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What This Guide Helps With
Troubleshooting missing, unstable, or inaccurate skin temperature readings and servo-mode operation affected by probe, connection, setup, or controller faults.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting
1. Ensure Patient Safety First
If the warmer is supporting an infant, notify clinical staff immediately and move the patient to a known-working warmer or approved thermal-support method before troubleshooting.
Do not troubleshoot an unresolved skin temperature or servo-control fault while the warmer is relied upon for patient temperature regulation.
Expected outcome: The infant is safely supported on alternate equipment before the affected warmer is evaluated.
Why it matters: In Servo Mode, the Resuscitaire adjusts heater output based on the connected skin temperature probe. An unreliable probe signal can interfere with temperature regulation.
2. Confirm the Reported Fault and Operating Mode
Power on the warmer away from patient use and document the reported symptom:
- Probe alarm, no probe indication, or temperature reading absent
- Unstable, implausible, or rapidly changing skin temperature reading
- Servo Mode unavailable or not maintaining expected heater response
- System Fail or additional temperature-related alarm
Confirm whether the issue occurs in Servo Mode, since this mode depends on the skin temperature probe for automatic heater control.
Expected outcome: The complaint is reproduced and clearly identified as a probe-detection, temperature-reading, or servo-control problem.
3. Inspect the Skin Temperature Probe Externally
Inspect the probe and its cable for:
- Cut, cracked, stretched, pinched, or discolored insulation
- Bent, damaged, contaminated, or wet connector contacts
- Damaged probe sensor surface
- Evidence of improper cleaning, adhesive residue, or liquid intrusion
- Intermittent readings when the cable is gently positioned during bench testing
Do not use a visibly damaged probe for further clinical testing.
Expected outcome: The probe is either found intact for continued evaluation or identified as damaged and removed from use.
4. Verify the Probe Is Fully Connected
Disconnect and firmly reconnect the skin temperature probe at the designated temperature-probe connection. Ensure the connector is correctly oriented and fully seated.
Observe whether the probe alarm clears and whether a stable skin temperature value appears.
Expected outcome: A loose or partially seated connection is corrected, and a stable temperature reading is restored. If resolved, document the correction and stop troubleshooting.
Why it matters: The Resuscitaire identifies probe conditions including short circuit, open circuit, or no probe.
5. Inspect the Probe Port and Nearby Connections
Visually inspect the probe receptacle on the warmer for:
- Bent or recessed contacts
- Cracks, looseness, or physical damage
- Residue, moisture, or contamination
- Evidence the connector does not latch or remain seated
Do not insert tools into the connector or attempt internal repairs during this evaluation.
Expected outcome: The probe port appears clean and undamaged, or visible port damage supports removal from service for repair.
6. Test With a Known-Good Compatible Skin Temperature Probe
Using a clean, approved, known-good compatible skin temperature probe, connect it to the warmer and recheck the temperature display and Servo Mode behavior.
Expected outcome:
- If the known-good probe operates normally, the original probe is defective and should be replaced.
- If the same fault remains with a known-good probe, the problem is likely within the warmer’s probe input or controller circuitry.
Why it matters: This separates a removable accessory failure from a likely device-level fault without internal disassembly.
7. Verify Displayed Temperature Is Reasonable and Stable
With the known-good probe connected during bench evaluation, verify that the displayed skin temperature is present, stable, and reasonable for the test condition.
The Resuscitaire skin temperature display range is specified as 18°C to 43°C, with accuracy specified as ±0.2°C from 31°C to 37°C.
Expected outcome: A stable, plausible displayed temperature supports proper probe detection. Missing, erratic, or clearly implausible readings indicate the unit should not be returned to service.
8. Check Servo Mode Response Without Patient Use
Place the warmer in Servo Mode only during controlled bench evaluation, using an approved connected probe and following departmental testing practice.
Observe whether:
- Servo Mode accepts the probe input
- Heater output responds appropriately to the sensed temperature condition
- No probe-related, baby-temperature, high-temperature, or system-fail alarms remain active
The Resuscitaire Servo Mode uses a dual thermistor temperature probe and has a baby-temperature alarm condition of approximately ±1°C from the set point.
Expected outcome: Servo Mode recognizes the probe and operates without unresolved alarms. If normal function is restored after replacing the probe, complete required verification before returning the device to service.
9. Review Alarm Behavior and Final Device Status
Document any alarms or indications observed during testing, including:
- Probe alarm
- Baby temperature alarm
- High temperature alarm
- System Fail indication
- Whether alarms cleared after probe replacement or reconnection
- Whether Servo Mode remained functional during bench evaluation
Expected outcome: The device either passes evaluation with a confirmed accessory correction or remains faulted and requires repair evaluation.
If the Problem Persists
If the fault continues after confirming safe setup, reseating the connection, visually inspecting the port, and testing with a known-good compatible skin temperature probe, common external causes have been ruled out.
The issue is likely internal to the probe input circuit, temperature-monitoring function, servo-control system, or controller module.
The device should be:
- Removed from service
- Labeled Out of Service
- Sent for repair or bench evaluation according to departmental procedure
Do not return the warmer to clinical use with an unresolved probe or servo-control fault. Knowing when to stop and escalate is proper troubleshooting.
Clinical Use Tip
Never troubleshoot a servo-control or skin temperature probe fault while an infant depends on the affected warmer for thermal support. Move the patient to safe alternate equipment first, then evaluate the warmer away from patient use.
Work Order Documentation (CCR Method)
CCR = Complaint, Cause, Resolution
Complaint
What was reported by the clinical staff.
Example:
"Labor and Delivery reported that the Drager Resuscitaire displayed a probe fault and would not regulate temperature properly in Servo Mode."
Cause
What was observed during troubleshooting.
Example:
"Skin temperature probe produced an intermittent reading, and the fault cleared when tested with a known-good compatible probe."
Resolution
What action was taken.
Example:
"Removed the defective skin temperature probe from use, replaced it with a functional probe, verified stable temperature display and Servo Mode operation, and returned the warmer to service."
Helpful Details to Include (If Known)
- Patient removed from affected warmer before troubleshooting
- Operating mode when fault occurred: Pre-Warm, Manual, or Servo
- Probe alarm, baby-temperature alarm, high-temperature alarm, or System Fail observed
- Condition of probe cable and connector
- Probe connection reseated
- Known-good compatible probe tested
- Temperature reading behavior before and after probe replacement
- Servo Mode behavior after correction
- Any visible damage, unusual heat, odor, or contamination
- Final device status: returned to service or removed from service
Final Thought
Skin temperature and servo-control faults must be handled conservatively because accurate thermal regulation is essential for neonatal safety. Rule out the probe and external connection first, verify operation only away from patient use, and escalate promptly when the warmer cannot be proven safe. Clear CCR documentation protects both patient care and future troubleshooting.
That is successful troubleshooting.