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What This Guide Helps With
Troubleshooting absent, dampened, unstable, or inaccurate arterial pressure waveform display from external setup, cable, sensor, or patient connection issues.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting
Ensure Patient Safety First
Do not troubleshoot the EV1000 setup on an active patient if the displayed arterial pressure is being used for clinical decision-making and appears unreliable.
Action:
- Notify clinical staff that the arterial pressure reading may be inaccurate.
- Have staff confirm patient status using another approved method if needed.
- Do not disconnect invasive pressure lines unless clinical staff are managing the line.
- If monitoring is clinically required, move the patient to another working monitor setup or alternate pressure monitoring method.
Expected outcome: Patient care continues without relying on an unverified invasive pressure reading.
Why it matters: An inaccurate arterial pressure waveform can lead to incorrect treatment decisions.
Verify the Reported Problem
Confirm whether the issue is no waveform, incorrect numeric pressure, dampened waveform, noisy waveform, or intermittent signal.
Action:
- Observe the EV1000 display.
- Confirm whether the arterial pressure parameter is missing, flatlined, noisy, dampened, or numerically inaccurate.
- Ask clinical staff when the problem started:
- During setup
- After patient movement
- After cable change
- After sensor replacement
- During transport or repositioning
- Check for visible alarms, prompts, or sensor messages.
Expected outcome: The failure mode is clearly identified before parts are swapped.
Why it matters: A missing waveform and an inaccurate waveform can have different causes.
Confirm the Patient Line and Pressure Source
Verify that the arterial line and pressure setup are clinically valid before focusing on the EV1000 hardware.
Action:
- Have clinical staff confirm the arterial line is patent.
- Confirm the pressure tubing is connected to the correct patient line.
- Check for obvious kinks, clamps, air bubbles, loose connections, or blood backup.
- Confirm the flush bag has pressure and fluid.
- Confirm the stopcock position is correct for monitoring.
Expected outcome: The patient pressure source is present and able to transmit pressure.
Why it matters: A monitor cannot display a reliable waveform if the pressure line is blocked, clamped, disconnected, or improperly positioned.
If this resolves the issue, document the line/setup problem and stop.
Check the Edwards Sensor or Transducer Setup
Inspect the connected FloTrac, Acumen IQ, or compatible pressure sensor setup.
Action:
- Confirm the sensor is the correct type for the EV1000 setup being used.
- Check that the sensor is fully connected to the pressure cable.
- Inspect the sensor connector for fluid, bent pins, cracked housing, or contamination.
- Confirm the sensor is not expired, damaged, or previously used inappropriately.
- Replace the sensor if clinical staff agree and the current sensor is suspect.
Expected outcome: The EV1000 recognizes the pressure sensor and displays a usable arterial pressure waveform.
Why it matters: Sensor recognition and signal quality depend on a clean, secure, compatible sensor connection.
If this resolves the issue, document the sensor issue and stop.
Check the Pressure Cable Connection
Inspect the cable between the EV1000 and the pressure sensor.
Action:
- Confirm the pressure cable is connected securely at both ends.
- Disconnect and reconnect the cable to ensure it is fully seated.
- Inspect the cable for cuts, crushed sections, bent pins, loose strain reliefs, or fluid contamination.
- Gently flex the cable near the connectors while observing for signal dropout.
- Swap with a known-good compatible pressure cable if available.
Expected outcome: A known-good cable restores a stable waveform and accurate pressure display.
Why it matters: Intermittent pressure waveforms are often caused by worn cables or poor connector seating.
If this resolves the issue, document the cable failure and stop.
Confirm Correct Pressure Channel or Parameter Selection
Verify that the pressure source is assigned and displayed correctly on the EV1000.
Action:
- Check that the arterial pressure parameter is selected or active on the display.
- Confirm the correct pressure input is being viewed.
- Make sure the waveform is not hidden, minimized, or assigned to a different display area.
- Confirm the patient monitoring mode and connected sensor type match the intended setup.
Expected outcome: The arterial pressure waveform appears in the expected display location.
Why it matters: A connected sensor may appear missing if the wrong parameter, screen layout, or channel is selected.
If this resolves the issue, document the configuration issue and stop.
Verify Leveling and Zeroing
If the waveform is present but the numeric pressure appears inaccurate, verify the pressure system was leveled and zeroed correctly.
Action:
- Have clinical staff level the transducer to the appropriate reference point.
- Open the stopcock to air as clinically appropriate.
- Perform a zeroing procedure according to facility practice.
- Return the stopcock to the monitoring position.
- Confirm the waveform and numeric values after zeroing.
Expected outcome: The pressure values become clinically reasonable and waveform baseline is corrected.
Why it matters: Incorrect leveling or zeroing can cause pressure values to read falsely high or low even when the monitor is functioning properly.
If this resolves the issue, document the leveling or zeroing correction and stop.
Assess Waveform Quality
If the waveform is present but dampened, over-dynamic, noisy, or inconsistent, focus on the fluid path and setup before suspecting monitor failure.
Action:
- Ask clinical staff to check for air bubbles in the tubing.
- Check for kinked, loose, or excessively long pressure tubing.
- Confirm the flush device functions correctly.
- Confirm the pressure bag is inflated properly.
- Check whether patient movement, line position, or catheter condition is affecting the waveform.
- Compare against another monitor or pressure module if available.
Expected outcome: The waveform becomes sharp, consistent, and clinically usable after correcting the external setup.
Why it matters: Poor waveform quality is commonly caused by line, tubing, catheter, or transducer setup issues rather than the EV1000 itself.
If this resolves the issue, document the setup correction and stop.
Check the EV1000 Hardware and Module Connections
If external setup appears correct, inspect the EV1000 platform and connected modules.
Action:
- Confirm the EV1000 is powered normally.
- Check for system messages related to pressure cable, sensor, module, or communication failure.
- Reseat external modules or connection points if applicable.
- Inspect the EV1000 ports for damage, bent pins, looseness, or fluid intrusion.
- Test the same cable and sensor setup on another compatible monitor if available.
- Test the EV1000 with a known-good compatible setup if available.
Expected outcome: The fault follows either the external setup or remains with the EV1000 platform.
Why it matters: Swapping known-good components helps separate a cable/sensor issue from a monitor or port failure.
Perform a Safe Functional Check
After any correction, verify the monitor is stable before returning it to use.
Action:
- Confirm the EV1000 recognizes the sensor.
- Confirm the arterial pressure waveform is present.
- Confirm the numeric pressure updates appropriately.
- Confirm no active sensor, cable, or pressure-related alarms remain.
- Confirm the display remains stable after gentle cable movement.
- Have clinical staff confirm the pressure value is clinically reasonable.
Expected outcome: The EV1000 displays a stable arterial waveform and usable pressure values.
Why it matters: A one-time signal return is not enough if the cable, sensor, or connector is intermittent.
If this resolves the issue, return the device to service according to facility policy.
If the Problem Persists
If the patient line, pressure tubing, sensor, cable, zeroing, leveling, display configuration, and known-good external accessories have been ruled out, the issue is likely internal to the EV1000 platform, connected module, or input port.
The device should be removed from service, labeled Out of Service, and sent for repair, bench evaluation, or vendor service.
Do not continue troubleshooting beyond safe external checks if the monitor cannot reliably display invasive pressure data. Knowing when to stop is proper troubleshooting.
Clinical Use Tip
Do not troubleshoot an unreliable invasive pressure display while it is actively guiding patient care. Have clinical staff move the patient to another monitor or verify pressure through another approved method first. Clinical Engineering should support the equipment issue only after patient safety is protected.
Work Order Documentation (CCR Method)
CCR = Complaint, Cause, Resolution
Complaint
What was reported by the clinical staff.
Example:
"Staff reported that the EV1000 Clinical Platform was not displaying an arterial pressure waveform during patient setup."
Cause
What was observed during troubleshooting.
Example:
"Found the pressure cable not fully seated at the Edwards pressure sensor connection; waveform returned after reseating and securing the connection."
Resolution
What action was taken.
Example:
"Reseated pressure cable, inspected connector for damage, verified stable arterial waveform and numeric pressure display, and returned unit to service."
Helpful Details to Include (If Known)
- Patient removed from affected monitoring setup before troubleshooting
- Exact symptom reported: no waveform, dampened waveform, noisy waveform, or inaccurate value
- Sensor type used, such as FloTrac or Acumen IQ if applicable
- Cable inspected, reseated, or swapped
- Sensor replaced or verified
- Pressure bag and tubing checked
- Stopcock position verified by clinical staff
- Line leveling and zeroing confirmed
- EV1000 alarms or messages observed
- Ports checked for damage or fluid intrusion
- Known-good cable or sensor tested
- Final device status
Final Thought
Troubleshooting an EV1000 arterial pressure issue should move from patient safety to the pressure line, sensor, cable, setup, zeroing, and display configuration before suspecting internal monitor failure. A stable waveform and reasonable numeric pressure must be confirmed before the device is trusted for patient monitoring. Clear CCR documentation protects the patient, the clinical team, and the technician.
That is successful troubleshooting.