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What This Guide Helps With
Use when aspiration, pipetting, or probe-related errors interrupt sample, reagent, calibration, or QC processing.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting
1. Protect Patient Results and Stop Repeated Processing
Stop affected testing until reliable aspiration can be confirmed. Do not repeatedly process patient specimens through an analyzer producing recurring aspiration errors.
Expected outcome: Potentially incomplete or inaccurate pipetting does not affect released patient results.
2. Confirm When the Error Occurs
Determine whether the issue affects patient samples, reagents, calibrators, QC, one position, or all aspiration events. Record any displayed message.
Expected outcome: The problem is narrowed to a specific material, position, or broader pipetting function.
3. Inspect the Sample or Reagent Container
Check for insufficient volume, foam, bubbles, clotting, fibrin, debris, damaged containers, incorrect tube placement, or caps that could interfere with aspiration.
Expected outcome: The material is accessible and suitable for reliable aspiration.
4. Inspect Accessible Probe Areas Safely
With the analyzer in a safe nonmoving state, visually inspect accessible probe areas for visible residue, bending, obstruction, or abnormal positioning. Do not manually bend, align, or disassemble the probe.
Expected outcome: No obvious external obstruction or physical damage is present.
5. Verify Racks, Cups, and Holders
Confirm tubes, sample cups, reagent containers, and carriers are seated correctly and are appropriate for the analyzer workflow.
Expected outcome: Containers are positioned consistently in the expected aspiration location.
6. Use a Known-Good Sample or Control Setup
When permitted, test using an approved known-good container and material. If aspiration succeeds, compare the original specimen or container for clotting, bubbles, inadequate volume, or placement issues.
Expected outcome: The comparison distinguishes material/container problems from an analyzer-wide aspiration problem.
7. Check for Related Fluidics or Wash Conditions
Review normal analyzer status for concurrent fluid supply, waste, wash, or other conditions that could affect pipetting performance.
Expected outcome: Supporting fluidics are available and no broader fault is evident.
8. Perform Final Functional Verification
Run appropriate non-patient test material or required QC to confirm repeated aspiration occurs without errors and results meet laboratory acceptance requirements.
Expected outcome: Aspiration is stable and repeatable. Troubleshooting can stop when required verification passes.
If the Problem Persists
Sample condition, positioning, container compatibility, visible obstruction, and external fluidics conditions have been ruled out. The remaining issue may involve probe alignment, liquid-level sensing, pipetting mechanics, pressure sensing, tubing, valves, pumps, or other internal service-level components.
Remove the analyzer or affected testing from service, label it Out of Service, and arrange qualified repair or bench/on-site evaluation using Beckman Coulter documentation and approved test equipment. Do not bend probes, open fluidic assemblies, or make unauthorized mechanical adjustments.
Return the analyzer to service only after aspiration performance and required QC are successfully verified.
Knowing when to stop external troubleshooting and escalate is proper troubleshooting.
Clinical Use Tip
A single successful aspiration does not prove reliability after repeated pipetting faults; verify repeatable operation before resuming patient testing.
Work Order Documentation (CCR Method)
CCR = Complaint, Cause, Resolution
Complaint
What was reported by the clinical staff.
Example:
"Laboratory staff reported repeated sample aspiration errors on the DxC 700 AU."
Cause
What was observed during troubleshooting.
Example:
"Clinical Engineering found the affected specimen contained a visible clot that interfered with aspiration."
Resolution
What action was taken.
Example:
"The specimen was removed from the analyzer, laboratory staff prepared an acceptable replacement sample, and subsequent aspiration and QC operation were verified without error."
Helpful Details to Include (If Known)
- Material affected
- Tube or cup type
- Sample volume
- Presence of clot, foam, or bubbles
- Probe condition
- Rack or holder position
- Known-good comparison result
- Related wash or fluidics status
- Error recurrence pattern
- Final QC or functional result
Final Thought
Start with the material being aspirated before assuming a probe or pipettor failure. Verify volume, container, positioning, and fluidics first, stop when external troubleshooting limits are reached, and document successful repeatability before return to service.
That is successful troubleshooting.