On this page
Asset Type
Manufacturer
Model
What This Guide Helps With
Troubleshoots display, control-response, indicator, alarm-audio, power, obstruction, accessory, and software symptoms affecting safe operation.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting
1. Protect the Patient and Maintain Therapy
A high-flow oxygen system with an unreliable display, control interface, or audible alarm should not remain in clinical use. Transfer the patient to appropriate verified respiratory support before troubleshooting.
Expected outcome: Patient therapy and alarm coverage are maintained independently of the affected device.
2. Confirm Which Function Has Failed
Determine whether the screen is blank, frozen, unreadable, intermittently responsive, or whether controls fail to respond. For alarm complaints, determine whether visual indication occurs without audible output or whether the entire alarm function appears abnormal.
Expected outcome: The affected user-interface or alarm function is clearly identified.
3. Verify Stable Power
Confirm the device has reliable AC power and inspect battery status where applicable. A marginal power connection can cause intermittent display or control behavior.
Expected outcome: The complaint is not caused by loss or instability of external power.
4. Inspect the Display and Controls Externally
Check for physical damage, contamination, cracked surfaces, liquid exposure, labels or protective materials obstructing controls, or anything pressing continuously against the user interface.
Do not disassemble the display or control panel.
Expected outcome: No external physical condition interferes with normal operation.
5. Clean External Control Surfaces if Appropriate
If contamination is present, clean the exterior according to approved device cleaning procedures and allow it to dry as required before retesting.
Expected outcome: Controls respond normally if contamination was preventing proper operation.
6. Perform a Normal Restart
With the device removed from patient use, shut it down and restart it using normal operating controls. Observe startup, display behavior, indicators, and alarm audio.
Do not use undocumented reset procedures.
Expected outcome: The display and controls initialize normally and remain responsive.
7. Check Relevant Settings
Verify that user-accessible display and audio settings have not been unintentionally changed where such controls are available. Do not disable required alarms or modify restricted configuration settings.
Expected outcome: A user-accessible setting is not causing the reported symptom.
8. Verify Alarm Operation
Using an approved functional test method, verify that applicable alarm conditions produce the expected visual and audible notification. Do not deliberately create unsafe clinical conditions to test alarms.
Expected outcome: Audible and visual alarm functions operate reliably. If alarm audio remains absent or intermittent, remove the device from service.
9. Observe for Intermittent Failure
Allow the system to operate under a controlled test condition while checking display response and controls. Do not return an intermittently freezing or unresponsive interface to clinical use simply because it restarted once.
Expected outcome: Controls, display, and alarms remain consistently functional.
10. Complete Final Functional Verification
Verify startup, airflow, controls, display, audible and visual alarms, humidification, and overall operation.
Expected outcome: All critical user-interface and alarm functions work reliably. Troubleshooting can stop and the unit may be returned to service.
11. Escalate Persistent Interface or Alarm Failure
If stable power, external condition, restart, and settings have been checked but the display, controls, or alarm audio remain unreliable, stop external troubleshooting.
Expected outcome: The Airvo 3 is removed from service for qualified technical evaluation.
If the Problem Persists
External power, control-surface obstruction, contamination, settings, and normal restart have been ruled out. Persistent symptoms may involve the display assembly, control interface, alarm sounder, electronics, software, or another internal service-level function.
Remove the device from service, label it Out of Service, and send it for repair or bench evaluation. Use appropriate Fisher & Paykel Healthcare documentation and approved test equipment. Internal interface or alarm repair should be performed only by qualified personnel.
After repair, verify all user controls, visible indications, audible alarms, airflow, humidification, and overall device function before return to clinical use.
Clinical Use Tip
An Airvo 3 with intermittent alarm audio is not safe for clinical use even when airflow appears normal; alarm reliability is part of the device's required function.
Work Order Documentation (CCR Method)
CCR = Complaint, Cause, Resolution
Complaint
What was reported by the clinical staff.
Example:
"Clinical staff reported that the Airvo 3 screen was operating but alarm audio could not be heard during setup."
Cause
What was observed during troubleshooting.
Example:
"Clinical Engineering confirmed the audible alarm function remained absent after verifying power, settings, and normal restart."
Resolution
What action was taken.
Example:
"Clinical Engineering removed the device from service, labeled it Out of Service, and sent it for qualified repair and complete alarm verification before return to use."
Helpful Details to Include (If Known)
- Blank, frozen, or intermittent display behavior
- Control-response symptoms
- Audible versus visual alarm behavior
- AC and battery status
- Evidence of contamination or liquid exposure
- Physical damage
- Settings observed
- Restart results
- Alarm functional-test results
- Final device status
Final Thought
Display and alarm functions are safety-critical. Verify external power, controls, settings, and reproducibility first, but do not return a device with intermittent controls or unreliable alarms to service. Escalate appropriately and document the final disposition.
That is successful troubleshooting.