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Joerns® Assist Device and Side Rails
Vari-Care Models
© 2014 Joerns Healthcare • 6110015 RevJ • 14-2315
Important Precautions
Warning: Risk of Serious Injury or Death.
These
products are intended for use with Joerns
®
bed models
B530, B330, FreeStyle
®
, Easy Care
®
2000-2004,
Easy Care 3, 5, 7, 9, Care 100 and EasyCare. Use of
these products on any bed they were not designed for
could result in an unproven or unsafe configuration,
potentially resulting in serious injury or death. For
questions regarding compatibility, contact your Joerns
representative.
Warning: Risk of Serious Injury or Death.
Use a
properly sized mattress in order to minimize the gap
between the side of the mattress and the Vari-Care
assist device or side rail. This gap must be small
enough to prevent a resident from getting his/her head
or neck caught in this location. Make sure that raising
or lowering the bed, or adjusting the sleep surface,
does not create hazardous gaps. Failure to do so
could result in serious injury or death.
Warning: Risk of Serious Injury or Death.
Properly
locate the mounting brackets. The gap between the
head/foot panel and the Vari-Care assist device or side
rail must be small enough to prevent a resident from
getting his/her head or neck caught in this location
(see the installation instructions for more information,
if applicable). If multiple assist devices are needed,
position them such that the gap between them is
large enough that the trunk and hips can easily pass
through. Make sure that raising or lowering the bed, or
adjusting the sleep surface, does not create hazardous
gaps. Vari-Care assist devices or side rails should not
be used if ANY openings within the bed system allow
a resident to get his/her head or neck lodged within
these openings. Failure to do so could result in serious
injury or death.
Warning: Risk of Serious Injury or Death.
Do not
use the Vari-Care assist device as an assist until
you have verified that it is up AND locked. Injury to
resident or caregiver may result if this procedure is not
followed.
Warning:
An optimal bed system assessment should
be conducted for each resident by a qualified clinician
or medical provider to ensure maximum safety of
the resident. The assessment should be conducted
within the context of, and in compliance with, the
state and federal guidelines related to the use of
restraints and bed system entrapment guidance,
including the
Clinical Guidance for the Assessment
and Implementation of Side Rails
published by the
Hospital Bed Safety Workgroup of the U.S. Food
and Drug Administration. Further information can be
obtained at the following web address: http://www.fda.
gov/MedicalDevices/ProductsandMedicalProcedures/
GeneralHospitalDevicesandSupplies/HospitalBeds/
default.htm
Maintenance/Inspection Information:
Visually
inspect the assist handle and mounting bracket,
and check for loose hardware on a monthly basis.
Tighten loose hardware as stated in the installation
instructions.
Warning:
In the event worn or broken part(s) are
identified, remove the device from service until repairs
are made.
Note:
The Vari-Care assist devices are intended for
use as an aid in entering or exiting the bed sleep area,
as well as a stable handhold during self positioning
within the sleep area.
Note:
The Vari-Care side rails are intended to provide
a physical indication of the bed edge, as well as a
stable handhold during self positioning within the sleep
area.
Joerns assist devices or side rails are designed to be
used with specific Joerns bed frames. Once mounted
on the appropriate bed frame, assist devices or
side rails become an integral part of the Joerns bed
system. As such, these mounted assist devices or side
rails can handle the same safe working load, within
normal use conditions, of the appropriate bed to which
they are mounted.
When assessing the risk for entrapment, you need to
consider your bed, mattress, head/foot panels, assist
devices and other accessories, as a system. It is also
extremely important to review the resident’s physical
and mental condition and initiate an appropriate
individual care plan to address entrapment risk. All
Joerns bed systems are evaluated for compliance to
the FDA/CDRH "Hospital Bed System Dimensional
and Assessment Guidance to Reduce Entrapment."
