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Thank you for placing your confidence in our powered drive stretchers. They have been engineered from quality materials and hand-made with care to fulfil the requirements of the healthcare industry. Your stretcher will give years of trouble-free service if used and cared for in accordance with our directions. This power drive system is a re-usable, mobile device for transient to short-term use in a healthcare environment that allows a patient to be adequately supported during transport/transfer for the purpose of care within the environment.
These instructions for use are for an electric powered stretcher. This stretcher contains metal and electrically powered (low voltage) components. Associated electrical interference potential and/or magnetic safety issues may merit special consideration in your healthcare environment.
Before using your stretcher, please take the time to read our user guide carefully and familiarise yourself with the controls and operation of the unit. NOTE - these instructions are generic and apply to all stretcher models across the VSM stretcher range.
IT IS IMPORTANT TO ASSESS THAT THIS EQUIPMENT IS SUITABLE FOR YOUR CLINICAL NEEDS.
Product Overview
SWL: 400kg/880lbs
Product Warnings
Patient/Staff Safety and General Use
- Patients, especially children must not be left unattended with the power drive system at any time.
- Care must be taken in the operation of all moving parts and accessories to minimise risk of injury to staff or patients.
- Maximum static patient load capacity on the stretcher is 400kg/880lbs and must not be exceeded. Weight must be distributed as evenly as possible on the stretcher. Any weight loading above 150kg/330lbs must be wheeled on smooth, level flooring and attended by more than one staff member.
- Only apply brakes when stretcher is stationary.
- Brakes are to be fully applied during transfers and attended by qualified clinical staff.
- Check that all fingers, hands and limbs are clear before operating any function.
- Stretcher must never be left on sloping surfaces unattended, even with brakes fully engaged.
- Traversing side on, across slopes is to be avoided under any circumstances.
- On wet or slippery flooring do not lean or apply unnecessary force against stretcher, as it may slide – even with brakes fully applied.
- Clips, locks and retainers are supplied by the manufacturer for patient / staff safety and must not be removed.
Electric Operation
- All electric functions must be operated only by suitably qualified clinical staff in attendance.
- Always recharge the stretcher if the low battery (orange) light is showing.
- Only charge via a standard 120/240V power point. DO NOT MOVE the stretcher before disconnecting main power.
Maintenance
- Periodic maintenance must be done in accordance with the operator and instruction manual to ensure the safest product at all times.
- If any faults are evident, stretcher should be immediately removed from service until repaired.
YOUR OWN AND YOUR PATIENT SAFETY REQUIRES THAT YOU ALWAYS CHECK THE STRETCHER FUNCTION BEFORE USE.
- Are the castor’s free moving and firmly attached?
- Do any movable parts operate correctly?
- Are the visible surfaces free from damage, soiling and undue wear?
- Is the full unit clean and hygienic?
- Is the design suitable for the patient and the anticipated healthcare environment?
- Is the stretcher included in your institution’s preventative maintenance plan?
- Does the stretcher operate correctly, without undue vibration, noise and/or physical stresses? IF NOT, DO NOT USE.
- Isolate and quarantine the chair with the suspected malfunction. Contact Modsel or an authorised agent for advice.
Steer / Brake System
To drive the stretcher
- The centre powered drive wheel assists the operator pushing the stretcher. The stretcher will turn evenly left or right pivoting around this wheel.
- Press one of the corner GREEN pedals down fully to activate the drive wheel.
- NOTE THE POWER DRIVE WILL NOT ASSIST UNLESS THE STEER PEDAL IS ENGAGED.
To disengage the power drive system
- Press the opposite RED pedal back to the horizontal (neutral) position to disengage.
- This will allow the stretcher to be moved in any direction (such as side ways) without the power drive system engaged.
To brake when parked
- Press one of the corner RED pedals down fully to activate all four castor brakes.
- Press the opposite GREEN pedal back to the horizontal (neutral) position to disengage the brakes.
ALWAYS APPLY THE BRAKES WHEN THE STRETCHER IS PARKED.
Handle Adjustment
To raise the handles
- Lift the handles upright and then drop vertically to lock into their drive position.
To lower the handles
- Lift the handles vertically to unlock and then fold down to their stored position.
THE POWER DRIVE SYSTEM MUST ONLY BE TURNED ON AND USED AFTER THE HANDLES ARE LOCKED INTO THEIR RAISED POSITION. TURN OFF THE POWER DRIVE BEFORE LOWERING THE HANDLES.
Power Assisted Drive Control
To turn on
- After the drive handles are raised, push power button (A). Light will flash green briefly while the system sets and then will display solid green when ready.
- DO NOT operate the drive handles until this is complete.
- Press and hold left or right arrow buttons (B) for sideways movement.
To turn off
- The system will auto power off after 30 seconds.
- Alternatively press and hold power button (A) for 3 seconds.
- Do not lower the drive handles until after the system is powered off.
Emergency stop
- Press the red emergency stop button – unit will stop operating.
To reset the emergency stop
- Turn button clockwise until it pops out.
- Press the power button (A) once and wait until the flashing green light is solid green.
System fault
- If the light beside the power button (A) is flashing green or orange at any time, the system will not operate. Turn the system off and on again as per directions.
- If the light still will not display as solid green, report to management.
- NOTE - the Drive wheel system will not function when the stretcher is plugged into 120/240V power to recharge.
Power Assisted Drive Operation
To push the stretcher
- With the drive system turned on and engaged correctly, place both hands on each drive handle and begin to push the stretcher.
- The handles are touch sensitive, the harder they are pushed the more assistance that will be provided and the faster the stretcher will move.
To stop or reverse the stretcher
- Pull backwards on the handles to slow, stop or reverse the stretcher.
- In an emergency, the stretcher can be halted quicker than normally expected if it did not have a power drive system.
ALWAYS DRIVE THE STRETCHER WITH CARE TO PROTECT THE PATIENT, STAFF, EQUIPMENT AND PROPERTY.
Power Charging
Main power cable
- The stretcher must be charged via a standard 120/240V main power outlet.
- ALWAYS ENSURE LEAD IS UNPLUGGED BEFORE MOVING THE STRETCHER. THE POWERED DRIVE SYSTEM WILL NOT FUNCTION IF THE POWER CABLE IS PLUGGED IN.
- There is a battery backup to allow stretcher operation whilst unplugged. The number of operations per charge will vary according to the loading of the stretcher.
- Do not continually run the battery to low charge as this will gradually reduce the battery life.
- Regular charging of the battery is recommended.
Low battery warning
- There are a line of lights on the main control panel that shows the current battery level for the power drive system. These will change from green (3 lights), to yellow (1 light) and then to orange (1 light). It is advised to charge when it is changing from the yellow to orange light.
- If the orange light is showing only, or it fades and a beep sound is heard, the stretcher must be placed on charge immediately.
- Plug unit into a 120/240V main power outlet to recharge battery for a minimum of 6 hours.
- NOTE - the low battery warning on the main control panel is separate to the low battery warning that will omit from the removable battery that powers functionality on the stretcher (such as raise, lower and backrest).
FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THESE INSTRUCTIONS WILL RESULT IN SHORTENING THE BATTERY LIFE.
Cleaning
SURFACE CLEANING RECOMMENDED FOR ROUTINE CIRCUMSTANCES.
- Do not hose, soak or submerge this stretcher. Surface clean only.
- Disinfect using your institution approved procedure; ensuring the surfaces are decontaminated, free from residues and dry before use.
- Clean with alcohol based sanitisers or with appropriate water-based residues removal, or consider quaternary ammonium compounds*
- Machine washing and autoclaving is not recommended.
* Institution approved brands at manufacturer’s recommended concentrations.
TO CLEAN and DISINFECT
- CONSULT your facility contamination control plan.
- Consult care instructions for the accessories including mattress that have been supplied separately.
- Spot clean any visible soiling.
- Wipe over all surfaces with a suitable disinfectant, ensuring a suitable contact time.
- Rinse or remove residues as merited.
- Store indoors in a clean and dry environment, protected from contamination.
DO NOT
- Tumble dry, use phenolic disinfectants, abrasive or aqueous cleaners, steel wool or non-proprietary cleaners containing solvents.
- Permanently remove any fixtures or fittings integral to the safe operation and use of the stretcher.
- Allow fluid to contact electrical fittings, fixtures or connectors.
If you suspect significant contamination, consider fogging and/or UVC exposure in conjunction with advice from Modsel and your contamination control representative.
DAMAGE CAUSED BY THESE PROCESSES ARE IDENTIFIABLE AND MAY VOID WARRANTY.
Troubleshooting & Maintenance
The drive system won't start
- Ensure the battery is fully charged.
- Ensure the stretcher is not plugged into main power.
- Ensure the drive handles are not obstructed.
- Check that the red emergency stop button is not locked in.
- Check if the control panel light is green - if orange or flashing there may be a system fault.
- If not working, REPORT TO MANAGEMENT.
No lights will come on at the control panel
- If not working, REPORT TO MANAGEMENT.
Problems that could be encountered with mobile trolleys could involve wheel locks and/or brakes not functioning or engaging correctly or frame/structural components failing. Routine inspection can usually prevent these problems.
After each (12) twelve months of use, the stretcher must be checked in accordance with our recommended Service Checklist.
An approved MODSEL Service Checklist can be downloaded online from this link
TO ENSURE WARRANTY, PERIODIC MAINTENANCE RECORDS MUST BE RETAINED.
Malfunction
- Any failure of the stretcher to operate correctly should be immediately investigated.
- Isolate and quarantine the stretcher with the suspected malfunction.
- Contact MODSEL or authorised agent for advice.
Disposal
- Contact MODSEL or your institution expert for advice on disposal of this device.
- DO NOT repurpose this device. MODSEL as the legal manufacturer of this medical device can advise if it can be reconditioned.
Warranty
We warrant in the event that:
- Any fabricated structure failure is found within (15) fifteen years from the date of invoice due to faulty workmanship.
- A part or parts of plastic not covered by the above warranty, are found within (5) five years from the date of invoice to have a structural defect.
- All electric parts not covered by the above warranty are found to have a manufacturing defect within (2) two years from the date of invoice.
- Any externally supplied moving parts including springs, castors, struts, pivots etc not covered by the above warranty, are subject to third party warranties or found within (1) one year from the date of invoice to have a structural defect.
- Removable/ rechargeable batteries not covered by the above warranty are found to have a manufacturing defect within (3) three months from the date of invoice.
- The purchaser, within (14) fourteen days of discovery of the defect or defects gives written notice to Modsel or their distributor or agent, and:
The defect or defects are not due to:
- Cosmetic issues such as fading, crazing, discoloration.
- Lack of maintenance as per minimum requirements.
- Vandalism, negligence, abuse, accidents, improper installation or normal wear and tear.
- Products tampered with or altered, modified or repaired by anyone when not approved by Modsel.
- Conditions such as close proximity to salt, extreme hot or cold temperatures.
- Non-adherence to cleaning and care instructions.
- Permeation of fluid substances into foam.
- Incorrect usage of electric parts as per the operating directions.
Modsel will:
At our option, repair or replace the part or parts found within our reasonable judgement to have been defective in workmanship or materials. Should your chair ever require attention due to a failure as defined under the warranty above, please contact Modsel or your local distributor from whom your chair was originally purchased.
Manufacturing Records
Manufactured by Modsel Pty Ltd,
54 - 56 Industrial Ave, Maryborough, QLD, 4650, Australia.
Contact +61 1300 785 790
Class I Medical Device ARTG Included
Product Model/Serial Number;
Date of Manufacture;
