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Manual Reference
Hill-Rom CareAssist and CareAssist ES Bed Service Manual, Product No. P1170, MAN330 REV 4.
Manufacturer Recommendation / AEM Status
The manufacturer advises annual bed service. Batteries are replaced every 3 years and bed-exit tape switches every 5 years by facility-authorized maintenance personnel. The annual checklist covers overall condition, structure, welds, labels, hardware, headboard/footboard, AC cord, leakage current, pendant, columns, actuators, sleep deck, CPR, gas springs, articulation, battery, siderails, foot extension, pivot points, casters, fifth wheel, brakes/steering, accessories, and fitted scale, Bed Exit, SideCom, and SafeView features. The manual states that only facility-authorized personnel should service the bed.
Use the current serial- and configuration-specific service manual. If a facility performs this PM at a different interval or changes the listed activities, that should be handled under the facility’s approved AEM program, risk assessment, maintenance history, and applicable regulatory requirements.
What This PM Procedure Covers
- Annual visual, mechanical, functional, and electrical-safety inspection
- Three-year battery and five-year bed-exit tape-switch interval review
- Bed motion, CPR, controls, siderails, brakes, steering, and alarm checks
- Scale, Bed Exit, SideCom, SafeView, and fifth-wheel checks when fitted
Required Tools and Equipment
- Current CareAssist service manual and normal service hand tools
- Electrical safety/leakage-current analyzer
- T25 Torx screwdriver and 250 lb (113 kg) of weights in 25 lb (11 kg) increments when scale calibration is applicable
- Manufacturer-approved replacement parts and facility-approved cleaning supplies as needed
Step-by-Step PM Procedure
1. Verify Identity and Configuration
Action: Record asset number, CareAssist model, serial number, product number, revision, voltage, and fitted scale, Bed Exit, SideCom, SafeView, and fifth-wheel options.
Expected outcome: The correct requirements and manual apply.
2. Review History and Prepare the Bed
Action: Review prior failures and repairs. Remove the bed from clinical use, remove accessories/load as needed, unplug when directed, and follow facility infection-control and lockout practices.
Expected outcome: Known issues are addressed and service hazards controlled.
3. Inspect Overall Condition
Action: Inspect the bed structure, frame, base, welds, symmetry, corrosion, impact damage, paint, labels, and loose or missing hardware.
Expected outcome: The frame/base are not twisted and all safety-related components are intact and readable.
4. Inspect Headboard and Footboard
Action: Check condition, attachment, fit, and safe removal/reinstallation.
Expected outcome: Both boards are intact, secure, and safe.
5. Inspect the AC Power Cord and Plug
Action: Inspect the full cord, strain relief, and one-piece molded plug for cuts, cracking, loose blades, discoloration, overheating, arcing, or exposed conductors.
Expected outcome: No damage; replace a defective cord assembly.
6. Perform Leakage-Current Testing
Action: Connect the bed through the safety tester, confirm the bed is supplied by it, and measure without operating bed functions.
Expected outcome: Leakage current is less than 100 µA; investigate the cord and power supply if outside specification.
7. Inspect and Test the Patient Pendant
Action: Inspect the connector and cable, reconnect securely, and hold each button several seconds.
Expected outcome: Each button commands the correct function and motion remains continuous without intermittency.
8. Inspect and Test Hi-Low Columns
Action: Check column fasteners and retaining hardware, then fully raise and lower the bed. Verify the Bed Not Down indicator behavior.
Expected outcome: Smooth, quiet motion without friction or overload indication; indicator extinguishes in low position.
9. Inspect and Test the Head Section
Action: Inspect actuator pins and retaining clips, fully raise/lower the head section, and inspect the plastic sleep deck and drive system for binding or damage.
Expected outcome: Intact hardware and smooth, quiet motion.
10. Test CPR Releases and Gas Springs
Action: Inspect both CPR handles, cables, mechanism, screws, and gas-spring attachments/shafts. Test CPR from both sides and confirm the mechanism relocks with Head Up.
Expected outcome: Controlled lowering from high to intermediate and then low, no oil on shafts, and positive relock.
11. Inspect and Test Knee, Foot, and Automatic Contour
Action: Inspect actuator pins/retainers; fully exercise knee and foot sections. Confirm automatic contour raises the knee to mid-height with head elevation and lowers it as the head returns low.
Expected outcome: Correct coordinated motion without abnormal noise, friction, or overload.
12. Test Dining Chair and Trendelenburg Functions
Action: With functions unlocked, operate Dining Chair, return the deck flat, and test Trendelenburg and reverse Trendelenburg.
Expected outcome: All sections reach the commanded positions smoothly and quietly.
13. Check Battery Operation and Age
Action: Unplug the bed and operate all functions from caregiver controls. Inspect battery dates.
Expected outcome: Battery operation is normal; charge/replace as needed and replace batteries when over 3 years old.
14. Test Scale and Bed Exit, If Fitted
Action: Calibrate the scale using the exact manual procedure and listed weights. Function-test all Bed Exit modes/alarms and review the five-year tape-switch interval.
Expected outcome: Scale calibration completes, Bed Exit works properly, and due tape switches are replaced.
15. Inspect Siderails and Caregiver Controls
Action: Check head/foot siderails for bending or twisting, verify audible latch engagement, inspect covered fasteners and cable routing, and test caregiver controls.
Expected outcome: Siderails latch securely and cables/controls are undamaged and functional.
16. Inspect Foot Extension and Pivot Points
Action: Operate the foot extension through its positions and confirm locking when the lever is released. Exercise articulations and investigate noise; lubricate only as directed.
Expected outcome: Secure locking and quiet, unrestricted articulation.
17. Inspect Casters, Fifth Wheel, Brakes, and Steering
Action: Inspect tread/cuts/wear, confirm fifth-wheel motion if fitted, apply brakes and try to move the bed, then verify steering.
Expected outcome: Wheels are serviceable, brakes prevent movement, and steering works correctly.
18. Test Brake-Not-Set Alarm
Action: Connect AC power, place brakes in neutral, and confirm the alarm sounds; set the brakes and confirm it stops.
Expected outcome: Alarm behavior matches brake position.
19. Inspect Accessories and Optional Communication/Alerts
Action: Check fitted accessories. Inspect/test the SideCom junction box, features, cable, and connector pins and test SafeView alerts when fitted.
Expected outcome: Every installed feature is secure and functional.
20. Restore, Final-Test, and Document
Action: Correct defects with approved parts, restore covers/accessories, complete a final function/readiness check, label the bed, and document measurements, replacements, and disposition.
Expected outcome: The bed is complete and safe to return or clearly removed from service.
Electrical Safety Testing
Leakage Current
Touch/chassis leakage measured in microamps:
Manufacturer-listed limit: < 100 µA
Result =
Pass / Fail =
Ground Resistance
Ground resistance measured in ohms, expected ≤ 0.5 Ω or facility/NFPA 99 criteria if different.
Result =
Use the current service manual and facility procedure for tester configuration and any protective-earth criterion.
Pass / Fail Criteria
PM Pass Criteria
- Annual checklist is complete
- Structure, boards, cord, controls, motion, CPR, battery, siderails, foot extension, casters, brakes, steering, alarms, accessories, and fitted options pass
- Leakage current is below 100 µA
- Three- and five-year replacements are current
Remove From Service Criteria
- Structural/weld damage or unsafe board, siderail, caster, brake, or steering condition
- Damaged mains components or leakage current at or above 100 µA
- Failed CPR, essential bed motion, battery backup, or safety alarm
- Unresolved fitted-feature failure, overdue safety-related replacement, or incomplete authorized repair
Copy/Paste CMMS Work Order Procedure
Use the manufacturer service manual, facility policy, and approved AEM program to determine the final PM interval and return-to-service requirements.