Posey 30-Day Chair Sensor User Manual

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FALL MANAGEMENT

Posey

®

Single Patient Use Chair Sensor Pad

Single Patient Use Chair Sensor Pad

Designed for chair use with Posey Fall Alarms ONLY!

REF

8309

REF

Single Patient Use Chair Sensor Pad (30-Day)

8309EL

Single Patient Use Chair Sensor Pad (Extended Cord, 30-Day)

Before You Begin

The Posey Sensor Pad, in conjunction with a Posey Alarm, is an
important part of your fall management protocols. Ensure all
parts of this system are operational before leaving a patient
unattended. This system does not prevent falls or injury from
falls and is not a substitute for patient care, caregiver rounding
and a comprehensive fall management protocol in your facility.

• This device may not be suitable for all high fall-risk patients.
See Posey catalog for other options for such patients.

• NEVER connect Posey sensor pads to other manufacturers’
alarms.

• NEVER connect Posey Alarms to other manufacturers’
sensor pads.

Steps to Apply Chair Sensor Pad

1. Check that sensor pad, cord and plug are clean and
undamaged. If you have a damaged sensor pad, cord or plug,
the sensor pad unit should be discarded and replaced.

2. Place sensor pad FLAT across width
of seat. Make sure sensor pad cord is
either to the back or side of seat.

NOTE: If a seat cushion is used,

place sensor pad ON TOP of
cushion.

3. Adjust so sensor pad is directly under

patient’s buttocks when seated.

• Sensor pad should be towards
FRONT of chair seat if patient
normally sits toward front.

• Sensor pad should be towards
BACK of chair seat if using a
posture support or if patient is at risk of forward sliding.

4. If needed, use an incontinence pad to protect sensor pad
from urine or other liquids. Sensor pad may fail if liquid
enters at “neck” of sensor pad.

5. Route the sensor pad cord to the alarm. Check that the
sensor pad cord has slack, is clear of moving parts of chair,
and does not pose a tripping hazard.

6. Insert plug into sensor input on the alarm.

7. Test sensor pad and alarm (see Testing Alarm and Chair

Sensor Pad).

8309, 8309EL

Testing Alarm and

Chair Sensor Pad

ALWAYS check sensor pads when
connecting them to a Posey alarm.
You can check a sensor pad by
attaching it to the sensor input on
the alarm, activating the alarm and
placing pressure on the sensor pad.
When the pressure is released, the

TESTING CHAIR SENSOR PAD

alarm should sound. Repeat this pressure/release test in
several different areas along the entire length of the sensor
pad to ensure entire sensor pad functions properly. If the alarm
and/or sensor pad do not function properly, remove the alarm
and sensor pad from service and replace them with a properly
functioning alarm and/or sensor pad. DO NOT use the alarm
or sensor pad if it does not activate each time weight is
removed from the sensor pad.

To reduce the risk of serious injury or death, ALWAYS follow
these steps after putting the sensor pad in place and before
leaving patient unattended (see instructions below). DO NOT
use any alarm or sensor pad that does not alarm each time it
is tested.

1. Make sure alarm is ON and in monitoring mode.

2. Check that the plug on the sensor pad cable is not damaged
(plug broken, or wires disconnected) and is securely
connected to the alarm.

3. Disconnecting the sensor pad from the alarm when the
power is on will cause the alarm to activate. This is called a
“failsafe” mode. Disconnect the sensor pad to make sure
the failsafe mode works. DO NOT use the alarm if the
alarm does not sound when the sensor pad is disconnected.

4. When connecting the alarm to the nurse call system, check
that the nurse call cable is securely connected to the alarm
and the nurse call panel. ALWAYS test alarm and nurse call
function if nurse call cable is plugged into the alarm and wall
jack. Activate the alarm (remove pressure from sensor pad)
and make sure the nurse call light for the proper room
activates in the appropriate nurse’s station location.
Remove the cable from the wall jack and make sure the visual
or audible alert at the nurse’s station immediately activates.

5. Inspect sensor pad cord and nurse call cable (if in use) to
ensure they are out of the footpath and DO NOT pose a
tripping hazard.

Posey Company • 5635 Peck Road, Arcadia, CA 91006-0020 USA • www.posey.com
Phone: [phone] or 1.626.443.3143 • Fax: [phone] or 1.626.443.5014

© 2013 Posey Company. All rights reserved.

M6218 REV C 111213

Posey

®

Single Patient Use Chair Sensor Pad (Cont.)

Tips to Protect Chair Sensor Pad from Damage

To avoid inconvenience to staff and patients, and to protect
sensor pads from damage, you should follow these steps:

• Only use Posey sensor pads with the Posey alarm.

• When routing sensor pad cord to alarm, check that there is
slack in the cord.

• NEVER jerk or pull on the cord to remove
plug. Doing so will damage cord wires or
plug.

• ALWAYS use the plastic tab to release
plug.

• Make sure sensor pad air intake (“neck”

of chair sensor pad) is clear and not
blocked. Air must flow freely in and
out of sensor pad for alarm to function.
Make sure liquid does not enter at
“neck” of sensor pad, as this will
damage sensor pad. If needed, use an
incontinence pad to protect sensor pad
from urine or other liquids.

• NEVER roll, fold or crease sensor pad. This will damage
sensor pad and may cause false alarm or no alarm.

• Make sure sensor pad lays FLAT on chair surface, directly
under patient’s weight, and that sensor pad cord is not
folded back under the sensor pad.

NECK

Plastic Tab

SENSOR PAD
CABLE

Posey Alarm and Use of Physical Restraints

The use of physical restraints should be a last resort, and only
after a full physical and mental assessment by the facility
healthcare team. If the patient’s Care Plan calls for the use of a
restraint, staff should read and follow all instructions and
warnings for the device you choose.

The position of the sensor pad is vital when using a restraint.
Make sure the restraint is applied correctly per instructions for
that device. Straps must NOT cross over sensor pad.

If straps cross over sensor pad and patient
moves, pressure from straps may prevent alarm from
activating. If patient falls out of chair or and is suspended in
the restraint, serious injury or death may occur from chest
compression or suffocation.

Use extreme caution with chair cushions. If a cushion
dislodges, straps may loosen and allow patient to slide off
seat and become suspended.

Cleaning

• Dampen (but DO NOT soak) a clean cloth with disinfectant.

Use extra care to clean sensor pad cord plugs.

• To reduce the risk of damage, NEVER use any cleaning

substance that contains Phenol; NEVER immerse in liquid; or
sterilize with heat.

• Use a clean, DRY cloth to dry all parts.

Storage

• Store sensor pad flat or hang in a dry, secure environment.

DO NOT roll, bend or fold sensor pads, as it may damage
internal electronic parts and cause a malfunction.

• This device is designed for use in normal indoor

environments.

• This device may be stored in ambient warehouse

temperatures at normal humidity levels (10 to 50%). Avoid
excess moisture or high humidity that may damage product
materials (greater than 90%).

Disposal

Dispose of per facility policy. Be sure to follow
all laws that apply.

Warranty

These products are warrantied for (30) days from date of first
use.

See Posey Catalog for Warranty details.

Posey Company • 5635 Peck Road, Arcadia, CA 91006-0020 USA • www.posey.com Phone: [phone] or 1.626.443.3143 • Fax: [phone] or 1.626.443.5014