Drager Apollo

Asset Type

Anesthesia Machine

Manufacturer

Drager

Model

Apollo

What This Guide Helps With

This guide helps troubleshoot the CO2 SENSOR FAIL CO2 alarm on a Drager Apollo anesthesia machine when the onboard CO2 gas measurement system has failed or CO2 monitoring is unavailable. The alarm is listed for Standby only, but the condition should still be treated seriously because reliable CO2 monitoring is critical for anesthesia care, ventilation confirmation, and patient safety.

Step-by-Step Troubleshooting

Ensure Patient Safety First

• Do not troubleshoot CO2 monitoring failures on an active patient unless clinical staff have already secured safe ventilation and alternate monitoring.
• If the machine is being prepared for a case, do not rely on the internal CO2 measurement system while the alarm is unresolved.
• Remove the anesthesia machine from patient use if CO2 monitoring is unavailable and no approved alternate monitoring is in place.
• Use another anesthesia machine or an approved external gas monitoring system if the case must continue.
• Confirm that patient ventilation and CO2 monitoring are maintained before continuing device troubleshooting.

Verify the Reported Alarm and Behavior

• Confirm the exact alarm displayed is CO2 SENSOR FAIL CO2.
• Check whether the alarm appears in Standby, during startup, after the machine has been sitting unused, or after a restart.
• Observe whether CO2 readings are missing, unstable, or unavailable.
• Check whether other gas monitoring values are also affected.
• Confirm that the issue is a device-reported CO2 gas measurement failure and not only a general monitoring complaint.

Confirm the Machine Is Not Being Relied On for CO2 Monitoring

• Check whether the Apollo is connected to a patient circuit, breathing bag, test lung, or clinical setup.
• Confirm with anesthesia staff whether they are relying on the machine’s internal CO2 monitoring.
• If the machine is needed for clinical use, make sure an approved alternate CO2 or gas monitoring method is available before the unit is used.
• Do not independently approve use of the machine without reliable CO2 monitoring if patient care is involved.

Check for Other Related Gas Monitoring Alarms

• Look for additional alarms or messages related to gas measurement, sampling, or monitoring failure.
• Check whether O2, anesthetic agent, or other gas values are also missing or affected.
• If multiple gas measurement alarms are present, suspect a broader internal gas bench or monitoring system issue.
• Document any additional alarms exactly as displayed.

Check External and Simple Causes First

• Inspect the visible external gas monitoring setup if applicable.
• Check for a loose, missing, blocked, kinked, or contaminated sampling line.
• Check for moisture or fluid contamination in the sample path.
• Inspect the water trap condition and connection.
• Check for damaged or improperly seated external gas monitoring accessories.
• Correct any obvious external setup issue and retest the machine.

Power Cycle Only If Safe and Appropriate

• Power cycle the Apollo only if the device is not connected to a patient and clinical staff approve.
• Allow the system to complete startup checks.
• Confirm whether the CO2 SENSOR FAIL CO2 alarm returns.
• If the alarm clears and CO2 monitoring functions normally, perform normal operational checks before returning the device to service.
• If the alarm returns, treat it as a persistent CO2 gas measurement failure.

Verify External CO2 Monitoring If the Unit Must Remain Clinically Available

• If the Apollo is needed but internal CO2 monitoring is unavailable, confirm with clinical leadership whether an approved external gas measuring system will be used.
• Do not make this decision independently if patient care is involved.
• Confirm the external CO2 or gas monitoring system is available, functional, and accepted by clinical staff.
• Document that alternate monitoring was required if the machine could not provide internal CO2 measurement.

Determine Whether the Issue Is Accessory, Configuration, or Device Related

• If a sample line, water trap, or external setup issue was found and corrected, retest the machine.
• If the alarm returns with proper setup and after restart, treat it as a device-related failure.
• If other gas measurement alarms are present, suspect a broader gas measurement system issue.
• Stop troubleshooting externally once the simple causes have been ruled out.

Stop When Resolved

• If the alarm clears after correcting an external issue or restarting the system, verify CO2 monitoring returns to normal.
• Confirm no related gas measurement alarms are present.
• Perform an operational checkout appropriate for the clinical area.
• Return the device to service only after normal function is confirmed.
• Document the issue and corrective action in the work order.

If the Problem Persists

If the CO2 SENSOR FAIL CO2 alarm remains active or returns after external checks, accessory checks, and a safe restart, external and common causes have been ruled out.

A persistent alarm strongly indicates an internal CO2 gas measurement system failure or broader gas measurement system issue.

The anesthesia machine should be removed from service, labeled Out of Service, and sent for repair or bench evaluation. Escalate to DragerService or qualified anesthesia service support.

Do not continue using the device as a primary anesthesia machine without reliable CO2 monitoring or an approved external gas measuring system.

Clinical Use Tip

Never troubleshoot on an active patient. Move the patient to a backup device first. A device with an unresolved CO2 monitoring failure should not be trusted for patient ventilation monitoring until the issue is corrected or properly bypassed with approved external monitoring.

Work Order Documentation (CCR Method)

CCR = Complaint, Cause, Resolution

Complaint

What was reported by the clinical staff.

Example:
"Drager Apollo anesthesia machine displayed CO2 SENSOR FAIL CO2 alarm in Standby. Staff reported onboard CO2 gas measurement was unavailable."

Cause

What was observed during troubleshooting.

Example:
"Confirmed CO2 SENSOR FAIL CO2 alarm. External sampling setup, visible connections, sample line, and water trap were checked with no correctable external issue found. Alarm persisted after safe restart, indicating likely internal CO2 gas measurement system failure."

Resolution

What action was taken.

Example:
"Removed anesthesia machine from service and labeled Out of Service. Advised use of approved external gas measuring system if clinically required. Referred unit for DragerService or qualified bench evaluation."

Helpful Details to Include (If Known)

• Alarm behavior
• Accessories swapped
• Power behavior
• Environmental factors
• Indicator lights
• Final device status

Final Thought

CO2 SENSOR FAIL CO2 should be treated as a patient safety issue because reliable CO2 monitoring is essential for anesthesia care. Clinical Engineering should confirm the alarm, rule out simple external causes, protect the patient from unreliable monitoring, and escalate appropriately when the internal gas measurement system appears to have failed. Clear CCR documentation helps show what was checked, what was found, and why the device was removed from service.

That is successful troubleshooting.