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What This Guide Helps With
Troubleshoots failed or incomplete calibration caused by setup, consumables, positioning, environment, external connections, or unmet readiness conditions.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting
1. Protect Patient Testing
Do not use an analyzer function for patient testing when required calibration has failed or cannot be completed. Coordinate with laboratory staff to use another verified analyzer or approved alternate process.
Expected outcome: Patient testing continues on equipment with acceptable calibration status.
2. Confirm the Calibration Failure
Determine what calibration or verification activity was being performed, when it failed, and whether the failure occurs immediately or after the process begins.
Record displayed messages and the point in the sequence where the process stops.
Expected outcome: The failed process and its repeatable behavior are clearly defined.
3. Verify Analyzer Readiness
Confirm the BACTEC FX is fully initialized, not reporting unrelated startup faults, and otherwise operating normally before calibration is attempted.
A calibration failure secondary to an unresolved power, temperature, door, communication, or readiness fault should not be treated as a calibration problem alone.
Expected outcome: The analyzer reaches a stable ready state. If another external fault is identified, correct that condition first and reassess calibration.
4. Verify Required Materials
Have laboratory staff confirm that any materials required for the calibration activity are correct, in acceptable condition, properly identified, and within their approved use criteria.
Do not substitute expired, damaged, or inappropriate materials to force completion.
Expected outcome: Correct and acceptable materials are available. If replacing an unsuitable material allows calibration to complete, proceed to final verification.
5. Verify Placement and Positioning
Check that any calibration item, bottle, carrier, or accessory involved is seated and oriented correctly and that the loading area is free of debris or obstruction.
Expected outcome: All externally loaded items are correctly positioned. If proper seating resolves the failure, complete verification and stop.
6. Inspect Accessible Identification Surfaces
If the process depends on barcode or optical identification, inspect accessible reader windows and labels for contamination or obstruction.
Clean externally accessible surfaces using approved methods only.
Expected outcome: Identification surfaces are clear and readable. If calibration completes normally after cleaning, stop after verification.
7. Check Environmental Conditions
Verify ventilation openings are clear and the analyzer is not exposed to abnormal heat, direct drafts, excessive dust, or another obvious environmental condition that could interfere with system readiness.
Expected outcome: The environment is suitable for stable operation. If an external environmental issue is corrected and calibration succeeds, document and verify the result.
8. Check External Connections and Workstation Status
Verify required analyzer, workstation, module, and communication cables are connected securely and that the workstation is responsive.
Expected outcome: External communication required for calibration is available. If reseating an appropriate external connection restores successful calibration, stop after verification.
9. Repeat the Calibration Only When Appropriate
After correcting an identifiable external cause, repeat the calibration according to laboratory and manufacturer-approved procedures.
Do not repeatedly rerun a failing calibration without investigating the cause.
Expected outcome: Calibration completes without error. If it fails again after external causes are ruled out, stop troubleshooting and escalate.
10. Verify Post-Calibration Readiness
Confirm the analyzer records an acceptable calibration status and is ready for the intended laboratory workflow. Complete any laboratory-required quality checks before patient testing resumes.
Expected outcome: Calibration is accepted and the required post-calibration checks are satisfactory. Troubleshooting can stop.
If the Problem Persists
External causes including analyzer readiness, material condition, placement, identification, environment, and external communication have been ruled out. The remaining problem may involve an internal sensor, calibration reference, optical subsystem, software, stored calibration data, or another service-level condition.
The analyzer should be:
- Removed from service for affected testing.
- Labeled Out of Service.
- Sent for repair or bench evaluation.
- Evaluated using current BD documentation and approved test equipment.
- Repaired or configured only by qualified personnel.
Following service, complete the manufacturer-required calibration and laboratory quality verification before returning the analyzer to patient testing.
Repeatedly forcing a failed calibration is not troubleshooting; recognizing when service-level evaluation is required is.
Clinical Use Tip
Patient specimens should only be processed on a system whose required calibration and laboratory quality checks are current and acceptable.
Work Order Documentation (CCR Method)
CCR = Complaint, Cause, Resolution
Complaint
What was reported by the clinical staff.
Example:
"Laboratory reported that the BACTEC FX calibration process repeatedly stopped before completion."
Cause
What was observed during troubleshooting.
Example:
"Clinical Engineering found the calibration item was not fully seated because of debris in the loading area."
Resolution
What action was taken.
Example:
"The accessible loading area was cleaned, the item was correctly seated, calibration completed successfully, and acceptable system readiness was confirmed with laboratory staff."
Helpful Details to Include (If Known)
- Calibration activity being attempted
- Exact message displayed
- Point where calibration stopped
- Analyzer readiness status
- Material condition and expiration status
- Placement or seating observed
- Reader surface condition
- Environmental conditions
- External connections checked
- Result of repeat calibration
- Final calibration status
Final Thought
Treat calibration failure as a system-readiness problem until simple external causes are ruled out. Protect patient testing, verify materials and setup first, escalate persistent failures appropriately, and document the final calibration status clearly.
That is successful troubleshooting.