelenburg/reverse Trendelenburg, Fowler, and equipped knee flex reach the applicable angles and hold position
- All applicable rails latch securely in every designed position and accessories pass
- Quarterly lubrication is complete with prohibited shafts left dry
Remove From Service
- Model/load rating cannot be verified or the rating label conflicts with the configuration
- Structural damage, sharp/burred hazard, crack, bend, loose/missing fastener, fluid ingress, damaged pad, unreadable safety label, or unauthorized modification exists
- Any caster, brake, steering/fifth-wheel, hydraulic lift/release, Fowler, knee-flex, rail, latch, or accessory function fails
- The litter drifts, will not remain level, leaks hydraulic fluid, or does not reach the applicable motion limit
- A rail does not lock positively, or transport stability/control is unsafe
Copy/Paste CMMS Work Order Procedure
Follow the current Hausted manual and detailed manufacturer PM program for the exact suffix. This field guide does not replace OEM training, service documentation, or facility safety policy.