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What This Guide Helps With
Addresses aspiration-related faults caused by sample condition, positioning, insufficient volume, obstruction, contamination, consumables, or accessible fluid-path problems.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting
1. Protect Samples and Stop Repeated Aspiration Attempts
Stop repeatedly presenting the same patient specimen if aspiration is unreliable. Preserve the specimen and use an alternate validated testing workflow when necessary.
Document whether the failure affects one sample or all samples.
Expected outcome: The specimen is protected and the scope of the aspiration problem is known.
2. Inspect the Sample
Check the affected sample for insufficient volume, clotting, visible bubbles, foam, damaged tube, improper fill, unusual viscosity, or other obvious specimen conditions.
Do not manipulate patient specimens outside laboratory-approved procedures.
Expected outcome: The specimen appears suitable for aspiration. If the problem follows an unsuitable specimen and known-good samples process normally, analyzer troubleshooting can stop.
3. Verify Tube Positioning
Confirm the tube is correctly seated and properly loaded in the rack or carrier. Inspect labels, caps, and tube geometry for anything that could interfere with access.
Expected outcome: The tube is correctly presented. If correcting loading resolves aspiration, verify with another sample and stop.
4. Inspect the Accessible Aspiration Area
Observe the accessible probe or sample-entry region for dried material, visible contamination, an external obstruction, or obvious damage.
Do not manually move the probe or enter the motion envelope while powered.
Expected outcome: No external obstruction or visible damage is present. If approved cleaning of an accessible contaminated surface resolves the issue, verify function and stop.
5. Check Reagent, Wash, and Waste Conditions
Verify required fluids are available and properly installed and that waste handling is not preventing normal fluidics operation.
Inspect accessible tubing and containers for kinks, leaks, loose fittings, or obvious restrictions.
Expected outcome: External fluid supplies and waste handling are normal. If correcting an external fluid condition restores aspiration, verify and stop.
6. Compare With a Known-Good Sample
When laboratory policy permits, test a known-good control or specimen to determine whether the aspiration error follows the original sample or remains with the analyzer.
Expected outcome: A sample-specific issue is distinguished from an analyzer-wide problem. If only the original sample fails, analyzer troubleshooting can stop.
7. Observe Whether the Error Is Position-Specific
Determine whether failures consistently occur at one rack position, carrier, loading area, or type of sample presentation.
Substitute a known-good rack or carrier if appropriate.
Expected outcome: Any external accessory-related problem is isolated and corrected. If aspiration becomes reliable with a known-good accessory, remove the suspect accessory from use.
8. Perform Approved Cleaning or Maintenance Actions
If laboratory or manufacturer-approved routine cleaning is indicated and within the Clinical Engineering support boundary, perform only the approved external or routine maintenance action.
Do not dismantle internal probe assemblies or fluid manifolds.
Expected outcome: Normal aspiration is restored. If errors continue, proceed to escalation.
9. Perform Final Functional Verification
Process an appropriate known-good sample or control and confirm normal aspiration, transport, analysis initiation, and required QC performance.
Expected outcome: Aspiration operates consistently without recurring fault. The issue is resolved and troubleshooting can stop.
If the Problem Persists
Sample condition, positioning, accessories, accessible aspiration areas, fluids, waste, and approved cleaning have been ruled out. The remaining cause may involve an internal probe mechanism, pump, valve, pressure or vacuum system, sensor, fluidic path, alignment, or control subsystem.
The analyzer should be:
- Removed from service if aspiration remains unreliable
- Labeled Out of Service
- Sent for repair or bench/service evaluation
- Evaluated using appropriate Abbott documentation and approved test equipment
- Repaired or adjusted only by qualified personnel
Do not perform deep fluidic disassembly or probe alignment without authorized procedures. Complete functional and laboratory quality verification before return to patient testing.
Knowing when to stop external troubleshooting is proper troubleshooting.
Clinical Use Tip
Preserve low-volume or difficult-to-recollect specimens instead of repeatedly presenting them to an analyzer with unreliable aspiration.
Work Order Documentation (CCR Method)
CCR = Complaint, Cause, Resolution
Complaint
What was reported by the clinical staff.
Example:
"Laboratory staff reported repeated aspiration errors on the Abbott Alinity hq during sample processing."
Cause
What was observed during troubleshooting.
Example:
"Clinical Engineering found one sample rack damaged and positioning tubes inconsistently beneath the aspiration path."
Resolution
What action was taken.
Example:
"Clinical Engineering removed the damaged rack from use, verified normal aspiration with a known-good rack and control sample, and returned the analyzer for routine laboratory QC confirmation."
Helpful Details to Include (If Known)
- Samples affected
- Sample volume and condition
- Tube and cap condition
- Rack or carrier used
- Visible bubbles or clots
- Accessible probe-area condition
- Reagent and wash status
- Waste status
- Leakage or tubing condition
- Known-good sample comparison
- Final aspiration and QC result
Final Thought
Aspiration faults often begin outside the analyzer with the specimen, rack, positioning, or fluid supply. Rule those out first, avoid unnecessary invasive repair, and escalate when the aspiration mechanism remains unreliable.
That is successful troubleshooting.