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What This Guide Helps With
Troubleshoots reported circuit leak or integrity failures caused by tubing, chamber, interface, connection, setup, or accessory problems.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting
1. Protect the Patient and Maintain Therapy
Do not disconnect or manipulate a patient circuit while the patient depends on it. Transfer the patient to appropriate verified respiratory support before troubleshooting a suspected circuit leak.
Expected outcome: Troubleshooting can proceed without interrupting required patient therapy.
2. Confirm the Exact Failure
Determine whether staff observed an actual airflow leak, unstable therapy, a device message, inability to complete a setup check, or another symptom described as a "leak test failure."
Record the displayed message and installed circuit components.
Expected outcome: The exact failure is identified rather than assuming all low-flow conditions are caused by a leak.
3. Inspect the Breathing Tube and Patient Interface
Examine the heated breathing tube, connectors, patient interface, adapters, and other externally accessible gas-path components for disconnection, cracks, tears, kinks, loose fittings, or improper assembly.
Expected outcome: All respiratory components are intact and correctly connected. If reseating or replacing a defective external component restores normal operation, troubleshooting can stop after verification.
4. Inspect the Humidifier Chamber Installation
Verify that the approved humidifier chamber is correctly installed and seated and that its connections are secure. Look for visible damage, incorrect assembly, or leakage.
Do not alter chamber components or seals.
Expected outcome: The chamber is correctly installed without visible leakage or damage.
5. Verify the Correct Circuit and Accessories
Confirm that the breathing tube, interface, chamber, and adapters are compatible with the configured Airvo 3 setup and have not been mixed with incorrect or damaged accessories.
Expected outcome: The device is configured with the intended compatible external components.
6. Check for Kinks, Obstructions, and Poor Positioning
Inspect the full accessible tubing path. Correct sharp bends, compression, trapped tubing, excessive tension, or positioning that prevents secure connections.
Expected outcome: The circuit remains open, properly routed, and securely connected.
7. Substitute Suspect External Components
When appropriate, replace the suspect breathing tube, chamber, adapter, or interface with a known-good approved compatible component. Change one variable at a time.
Expected outcome: A failed accessory is isolated if the condition disappears with the known-good component. Replace the defective accessory and continue to final verification.
8. Repeat the Applicable Functional Check
With the patient disconnected and the circuit correctly assembled, repeat the normal setup or functional check specified for the device. Do not bypass alarms or force acceptance of a failed check.
Expected outcome: The device completes the applicable circuit/setup verification and delivers stable flow.
9. Verify Functional Performance
Confirm stable airflow, appropriate humidification operation, normal alarm function, and absence of unintended leaks before returning the unit to clinical use.
Expected outcome: The Airvo 3 and complete external gas path function reliably. Troubleshooting can stop.
10. Escalate an Unresolved Failure
If the condition persists with correctly assembled known-good compatible external components, stop external troubleshooting. A device-side sensing, flow-generation, connection, or control problem may require service evaluation.
Expected outcome: The device is removed from clinical use for qualified evaluation.
If the Problem Persists
External tubing, chamber, interfaces, adapters, positioning, and assembly problems have been ruled out. A continuing circuit integrity problem may involve device-side flow sensing, gas-path connections, control functions, or another internal service-level condition.
Remove the Airvo 3 from service, label it Out of Service, and send it for repair or bench evaluation using appropriate Fisher & Paykel Healthcare documentation and approved test equipment. Internal pneumatic or electronic repair should be performed only by qualified personnel.
Complete applicable functional, alarm, flow, humidification, and return-to-service testing after repair. Knowing when a problem is no longer an external circuit issue is part of proper troubleshooting.
Clinical Use Tip
When exchanging an Airvo 3 circuit, maintain the patient's prescribed respiratory support using an appropriate verified alternative until the replacement setup is confirmed ready.
Work Order Documentation (CCR Method)
CCR = Complaint, Cause, Resolution
Complaint
What was reported by the clinical staff.
Example:
"Clinical staff reported the Airvo 3 would not operate normally and appeared to have a leak in the patient circuit."
Cause
What was observed during troubleshooting.
Example:
"Clinical Engineering found the heated breathing tube connection was not fully seated at the device."
Resolution
What action was taken.
Example:
"Clinical Engineering reseated the tubing, verified stable airflow and normal device operation, and completed functional testing before return to service."
Helpful Details to Include (If Known)
- Exact message or reported leak symptom
- Breathing tube condition
- Chamber installation
- Interface and adapter configuration
- Loose or disconnected fittings
- Kinks or obstructions
- Known-good components substituted
- Results of repeated setup checks
- Final flow and alarm verification
- Final device status
Final Thought
Circuit problems should be approached from the outside inward: protect the patient, inspect assembly and accessories, substitute known-good components when appropriate, and verify the full system before assuming an internal failure. Escalate persistent faults and document the evidence clearly.
That is successful troubleshooting.