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What This Guide Helps With
Troubleshoot startup failure, incomplete booting, or failed self-test caused by power, connections, accessories, configuration, or external equipment conditions.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting
1. Protect the Patient and Maintain Dialysis Continuity
Do not troubleshoot a Dialog+ that is actively supporting a patient if the failure could interrupt dialysis, monitoring, alarms, or blood-pump operation. Transfer care to another verified dialysis machine according to clinical procedure before troubleshooting.
Inspect for smoke, unusual odor, excessive heat, fluid intrusion, visible damage, or evidence of electrical failure. Disconnect AC power and remove the machine from service immediately if any unsafe condition is present.
Expected outcome: The patient is safely supported by alternate equipment and the Dialog+ can be evaluated without creating a clinical risk. If the device is physically unsafe, stop troubleshooting and remove it from service.
2. Confirm the Exact Startup Complaint
Ask staff what occurred during startup: completely dead, display illuminated but frozen, repeated restarting, self-test stopped, alarm during startup, or failure after a recent move, cleaning, power interruption, or service activity.
Attempt one controlled startup with no patient connected and document exactly how far the machine progresses.
Expected outcome: The startup failure is reproducible and clearly defined. If the machine completes startup normally and passes its required checks, verify operation and troubleshooting may stop.
3. Verify Facility Power
Confirm the power cord is fully seated, undamaged, and connected to an appropriate receptacle. Inspect the plug and cord for bent contacts, cuts, crushing, discoloration, or heat damage.
Test the receptacle using appropriate approved test equipment or verify the machine on another known-good approved power source when facility procedure allows.
Expected outcome: Stable AC power is confirmed at the machine. If correcting the outlet or power connection restores normal startup and the machine completes its checks, troubleshooting may stop after final verification.
4. Inspect External Connections and Accessories
Check accessible external connectors, hoses, concentrate connections, drain connections, sensors, and accessories for incorrect installation, damage, contamination, or anything that could interfere with startup checks.
Disconnect only accessories that may safely be removed during bench evaluation and reinstall them correctly as applicable.
Expected outcome: External components are correctly connected and undamaged. If an accessory or connection was preventing startup and correcting it restores a successful self-test, troubleshooting may stop after verification.
5. Check Power Controls and Observable Indicators
Operate the normal power control and observe display activity, indicator lights, fans, audible startup tones, and any abnormal cycling. Do not repeatedly power-cycle the machine if it consistently fails at the same point.
Record any displayed message exactly as shown without interpreting it as an internal component failure.
Expected outcome: The machine either advances through startup normally or provides a repeatable failure point for further evaluation.
6. Review Recent Environmental or Service Changes
Determine whether the problem began after relocation, cleaning, water exposure, building power work, network changes, accessory replacement, preventive maintenance, or another service activity.
Allow the unit to reach an appropriate operating environment if it was recently moved from an unusually hot, cold, or humid location.
Expected outcome: Environmental and recent-change causes are ruled out or corrected. If startup becomes normal after correcting the external condition, troubleshooting may stop following verification.
7. Perform an Approved Functional Startup Check
With the machine out of clinical use, perform the normal startup sequence and observe whether all accessible self-checks complete. Do not bypass failed checks or enter restricted service functions solely to force the machine into operation.
Expected outcome: Startup and self-test complete without abnormal indications. If successful, proceed with required return-to-service testing and troubleshooting may stop.
8. Escalate a Persistent Startup Failure
If power, connections, accessories, environment, and basic external conditions are satisfactory but startup still fails, do not assume a specific board, power supply, or internal module has failed.
Expected outcome: Persistent internal or service-level failures are referred for qualified bench evaluation rather than continued invasive troubleshooting.
If the Problem Persists
Common external causes have been ruled out. The remaining problem may involve an internal power subsystem, controller, display electronics, startup monitoring circuit, configuration issue, or another service-level condition.
The device should be:
- Removed from service.
- Labeled Out of Service.
- Sent for repair or bench evaluation.
- Evaluated using appropriate B. Braun service documentation and approved test equipment.
- Repaired or configured only by qualified personnel.
After repair, complete all required functional, safety, alarm, and dialysis-system verification before returning the machine to clinical service.
Stopping after safe external troubleshooting and escalating an unresolved startup failure is proper troubleshooting.
Clinical Use Tip
Move the patient to another verified dialysis machine before investigating any startup failure that could delay or interrupt treatment.
Work Order Documentation (CCR Method)
CCR = Complaint, Cause, Resolution
Complaint
What was reported by the clinical staff.
Example:
"Dialysis staff reported the Dialog+ would power on but would not complete the startup self-test."
Cause
What was observed during troubleshooting.
Example:
"Clinical Engineering found the machine was connected to a receptacle with unreliable AC power and startup completed normally on a verified source."
Resolution
What action was taken.
Example:
"The machine was connected to a verified power source, completed startup and functional checks successfully, and was returned to service."
Helpful Details to Include (If Known)
- Exact startup message or symptom
- Whether the display illuminated
- AC power source tested
- Power cord and plug condition
- Recent relocation or power event
- Connected accessories
- Indicator lights or audible tones
- Point where startup stopped
- Results on known-good power
- Final functional test result
- Final device status
Final Thought
Protect the patient first, verify external power and connections before suspecting internal failure, confirm the correction with appropriate testing, escalate persistent failures, and document the complaint, cause, and resolution clearly.
That is successful troubleshooting.