Safety Tips and Guidelines
Before operating the Epic II
®
Carefully read and strictly follow the safety tips and guidelines listed in this manual.
To ensure safe operation of the bed, methods and procedures must be established for educating and training hospital
staff on the intrinsic risks associated with the usage of electric beds.
WARNING
• When the bed is unplugged, secure the power cord around the head end of the bed to prevent possible fraying of
the power cord due to crushing of the cable between moveable parts, which could result in the risk of electrical
shock.
• The Epic II
Critical Care Bed is equipped with a hospital grade plug for protection against shock hazard. It must
®
be plugged directly into a properly grounded three-prong receptacle. Grounding reliability can be achieved only
when a hospital grade receptacle is used.
• Serious injury can result if caution is not used when operating the bed. Operate bed only when all persons are
clear of the electrical and mechanical systems.
• To help reduce the number and severity of falls by patients, always leave the bed in the lowest position when the
patient is unattended.
• Always apply the caster brakes when a patient is getting on or off the bed. Always keep the caster brakes applied
when a patient is on the bed (except during transport). Serious injury could result if the bed moves while a patient
is getting in or out of bed. After the brake pedal is applied, push on the bed to ensure the brakes are locked. When
moving the bed, toggle the steer pedal to put the bed in the steer mode. This locks the swivel motion of the right
foot end caster and makes the bed easier to move.
• When raising the siderails, listen for the "click" that indicates the siderail has locked in the up position. Pull firmly
on the siderail to ensure it is locked into position. Siderails are not intended to be a patient restraint device. It is
the responsibility of attending medical personnel to determine the degree of restraint and the siderail positioning
necessary to ensure a patient will remain safely in bed.
• Ensure the brakes are completely released prior to attempting to move the bed. Attempting to move the bed with
the brakes actuated could result in injury to the user and/or patient.
• Assistance is required to lower the Back if the angle of the Back is greater than 80° when the CPR emergency
release is activated. Attempting to lower the Back in this position without assistance may result in injury to the
operator.
• Always unplug bed during service or cleaning. When working under the bed, always place blocks under the litter
frame to prevent injury in case the Bed Down switch is accidently activated.
• Battery posts, terminals and related accessories contain lead and lead compounds, chemicals known to the State
of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. Wash hands after handling.
• The Epic II
®
Critical Care Bed is not intended for pediatric use or for patients under 50 pounds.
• Explosion Hazard - do not use bed in the presence of flammable anesthetics.
• To avoid entanglement, possibly resulting in frayed power cords and risk of electrical shock, wrap the bed power
cord around the head board of the bed during transport.
• Service only by qualified personnel. Refer to the maintenance manual. Verify the power cord is unplugged before
servicing.
• When using any mattress and/or mattress overlay that increases the overall height greater than 6" extra caution
and or operator supervision is required to help reduce the likelihood of a patient fall occurring.
• Trendelenburg is not easily achievable when mains voltage has been interrupted.
• When a Patient's condition (such as disorientation due to medication or clinical condition) could lead to patient
entrapment, the mattress support platform should be left in the flat position while the patient is unattended (except
when required otherwise by medical staff for special or particular circumstances).
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Safety Tips and Guidelines
Critical Care Beds, it is important to read and understand all information in this manual.
2031-009-011 REV B
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