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What This Guide Helps With
Use this guide when expected cleaning chemistry or another required process medium is not being delivered correctly during the cleaning cycle.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting
1. Protect Processing Integrity
Do not release instruments from a cycle if required cleaning chemistry was absent, uncertain, or delivered incorrectly.
Move the affected load to a verified reprocessing method.
Expected outcome: Instruments are not considered cleaned based on an incomplete chemistry-delivery process.
2. Confirm What Failed to Deliver
Determine what staff observed: empty chemistry container, no visible uptake, repeated low-chemistry indication, unchanged container level, disconnected tubing, or a cycle stopping during the dosing phase.
Do not assume an internal pump failure before checking the supply path.
Expected outcome: The delivery problem is described precisely.
3. Verify the Correct Chemistry Is Available
Confirm an approved chemistry container is installed and contains adequate product.
Check that the product has not been substituted with an incorrect container or incompatible chemistry.
Expected outcome: Correct chemistry is available to the unit.
4. Inspect Pickup Tubing and Connections
Trace the accessible chemistry tubing from the container to the cleaner.
Look for kinks, loose fittings, cracked tubing, disconnected pickup lines, tubing pinched behind the unit, or a pickup tube not reaching the product.
Expected outcome: The external chemistry path is intact and properly positioned. If correcting a loose or kinked line restores delivery, verify operation and stop troubleshooting.
5. Check for Air Entry or Loss of Prime
Look for large visible air gaps in transparent tubing where applicable or evidence that the container was recently replaced and the system has not resumed normal uptake.
Use only normal operator-accessible priming or setup functions when specifically authorized for the device.
Expected outcome: The external supply line is filled or positioned for normal uptake without unauthorized service intervention.
6. Inspect the Container Cap and Venting Arrangement
Verify that the chemistry container, cap, adapter, or pickup assembly is installed as intended and is not cross-threaded, loose, or obviously obstructed.
Expected outcome: The supply container interfaces correctly with the cleaner.
7. Verify Cycle and User-Accessible Settings
Confirm the selected cycle is one that normally uses the expected chemistry and that no accessible setting has unintentionally changed.
Do not alter dosing calibration or protected concentration settings.
Expected outcome: The proper cycle is selected with authorized settings.
8. Observe an Unloaded Functional Cycle
If safe and permitted, run an appropriate unloaded test and observe the accessible chemistry supply for evidence of normal uptake.
Do not rely solely on visual movement if the manufacturer requires a specific verification method.
Expected outcome: Chemistry delivery resumes and the cycle completes normally. If successful, troubleshooting can stop.
9. Stop for Leaks or Uncontrolled Chemical Release
If chemistry leaks externally, tubing has failed, or the dosing system behaves unpredictably, discontinue use and follow applicable chemical-safety procedures.
Expected outcome: Personnel exposure and equipment damage are prevented.
10. Escalate an Unresolved Delivery Failure
If the chemistry source and external tubing are correct but delivery remains absent or inconsistent, remove the unit from service.
Expected outcome: Internal dosing or control functions are evaluated by qualified service personnel.
If the Problem Persists
The chemistry supply, container installation, external tubing, cycle selection, and accessible connections have been ruled out. Remaining causes may involve an internal dosing pump, valve, flow path, sensor, control electronics, or protected calibration setting.
The device should be:
- Removed from service
- Labeled Out of Service
- Sent for repair or bench evaluation
- Evaluated using appropriate manufacturer documentation and approved test equipment
- Repaired, calibrated, or configured only by qualified personnel
Verify correct chemistry delivery and successful cleaning-cycle performance before return to service.
Knowing when to stop external troubleshooting is proper troubleshooting.
Clinical Use Tip
Any uncertainty about detergent delivery should be treated as an incomplete cleaning process; reprocess the affected instruments rather than assuming chemistry was delivered.
Work Order Documentation (CCR Method)
CCR = Complaint, Cause, Resolution
Complaint
What was reported by the clinical staff.
Example:
"Sterile Processing reported that the CaviWave Pro was not drawing detergent during the cleaning cycle."
Cause
What was observed during troubleshooting.
Example:
"Clinical Engineering found the detergent pickup tubing kinked behind the chemistry container."
Resolution
What action was taken.
Example:
"Corrected the tubing routing, verified detergent uptake during an unloaded functional cycle, and returned the cleaner to service."
Helpful Details to Include (If Known)
- Chemistry type installed
- Container level
- Recent container replacement
- Pickup tube position
- Tubing kinks or damage
- Loose fittings
- Visible air in supply tubing
- Cycle selected
- External chemical leakage
- Functional test result
- Final device status
Final Thought
Start at the chemistry container and work toward the cleaner. Confirm product, tubing, connections, and cycle selection before suspecting an internal dosing system, and never release instruments from a cycle with uncertain chemistry delivery.
That is successful troubleshooting.