Drager Atlan A350

Startup or System Test Failure

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Asset Type

Anesthesia Machine

Manufacturer

Drager

Model

Atlan A350

What This Guide Helps With

Startup or system testing does not complete successfully due to power, breathing-system, accessory, gas-supply, connection, or configuration-related conditions.

Step-by-Step Troubleshooting

1. Protect the Patient and Maintain Continuity of Care

Do not troubleshoot an unreliable anesthesia machine while a patient depends on it. If the problem occurs during clinical use, transfer ventilation and anesthesia delivery to an appropriate verified alternative according to facility procedure before troubleshooting. Inspect for obvious damage, fluid intrusion, overheating, unusual odor, or other conditions requiring immediate removal from service. Expected outcome: The patient is supported by reliable equipment and the Atlan A350 can be evaluated without creating a clinical risk. If obvious unsafe damage is present, remove the machine from service and stop troubleshooting.

2. Confirm the Exact Failure

Obtain the exact report from clinical staff and reproduce the startup or system test failure when safe. Record which test phase or displayed message indicates the problem. Do not assume that a general "system test failed" report identifies the failed subsystem. Expected outcome: The failure is reproduced or clearly identified, providing a specific starting point for troubleshooting. If the system test now completes normally, perform final verification before returning the machine to service.

3. Verify AC Power and Basic Startup

Confirm the power cord is fully connected to the machine and a known functional receptacle. Inspect the cord and plug for damage. Verify the machine powers normally and does not repeatedly restart or lose power during testing. If power quality is questionable, verify the receptacle using approved test methods or move the machine to a known-good power source when appropriate. Expected outcome: The machine receives stable AC power and completes normal startup without power interruption. If correcting the power source resolves the failure and the complete system test passes, troubleshooting can stop after final verification.

4. Inspect the Breathing System and External Connections

Check externally accessible breathing-system components for correct installation and secure seating. Inspect the patient circuit, reservoir bag, hoses, connectors, filters, sampling connections, and other installed accessories for disconnection, damage, obstruction, or incorrect assembly. Correct obvious external assembly problems without performing deep disassembly. Expected outcome: All required external breathing-system components are properly installed, intact, and securely connected. If correction allows the system test to pass, proceed to final functional verification.

5. Verify Gas Supplies

Confirm required pipeline gas hoses are connected to the appropriate supply outlets and the machine. Check for kinked, damaged, loose, or incorrectly connected hoses. If cylinders are installed as backup supplies, verify they are properly mounted and available according to facility practice. Expected outcome: Required gas supplies are available and connected correctly with no obvious external supply problem. If restoring the proper supply clears the test failure, repeat the complete system test.

6. Check Vaporizers and Installed Accessories

Inspect installed vaporizers and externally connected modules or accessories for proper seating and obvious physical damage. Verify accessories expected by the current machine setup are connected correctly. Do not force components into position or make unauthorized configuration changes. Expected outcome: Installed accessories are securely seated and compatible with the intended setup. If reseating an accessory resolves the test failure, repeat the complete system test before stopping.

7. Repeat the System Test Under a Controlled Setup

After external corrections, place the machine in the appropriate non-patient test configuration and repeat the manufacturer-provided startup or system test. Observe whether the same portion fails again or whether the machine now completes all required checks. Expected outcome: The Atlan A350 completes its system test without unresolved failures. If it passes consistently, troubleshooting can stop after final operational verification.

8. Perform Final Functional Verification

Verify normal startup, controls, ventilation operation, gas delivery indications, alarm functionality, and other functions relevant to the reported failure using approved test equipment and facility procedures. Document the original condition, correction, and successful verification. Expected outcome: The machine operates normally and passes required return-to-service testing. It may be returned to clinical use only after all applicable verification is satisfactory.

9. Escalate an Unresolved Failure

If the startup or system test repeatedly fails after external causes have been ruled out, stop external troubleshooting. Do not bypass the test, suppress the failure, or proceed to unsupported internal repair. Expected outcome: An unresolved machine is removed from service and routed for qualified service evaluation rather than returned to clinical use.

If the Problem Persists

Common external causes such as AC power, gas supplies, breathing-system assembly, accessory seating, and basic setup have been ruled out. Remaining possibilities may involve an internal pneumatic, electronic, sensing, software, calibration, configuration, or power-related condition. The device should be:

After corrective service, complete all applicable system tests, functional checks, alarm verification, and return-to-service testing before releasing the machine. Knowing when to stop external troubleshooting is proper troubleshooting.

Clinical Use Tip

Never bypass a failed pre-use or system test to keep an anesthesia machine available for a case; provide another verified machine instead.

Work Order Documentation (CCR Method)

CCR = Complaint, Cause, Resolution

Complaint

What was reported by the clinical staff.

Example:
"OR staff reported the Drager Atlan A350 failed its startup system test before a scheduled case."

Cause

What was observed during troubleshooting.

Example:
"Clinical Engineering found the breathing circuit connection incompletely seated, causing the machine to fail the required test."

Resolution

What action was taken.

Example:
"Clinical Engineering corrected the circuit connection, repeated the system test successfully, and verified normal ventilation and alarm operation before return to service."

Helpful Details to Include (If Known)

Final Thought

Protect the patient first, verify simple external causes before suspecting an internal failure, confirm the correction with a complete system test, escalate unresolved faults appropriately, and document the work clearly. That is successful troubleshooting.

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