Posey 30-Day Over Mattress Bed Sensor User Manual

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Sensor Pad
At Shoulder

Position

Sensor Pad

Under

Buttocks

MattressMattress

Support

Surface

A

B

FALL MANAGEMENT

Posey

®

Single Patient Use

Over-Mattress Sensor Pad

Single Patient Use Over-Mattress Sensor Pad

Designed for over-mattress use with Posey Fall Alarms ONLY!

REF

8283 Single Patient Use Over-Mattress Sensor Pad (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.

DO NOT use with memory foam or low air-loss

mattresses or overlays. A foam pad on top of the mattress
may diffuse patient weight and prevent sensor pad from activating.

• 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 Over-Mattress 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. Choose a position for sensor pad:

(A) Centered at patient’s shoulder blades; or
(B) Centered under patient’s buttocks.

3. Place non-slip Posey Grip on mattress at area chosen for
sensor pad. Place sensor pad over Posey Grip, across width of
bed.

4. Use metal clips to secure sensor pad to mattress.

5. Place bottom sheet over sensor pad.

6. 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.

7. Route the sensor pad cord to the alarm. Check that the
sensor pad cord is not stressed, is clear of moving parts of
bed, and does not pose a tripping hazard.

8. Insert plug into sensor input on the side of alarm.

9. Test sensor pad and alarm (see Testing Alarm and Sensor Pad)

8283

Testing Alarm and 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 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 both
with the bed in the flat position and the head and/or foot
articulated. 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 bed and room activate 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.

TESTING OVER­MATTRESS SENSOR PAD

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.

M6247 REV B 111213

Posey

®

Single Patient Use

Tips to Protect 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
no stress on 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 over-mattress 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.

FAILSAFE FEATURE

• 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 bed 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

Over-Mattress Sensor Pad

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

• ALWAYS use Hospital Bed Safety Workgroup (HBSW*)

compliant bed side rails. Use gap fillers to reduce the risk
that patient’s body or limbs may fit over, under, around,
through or between rails.

• Full compliant bed side rails must be UP when restraints

are used on a patient.

To reduce the risk of entrapment, use side rail covers,
especially with split side rails. A failure to do so may result
in serious injury or death if patient’s body goes under,
around, through or between the bed side rails.

(Cont.)

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; immerse in liquid; or sterilize
with heat.

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

Storage:

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

DO NOT roll, bend or fold sensor pads, as it may damage

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.

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:

This product is warrantied for thirty (30) days from date of first
use.

See Posey Catalog for Warranty details.

*http://www.fda.gov search keyword “HBSW”

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