Posey Sitter Elite User Manual
Sitter Elite
The Posey Sitter Elite Alarm is
an important part of your fall
management protocols.
Ensure all parts of this
system are operational
before leaving a patient
unattended.
8345,
8345AC
®
Magnet and cord available
upon request by contacting
Posey Customer Service at
1.800.447.6739
Before using the Posey Sitter Elite, read this
entire manual and save for future reference.
Instruction Manual
Table Of Contents
Before You Begin ...................................... 3
Features of the Sitter Elite
Each Sitter Elite is shipped to you with
Preparing the Sitter Elite for Use
Storing the Sitter Elite, Battery Instructions and Care
Setting Alarm Mode
Setting Alarm Tone
Adjusting Alarm Volume
Time Delay
To Record a Message
The HOLD Button
The SUSPEND Button
Connecting to AC Power (Optional)
Nurse Call Interface with Optional Cord
Mounting the Sitter Elite
Bed Mount
Wall Mount
Chair Mount
Choosing the Right Method for Patient Monitoring
Monitoring with a Sensor
Steps to Apply Over Mattress Sensor Pad
Steps to Apply Chair Sensor Pad
Monitoring in Optional Cord and Magnet Mode
Connecting Optional Magnet Cord to Patient
The Sitter Elite and Use of Physical Restraints
Warnings and Cautions
Sensor Not Functioning
Adapter Cable Replacement
Alarm Cleaning, Storage and Battery Maintenance
Troubleshooting Guide
System Components and Options
Product Specifications
Warranty and Repair Information
........................................... 13
............................................19
.......................................... 20
......................................... 21
.............................4-5
...................6
.......................7-8
......8
................................ 9-10
.................................... 11
.............................. 12
..................................14
.................................... 15
................................. 16
.....................17
................18
...............................19
..... 22
...........................22-24
...............25
.......................26
.........27
............28
...........29
.......................... 30-32
................................32
............................32
...... 33
..............................34-36
...................37-38
................................ 39
...................... 39
2 Sitter Elite
Before You Begin
The Posey Sitter Elite is an easy to use, restraint free addition to your fall management program.
The Sitter Elite provides an early warning when a patient attempts to rise from a bed, chair or
toilet. This system does not prevent falls or injury from falls and is not a substitute for patient
care, rounding and a comprehensive fall management protocol in your facility.
The Sitter Elite activates as the patient attempts to rise and removes pressure from the sensor
or disconnects the optional magnet. The Sitter Elite may be used with an optional cable to
connect to the nurse call system.
Indications for Use:
Persons who may benefit from the use of the Posey Sitter Elite include:
• Patients with diminished cognitive or mobility skills. For example, the frail, disabled, senile,
or those with neurologic deficits.
• Patients receiving medications that may cause disorientation, drowsiness, dizziness, or
f requent urination.
• Patients (new or existing) with a history of falls, or who are assessed to be at risk of falling
based on your selected fall-risk assessment.
• Patients who are restless or prone to get up in the middle of the night, e.g., due to
incontinence, or with nighttime voiding habits.
• Patients who require mandatory bed rest.
Contraindications:
NOTE: The Sitter Elite may not be suitable for all high fall-risk patients. See Posey catalog
for other options for such patients.
The Sitter Elite should NEVER be used as the only means of surveillance for:
• Agitated, combative or suicidal patients.
• Patients at extreme risk of a life-threatening fall (ex. patients with bone injuries or previous
hip fractures).
For these patients, Posey recommends use of the Sitter Elite along with a more intensive
fall management measure. See Posey catalog for options such as floor mats, and/or hip
protectors among other fall management products.
Response Policy:
Make sure your facility has a clearly defined policy for response to fall management and fall
alarms. This may include contacting the patient over the nurse call intercom system and telling
them to return to their bed or chair and waiting for assistance, and/or sending staff immediately
to the patient’s location for assistance. Be sure to place a flag or notification device on the
patient’s door, in their room, and next to the respective patient’s room light at the nurse’s station
to identify high fall risk patients and alert staff to respond quickly to fall alarm situations.
Facility fall management policy should address the frequency of visits by nursing staff to:
• Confirm patient is safe.
• Attend to patient needs for nutrition, toileting, exercise, and therapy.
• Check alarm function every time before leaving patient unattended (see pages 22-24).
If the alarm and/or sensor do not function properly, remove the alarm and sensor from service and
replace them with a properly functioning alarm and/or sensor. DO NOT use the alarm, sensor or
magnet if it does not activate each time weight is removed from the sensor, the chair belt sensor is
unfastened, or magnet is removed from face plate (see pages 22-24).
Sitter Elite 3
Features of the Sitter Elite and the Sitter Elite AC
System
HOLD/SUSPEND
MODE
LED
MICROPHONE
MIC
MAGNET
PLATE
AC POWER
ADAPTER
OUTLET
NURSE
CALL
OUTLET
SENSOR
OUTLET
FRONT VIEW
HOLD/SUSPEND
Rear View (Open Battery Door)
ON
OFF
®
Sitter
RIGHT SIDE VIEW LEFT SIDE VIEW
SENSOR
NURSE
CALL
™
COMPARTMENT
9V
0
1
2
DELAY
MODE
TONE
TONE
VOLUME
RECORD
ON/OFF
SWITCH
BATTERY
4 Sitter Elite
Features of the Sitter Elite and the Sitter Elite AC
System
• Five alarm tones. There are five different alarm tone options which can be used in different
patient rooms, or to discern between different caregivers or levels of fall risk for easy
patient identification.
• Four alarm modes. Four alarm modes allow for facility or alarm choices regarding caregiver
notification in the event the alarm is triggered. The alarm modes are “Voice and Tone”, “Tone
Only”, “Voice Only” and “Mute”.
• Three alarm volumes. Three alarm volume settings allow for facility or alarm choices
regarding caregiver notification in the event the alarm is triggered. The volume options are
low, medium and high.
• Voice feature. Allows a family member, friend or caregiver to record a personal message
that will sound if pressure is removed from the sensor pad, chair belt sensor is unfastened,
or the magnet is removed and the alarm mode is set to “Voice” or “Voice and Tone”. This
feature can provide patient communication in their language, or by a caregiver or family
member for familiarity.
• HOLD/SUSPEND Button. Allows you to remove a patient from a bed or chair without
the need to turn off the alarm (e.g., for therapy, toileting or socializing). Alarm will resume
monitoring when patient returns to the bed or chair.
• Optional alarm delay of 0, 1, or 2 seconds. Allows you to adjust alarm timing for each
patient. The delay allows you to determine, by alarm, the number of seconds between the
time pressure is removed from the sensor, chair belt sensor is unfastened, and the time the
alarm activates.
• Sensor monitoring. This alarm connects to any Posey sensor pad, including chair, toilet,
above bed mattress and chair belt sensor. Bed sensor pads work with most institutional
mattress styles and mattress overlays. Alarm activates when weight is removed from sensor
pad, chair belt sensor is unfastened.
• Optional Cord & Magnet monitoring. Alarm activates when magnet is removed. Magnet
pull cord adjusts to range of mobility and “safety zone” best suited for each patient.
• Nurse Call Interface. Provides dual alarm notice at patient’s room and nursing station.
Provides the ability to mute the alarming function at the patient’s bedside and just alarm at
any nurse call system notification points.
Note: Order Cat. 8282 (Nurse Call Cable) for nurse call interface.
• Failsafe sensor alarm. The Posey Sitter Elite activates if the alarm is on and a sensor cord
is removed from the alarm. The failsafe will not function if the magnet is attached to the
magnet plate.
• Battery operated. The alarm utilizes four (4) “AA” alkaline batteries. There are no
complicated cords or risk of power shortages or shock.
• Audible low battery warning. Alarm “chirps” about every 15 seconds when batteries need
changing. This sound is different than any of the alarm tones and easily alerts caregivers of
the need to change batteries.
• DC Jack. For AC power connection.
• AC Adapter. The Sitter Elite 8345AC enables user to operate on AC electrical power. The AC
adapter is part of the 8345AC.
• Impact resistant cover. Helps minimize damage if dropped.
another manufacturers’ sensors may damage the Posey alarm, cause the fall monitoring
system not to function as intended, and will void the factory warranty.
(Continued)
NEVER connect other manufacturers’ sensors to a Posey alarm. Use of
Sitter Elite 5
Each Sitter Elite is shipped to you with:
• Alarm (1)
• “AA” Alkaline Batteries (4)
• Standard Bed Bracket (Cat. 8276) (1)
• Wall/Chair Bracket without wire clip (Cat. 8276) (1)
• “Hook” and “Loop” Adhesive Strip (Attach bracket to wheelchair)
NOTE: If you require the ability to run on AC power, order 8345AC.
6 Sitter Elite
ON
OFF
AA SIZE
OFF
PRESS
AA SIZE
AA SIZE
OFF
ON
ANSI-15A IEC-LR6
Qty 4AA Alkaline
DELAY
MODE
TONE
VOLUM
RECOR
Preparing the Sitter Elite for Use
Battery Installation:
The battery-operated Sitter Elite is portable and long lasting. Fresh
alkaline batteries have an estimated life of 30 days of daily use.
Actual life depends on alarm mode, tone and volume you select.
Alarm will “chirp” about every 15 seconds when new batteries are
needed. Change batteries at once.
1. Slide the power switch to the OFF position before inserting/
changing batteries (fig. 1).
2. Press down on the arrow and
slide the battery compartment
door completely off (fig. 2). Set
battery door aside.
3. Insert four (4) new “AA” alkaline
batteries as pictured inside the
battery compartment (fig. 3).
Take care not to damage battery
contacts.
Fig. 2
4. Reattach the battery compartment door. Slide it shut, locking it into place.
• Take care when installing new batteries. The alarm will not work if batteries are
installed improperly.
• ALWAYS install a completely new set of batteries when the chirping due to low battery
power sound begins. DO NOT replace a single cell, but all cells in the alarm. DO NOT
mix old and new batteries, or battery brands within a battery pack (4 batteries). Use of
mixed batteries or batteries installed incorrectly may cause battery damage, and may
damage the alarm. Remove any alarm from use and send to the appropriate facility
authority if batteries are damaged or corroded or the battery compartment has signs of
previous battery corrosion such as white powder residue.
• Batteries can explode or leak and cause damage to alarm if installed incorrectly, fully
discharged, or exposed to liquid, fire or high temperatures. If battery damage has
occurred, or you see any corrosion, remove the alarm from use IMMEDIATELY. DO NOT
use the alarm if battery damage has been detected.
• After changing batteries, test the alarm and sensor for proper operation prior to putting
in service with a patient, and each time before leaving the patient unattended. If the
alarm and/or sensor do not function properly, remove the alarm and sensor from service
and replace them with a properly functioning alarm and/or sensor (see pages 22-24).
NOTE: If alarm loses power for more than four (4) minutes, all settings, including custom-
recorded voice message, will revert to factory default. If power is lost for less than four (4)
minutes, custom settings are preserved.
Sitter Elite 7
Fig. 1
Fig. 3
Preparing the Sitter Elite for Use (Continued)
Storing Your Sitter Elite:
If you are storing the Sitter Elite for an extended period of time, you should turn the alarm off
and remove the batteries (see page 7). Batteries start to corrode after an extended period of
time (just like a flashlight). Corroded batteries will damage the alarm and may cause it not to
function, or to function intermittently (see page 34).
ALWAYS close the battery door during storage to prevent damage.
NOTE: After four (4) minutes without battery power, all settings will revert to factory
default.
Store the alarm in a secure place so it will not be dropped or damaged. DO NOT use if;
battery door is missing; battery door is damaged; alarm case is damaged; or alarm case is
cracked.
the alarm from use and notify the appropriate facility authority. The alarm should be
disposed of according to your facility disposal requirements. DO NOT use the alarm and
DO NOT attempt to clean it if there are any signs of battery leakage such as corrosion,
rust or white powder residue.
immediately when hearing the low battery “chirp.” Depleted batteries may leak and
corrode, causing damage to the electronics and reliability. When storing the alarm for a
short period with power “on” to maintain custom voice messages and settings, check the
alarm every week to make sure the batteries are still operable and the alarm is still on. If
the alarm low battery alert is chirping, or the alarm does not power up, the batteries are
depleted and must be removed. DO NOT leave depleted (“dead”) batteries in the alarm to
avoid corrosion.
Remove batteries when storing the alarm for an extended period to prevent depleting the
batteries and potential corrosion.
severe shock, such as being dropped, or immersed in liquid. To reduce the risk of serious injury
or death, test the alarm and sensor for proper operation prior to putting in service with a
patient, and each time before leaving the patient unattended. If the alarm and/or sensor
do not function properly, remove the alarm and sensor from service and replace them
with a properly functioning alarm and/or sensor. DO NOT use the alarm, sensor or magnet
if it does not activate each time weight is removed from the sensor, the chair belt sensor is
unfastened, or magnet is removed from face plate (see pages 22-24).
Battery Leakage. If there is ANY evidence of battery leakage, remove
DO NOT allow batteries to deplete while in the alarm. Change batteries
The Posey Sitter Elite is an electronic device. It may fail to work if subjected to
8 Sitter Elite
TONE
TONE
0
1
2
Setting Alarm Mode
The Sitter Elite has four (4) alarm modes. These allow you to select an alarm signal best suited
to patient and facility needs. The LED blinks green above the mode that the alarm is set to
when the alarm is on (fig. 6, page 10). The LED above the MUTE indicator blinks yellow when
the alarm is on and in “Mute” mode (fig. 6, page 10).
Mode Features:
VOICE & TONE: Depending on whether a custom voice recording is made, either the factory
default voice or a custom voice recorded message plays once, followed by
the selected alarm tone. The tone continues to play until alarm is placed on
hold or patient is repositioned with the magnet or sensor.
TONE: This is the factory default mode. Selected alarm tone plays until alarm is
placed on hold or patient is repositioned with the magnet or sensor.
VOICE ONLY: (This mode requires the nurse call cable to be plugged into your alarm and
the appropriate wall jack from your nurse call system). Custom voice or
factory default voice message plays repeatedly until alarm is placed on
hold or patient is repositioned with the magnet or sensor. This mode also
activates the facility nurse call system. Automatically switches to VOICE &
TONE if a nurse call cable is removed from the alarm (see page 18).
MUTE: (This mode requires the nurse call cable to be plugged into your alarm
and the appropriate wall jack from your nurse call system). There is no
audible voice message or alarm tone at the patient’s bedside. This mode
activates the facility nurse call system. Automatically switches to VOICE &
TONE if the nurse call cable is removed from the alarm (see page 18).
both the alarm and the wall jack before leaving the patient unattended. Verify that an
alert is received at the nursing station if the cable is unplugged from the wall jack.
NOTE: There will be no alert at the nursing station or at the bedside if the nurse call cable
is unplugged from the alarm.
When using a nurse call cable, ensure the nurse call cable is plugged in to
To Change/Select Mode:
NOTE: “Voice Only” and “Mute” can be set only
when the nurse call cable is plugged into your alarm.
With this feature, all mode options are available.
Be sure to plug the nurse call cable into wall and
test. You MUST plug the nurse call cable into the
alarm AND the wall jack in order to activate nursing
station alerts.
Follow these steps to change or select alarm mode:
1. Lift the programming control protective cover
(fig. 4).
2. Ensure alarm is on and either sensor pad, chair
belt sensor, or magnet is attached to alarm.
Ensure pressure is on sensor pad, chair belt sensor
is connected, or magnet is on face plate.
3. Press MODE button on left side of alarm to scroll
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
through the mode selections (fig. 5).
Sitter Elite 9
HOLD/SUS PEND
®
Setting Alarm Mode (Continued)
4. LED light blinks green to indicate selected mode is in
use (fig. 6). LED blinks yellow if the alarm mode is set to
“Mute” (fig. 6).
5. If alarm is set to “Voice Only” or “Voice and Tone” mode
and custom recorded message does not play, re-record
message. If this does not work, remove batteries for at
least 1 hour to reset alarm to factory default. You can
then re-record the message.
The last option selected is the mode utilized when the
sensor is activated or magnet is removed from the face
plate, depending on which monitoring mode is selected.
6. If you are using the nurse call cable, check to make sure
it is plugged into the correct wall jack and the alarm.
Make sure the mode you select alerts at the nurse’s
station when the alarm is activated.
7. When “Voice Only” or “Mute” are selected, you must have the nurse call cable plugged
into your alarm and the appropriate wall jack for your nurse call system. Ensure that the
nurse call system indicators (nursing station and wall light) are activated when the cable is
unplugged from the wall jack.
8. Replace the programming control protective cover, securing it into place.
To test the modes requiring nurse call interface, remove pressure from the sensor, unfasten the
chair belt sensor, or remove the magnet from the face plate. Check at the nurse’s station to ensure
that the indicator for the appropriate patient alarms on the nurse call system and the wall light,
indicating there is no pressure on the sensor, chair belt sensor is unfastened, or the magnet has
been removed from the face plate.
Fig. 6
MODE
LED
10 Sitter Elite
HOLD/SUS PEND
®
TONE
TONE
0
1
2
Setting Alarm Tone
The Sitter Elite has five (5) available tones. This allows you to differentiate between patients
and other equipment alarms.
To Select Tone:
1. Lift the programming control
protective cover (fig. 7).
2. Ensure alarm is on and either sensor
pad, chair belt sensor, or magnet is
attached to alarm. Ensure pressure
is on sensor pad, chair belt sensor
is connected, or magnet is on face
plate (green LED flashes above mode
selection, yellow LED flashes if mode
is set to “Mute” (fig. 9).
3. Alarm mode must be set to either
“Voice and Tone” or “Tone” (see pages
9-10) in order to hear the selection.
4. Press TONE button on left side of
alarm to scroll through the tone
selections (fig. 8).
5. Each time you press the button, tone
will change and a two (2) second
sample plays. The last sample heard
is the tone utilized for the alarm when
the sensor is activated or the magnet is removed
from the face plate, depending on which monitoring
mode is selected.
6. Replace the programming control protective cover,
securing it into place.
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
MODE
LED
Sitter Elite 11
Fig. 9
TONE
TONE
0
1
2
Adjusting Alarm Volume
There are three (3) alarm volume settings: low, medium and high. These allow you to select the
right volume for facility and/or patient needs.
All volume settings are within OSHA standards. For maximum staff alert in noisy areas, use
HIGHEST (loudest) volume setting.
distance before leaving patient unattended.
cause hearing loss or other injury. For more information, see: OSHA OCCUPATIONAL
NOISE EXPOSURE STANDARDS 1910.95.
To Change Volume:
1. Lift the programming control protective cover (fig. 10).
2. Ensure alarm is on and either sensor pad, chair belt sensor, or magnet is attached to alarm.
Ensure pressure is on sensor pad, chair belt sensor is connected, or magnet is on face plate.
3. Alarm mode must be set to either “Voice and Tone” or “Tone” (see pages 9-10) in order to
hear the selection.
4. Press VOLUME button on left side of alarm to scroll through the volume selections (fig. 11).
5. Each time you press the button, the volume changes and a two (2) second sample plays.
6. Continue to press the VOLUME button until you hear the desired volume. The last sample
heard is the volume in use.
7. Replace the programming control protective cover, securing it into place.
ALWAYS check to ensure staff can hear alarm at the furthest possible
NEVER place alarm closer than two feet from patient’s ear. Doing so may
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
12 Sitter Elite
Loading...