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What This Guide Helps With
Use when the analyzer repeatedly identifies inadequate sample, clotting, bubbles, foam, or conditions preventing consistent specimen aspiration.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting
1. Protect Specimen Integrity and Patient Testing
Stop repeated aspiration attempts on the affected specimen. Preserve the sample and redirect urgent testing when required.
Expected outcome: The specimen is not unnecessarily consumed or subjected to repeated unreliable aspiration.
2. Confirm Whether the Problem Follows the Specimen
Determine whether the same specimen repeatedly fails, multiple specimens fail in one position, or samples across the analyzer are affected.
Expected outcome: The problem is identified as specimen-specific, position-specific, or analyzer-wide.
3. Inspect the Specimen
Check for visible clot, fibrin, bubbles, foam, separation problems, insufficient volume, or contamination. Follow laboratory policy for handling or recollecting unsuitable specimens.
Expected outcome: A visible specimen-quality problem is either identified or ruled out.
4. Verify Tube and Sample Volume
Confirm the specimen is in an approved container, is seated correctly, and contains enough accessible material for the requested testing. Consider dead volume and container geometry without attempting to override analyzer safeguards.
Expected outcome: The analyzer has reasonable access to sufficient sample volume.
5. Check Labels and Tube Placement
Ensure labels are not interfering with seating or causing the tube to sit incorrectly in the rack. Verify the tube is vertical and properly positioned.
Expected outcome: The specimen is positioned correctly for detection and aspiration.
6. Compare With a Known-Good Specimen Setup
Use approved QC, calibration material, or other appropriate non-patient material in a known-good container. If it processes normally, the original specimen or container remains the likely source.
Expected outcome: A known-good comparison separates specimen-related problems from analyzer-related aspiration problems.
7. Look for Repeating Analyzer-Wide Symptoms
If multiple acceptable specimens exhibit the same error, check for concurrent aspiration, fluidics, wash, or probe-related conditions visible through the normal interface.
Expected outcome: Broader analyzer conditions are identified or ruled out without internal disassembly.
8. Verify Successful Processing
After correction, process appropriate material and complete required QC before resuming affected patient testing.
Expected outcome: Samples are detected and aspirated consistently without repeat clot, bubble, or volume errors. Troubleshooting can stop.
If the Problem Persists
Specimen quality, volume, container, positioning, and obvious external aspiration conditions have been ruled out. The remaining issue may involve liquid-level sensing, aspiration pressure, probe condition, tubing, fluidics, or another internal detection or pipetting subsystem.
Remove affected testing from service if reliable sample aspiration cannot be demonstrated. Label the analyzer Out of Service and arrange evaluation using appropriate Beckman Coulter documentation and approved test equipment. Repairs and internal adjustments should be performed only by qualified personnel.
Return the analyzer to service only after repeatable sample handling and required QC verification.
Knowing when to stop external troubleshooting and escalate is proper troubleshooting.
Clinical Use Tip
When an error follows one specimen, protect the sample and investigate specimen quality before repeatedly running it through the analyzer.
Work Order Documentation (CCR Method)
CCR = Complaint, Cause, Resolution
Complaint
What was reported by the clinical staff.
Example:
"Laboratory staff reported repeated low-volume errors for one patient sample on the DxC 700 AU."
Cause
What was observed during troubleshooting.
Example:
"Clinical Engineering found the specimen tube contained insufficient accessible sample volume for reliable aspiration."
Resolution
What action was taken.
Example:
"The affected tube was removed, laboratory staff provided an acceptable replacement specimen, and subsequent testing proceeded without recurrence."
Helpful Details to Include (If Known)
- Whether one or multiple specimens are affected
- Tube type and position
- Visible clot, fibrin, foam, or bubbles
- Available specimen volume
- Label placement
- Known-good material comparison
- Aspiration-related messages
- Other concurrent fluidics faults
- Result after specimen replacement
- Final analyzer status
Final Thought
Repeated sample errors should first be traced to specimen condition, available volume, container, and positioning. Verify these simple causes before suspecting internal aspiration hardware, and escalate when reliable sample handling cannot be proven.
That is successful troubleshooting.