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10. Bed Controls and Indicators ------------
The handset is used by the user or caregiver
to change the position of the of the backrest
and legrest sections and to adjust the height
of the mattress platform of the bed. Always
check for obstructions before the bed is
raised or lowered. Before using the control,
the operating staff should explain to the
patient how the bed can be positioned. If the
medical staff state that the patient’s medical
condition is inappropriate for the patient to be
able to adjust the bed independently, the
bed’s position must only be adjusted by the
caregiver.
The handset has the following controls and
indicators:
Figure 10.1
WARNING
Bed positioning MUST be carried out by
suitably trained and qualified personnel.
Patients should only be allowed to
operate the bed independently if they are
able to understand the safety instructions
in this manual and have been risk
assessed as appropriate to do so.
Make sure the castor brakes are in the
locked position before using the handset
to change the positions of the bed.
Always engage the brakes when the bed
is stationery or left unattended.
Check for obstructions around, above and
below the bed frame and position the bed
so that it can operate through the full
height range without any possibility of
obstruction or entrapment.
Use of the legrest function must be risk
assessed as it may cause unintentional
displacement when used with patients of
smaller stature.
Sharing the bed with a patient (particularly
a child) carries the risk of lying on the
patient and causing suffocation or the
patient being wedged against the side of
the bed.
Use of wedges, supporting and
positioning devices may cause
entrapment and a risk of suffocation.
Smaller patients may need additional
support to achieve a semi-
Fowler’s
position.
Always store the handset in a safe place
when not in use to avoid risk of
strangulation and entrapment in the bed
mechanism, for example on the outside of
the headboard or footboard.
Handset and cable must be kept out of
reach of children.
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