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Manufacturer
Model
What This Guide Helps With
Identifies causes for bellows failing to rise/fall, including power, circuit, or valve issues, before patient exposure.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting
1. Ensure Patient Safety
- Confirm no patient is connected.
- Move the patient to an alternate anesthesia machine if ventilation is required.
2. Verify Power Supply
- Check that the machine is plugged into a functional outlet and turned on.
- Confirm main power indicator is illuminated.
- Reason: Bellows movement requires electrical and pneumatic power; without it, cycling cannot occur.
3. Check Oxygen/Compressed Gas Supply
- Confirm oxygen and air cylinders or pipelines are on and delivering adequate pressure.
- Look for low-pressure alarms.
- Reason: Bellows rely on gas flow to drive inspiration/expiration.
4. Inspect Breathing Circuit Connections
- Ensure the inspiratory and expiratory limbs are securely connected.
- Verify that the bellows chamber is properly seated in its housing.
- Reason: Leaks or misalignment prevent proper bellows cycling.
5. Examine Ventilator Settings
- Check mode, tidal volume, respiratory rate, and pressure limits.
- Ensure “Manual” or “Standby” modes are not engaged.
- Reason: Incorrect settings can inhibit automatic bellows movement.
6. Check for Active Alarms or Obstructions
- Inspect for occluded filters, patient valves, or airway obstructions.
- Reset any active alarms and attempt to initiate a test breath.
- Reason: The ventilator will inhibit bellows movement if obstruction or fault is detected.
7. Perform a System Reset
- Power cycle the machine following manufacturer guidelines.
- Re-run the pre-use check if applicable.
- Reason: Transient errors may prevent bellows cycling.
If the Problem Persists
All external checks have been completed; internal pneumatic or mechanical failure is likely. Remove from service, label as Out of Service, and send for repair or bench evaluation. Document that further troubleshooting requires qualified repair personnel.
Clinical Use Tip
Never attempt to ventilate a patient with a non-cycling bellows. Always switch to a functioning anesthesia machine or manual ventilation before troubleshooting.
Work Order Documentation (CCR Method)
CCR = Complaint, Cause, Resolution
Complaint
What was reported by the clinical staff.
Example:
"Bellows not cycling during pre-use check; patient unable to ventilate."
Cause
What was observed during troubleshooting.
Example:
"Breathing circuit properly connected; gas supply and power verified; issue persisted. Likely internal ventilator fault."
Resolution
What action was taken.
Example:
"Device removed from service, labeled Out of Service, sent for repair."
Helpful Details to Include (If Known)
- Confirmed outlet functionality
- Gas supply pressures verified
- Bellows properly seated
- Ventilator settings checked
- Active alarms cleared
- Final device status: Out of Service
Final Thought
Patient safety is the priority. Bellows not cycling is a critical ventilator failure; stepwise troubleshooting ensures simple causes are addressed, but internal repair should be escalated promptly. Accurate documentation aids future preventive actions.
That is successful troubleshooting.