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What This Guide Helps With
Troubleshooting an Err processing error appearing during startup or temperature measurement before the thermometer is returned for repair.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting
Ensure Patient Safety First
Remove the thermometer from clinical use while the Err message is present.
Do not use the affected TAT-5000S for patient assessment until normal operation has been confirmed. Provide clinical staff with another known-working thermometer.
Expected outcome: Temperature assessment continues using reliable equipment while the affected unit is evaluated.
Why it matters: Exergen identifies Err as a processing error, and a thermometer displaying this condition cannot be trusted for clinical readings until the error clears.
Confirm the Exact Displayed Condition
Activate the thermometer and confirm that the display shows Err, rather than:
- bAtt for low battery
- Blank display for no or very low battery
- HI, LO, HI A, or LO A for temperature or ambient range conditions
Record whether Err occurs immediately at startup, only when the scan button is pressed, or intermittently during repeated attempts.
Expected outcome: The reported issue is confirmed as a processing error and not a different display diagnostic condition.
Restart the Thermometer
Allow the display to clear, then activate the thermometer again and attempt a test scan away from patient care.
If Err does not return and the thermometer completes a normal scan display sequence, proceed to functional verification before returning it to use.
If Err returns, continue troubleshooting.
Expected outcome: A temporary processing interruption may clear after restart.
Why it matters: The manufacturer’s display diagnostics instruction for Err begins with restarting the thermometer.
Inspect the Thermometer for External Damage or Contamination
Examine the device for:
- Evidence of being dropped or struck
- Cracked housing or damaged probe head
- Fluid intrusion or signs the device was submerged
- Corrosion or contamination in the battery compartment
- Heavy residue, moisture, or damage on the sensor lens
Do not use the thermometer if damage, fluid exposure, or electrical shock exposure is suspected.
Expected outcome: No visible external condition is present that would make continued evaluation unsafe or unreliable.
Why it matters: Exergen advises against use when the thermometer is damaged, exposed to temperature extremes, electrically shocked, immersed, or not working properly.
Verify Battery Condition and Connection
Open the battery compartment according to the device design and inspect the installed 9V battery and connector.
If the battery is weak, aged, loose, corroded, or of unknown condition, replace it with a new high-quality alkaline 9V battery. Reinstall the battery cover, then restart the thermometer.
If the unit starts normally and no longer displays Err, continue to functional verification.
Expected outcome: The thermometer powers up consistently without displaying Err.
Why it matters: Battery replacement is the only user-serviceable component identified by Exergen for the TAT-5000S series.
Check the Operating Environment
Confirm the thermometer has not been exposed to unusual temperature extremes or used in an inappropriate environment.
Move the device to a typical indoor clinical environment and allow it to stabilize before restarting it. The TAT-5000S operating environment is specified as 16 to 40°C / 61 to 104°F.
Also move the thermometer away from obvious sources of electromagnetic interference, including nearby high-frequency surgical equipment or MRI environments.
Expected outcome: The thermometer is evaluated under appropriate environmental conditions without nearby interference concerns.
Why it matters: Temperature extremes and electromagnetic disturbances can interfere with proper operation, and Exergen specifies environmental limitations for the device.
Clean the Sensor Lens if Contaminated
If the sensor lens is visibly dirty, greasy, or moist, clean it gently with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol, following facility cleaning practices and manufacturer guidance.
Do not use bleach or other cleaning solutions on the sensor lens, and do not immerse the thermometer.
Allow the lens to dry, then restart the thermometer and attempt a test scan.
Expected outcome: The sensor lens is clean and dry, and the unit completes a normal test scan without Err.
Why it matters: Lens contamination primarily affects reading accuracy, but it should be ruled out during external evaluation of a thermometer failing during measurement.
Perform a Safe Functional Check
With the thermometer off the patient-care workflow, activate the unit and confirm:
- The display initializes normally.
- The scanning indication appears during a test scan.
- A temperature result is displayed without Err.
- The error does not return during several repeat activations.
If available within department process, perform calibration verification using the appropriate Exergen calibration verification equipment before return to clinical use, especially if there is concern about accuracy after the event.
Expected outcome: The thermometer operates consistently without recurrence of the processing error.
Stop if the Err Message Returns or Persists
If Err remains after restart, battery replacement, environmental evaluation, cleaning, and basic functional checks, stop troubleshooting at the external level.
Do not open the device or attempt internal repair, adjustment, or recalibration.
Expected outcome: The device is prevented from returning to patient care with an unresolved processing fault.
Why it matters: Exergen states that persistent Err requires return for repair, and that internal service or adjustment is not to be performed by the user or facility technician beyond battery replacement.
If the Problem Persists
If the Err processing error continues after restarting the thermometer, installing a known-good battery, checking for damage or contamination, and evaluating the unit in an appropriate environment, common external causes have been ruled out.
The issue is likely internal to the thermometer’s processing, sensing, or self-calibration operation. The device should be:
- Removed from service
- Labeled Out of Service
- Sent for manufacturer repair or appropriate bench/vendor evaluation according to facility process
Knowing when to stop is proper troubleshooting. A persistent processing error is not appropriate for repeated clinical trial use or internal disassembly.
Clinical Use Tip
Do not troubleshoot an Err condition while the thermometer is needed for an active patient assessment. Provide staff with a known-working thermometer first, then evaluate the affected device only after it has been removed from clinical use.
Work Order Documentation (CCR Method)
CCR = Complaint, Cause, Resolution
Complaint
What was reported by the clinical staff.
Example:
"Clinical staff reported the Exergen TAT-5000S displays Err during startup and will not provide a usable temperature reading."
Cause
What was observed during troubleshooting.
Example:
"Confirmed persistent Err processing error after restart, known-good 9V battery replacement, external inspection, lens cleaning, and evaluation in a normal clinical environment."
Resolution
What action was taken.
Example:
"Removed thermometer from service, labeled unit Out of Service, and routed it for Exergen repair due to persistent processing error."
Helpful Details to Include (If Known)
- Exact display message: Err
- Whether error occurred at startup or during scanning
- Battery condition and whether a new alkaline 9V battery was installed
- Visible damage, drop history, fluid exposure, or corrosion
- Sensor lens condition and cleaning performed
- Environmental or electromagnetic interference concerns
- Whether normal scans were obtained after restart
- Whether the error recurred during repeated checks
- Final device status: returned to use or removed from service
Final Thought
An Err message on the Exergen TAT-5000S should be handled logically: protect the patient first, verify the exact display condition, rule out battery and external/environmental contributors, and escalate when the error persists. Accurate CCR documentation supports safe equipment decisions and prevents unreliable thermometers from returning to clinical use.
That is successful troubleshooting.