Posey Stretcher Sensor Pad User Manual



Sensor Pad

Under

Buttocks

Side
Rails

Mattress

Stretcher Frame

A

FALL MANAGEMENT

Posey

®

Stretcher Sensor Pad

Stretcher Sensor Pad (Up to 15 Days of use)

Designed for stretcher use with Posey Fall Alarms ONLY!

REF

8316 Stretcher Sensor Pad (Up to 15 Days of use)

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 attention
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 Stretcher Sensor Pad

1. Check that sensor pad, cord and plug are clean and

undamaged.

2. Place sensor pad 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 stretcher.

4. Place bottom sheet over sensor pad. (See illustration

5. Route the sensor pad cord to the alarm. Check that the

sensor pad cord is not stressed, is clear of moving parts of
stretcher, and does not pose a tripping hazard.

A

)

8316

seconds to transfer the patient to the stretcher before
monitoring begins.

7. Test sensor pad and alarm (see testing alarm and sensor pad)

8. Position patient on stretcher, with weight centered on

sensor pad.

The Posey Stretcher Sensor Pad is designed primarily for above
mattress use. In the event you intend to locate the sensor pad
under the mattress, you must first test the sensor pad with the
alarm plugged in and turned on, with the patient weight on the
mattress, before leaving a patient unattended.

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 pad functions properly both with
the stretcher 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.

TESTING STRETCHER
SENSOR PAD

Mount alarm at side of stretcher away from side rail operation.

6. Insert plug into jack labeled “sensor” on the side of alarm.

Alarm will activate. Press the HOLD button. You have 30

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.

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 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.

M6258 REV A 101613

Posey

®

Stretcher Sensor Pad (Cont.)

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. Cord must be clear of all moving parts of
stretcher to prevent sensor pad failure.

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

• ALWAYS
plug.

• Make sure sensor pad air intake (“neck”

of stretcher 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
Posey Alarms contain a “failsafe” feature that activates the
Posey alarm if the sensor pad is removed from the alarm
when the power is on.

• 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 stretcher surface,
directly under patient’s weight, and that sensor pad cord
is not folded back under the sensor pad.

use the plastic tab to release

Plastic Tab

Neck

Sensor Pad
Cable

• ALWAYS use Hospital Bed Safety Workgroup (HBSW*)
compliant stretcher side rails. Use gap fillers to reduce
the risk that patients’ body or limbs may fit over, under,
around, through or between rails.

• Full compliant 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 stretcher side rails.

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 Phenol based
disinfectants; immerse in liquid; or sterilize with heat.

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

Storage:

• Store pad sensor pads 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:

This product is warrantied for fifteen (15) days from date of first
use.

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.

For stretcher use, sensor pad should be placed under patient’s
buttocks so alarm will activate if patient sits up, tries to climb
over side rails, or scoots to bottom of stretcher (see front
side).

*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

See Posey Catalog for Warranty details.