GE Healthcare Aisys

Asset Type

Anesthesia Machine

Manufacturer

GE Healthcare

Model

Aisys

What This Guide Helps With

This guide helps troubleshoot the BATTERY FAIL alarm on a GE Healthcare Aisys anesthesia machine. This alarm may appear with a No Battery Backup message and can indicate low battery voltage, failed charging, a weak battery, or a battery charge circuit issue.

A BATTERY FAIL condition should be treated as a backup power problem until proven otherwise. If AC power is lost, the machine may not have reliable battery support.

Step-by-Step Troubleshooting

Ensure Patient Safety First

• Do not troubleshoot this alarm on an active patient unless clinical staff have confirmed it is safe to do so.
• If the machine is in use, notify anesthesia staff immediately and follow the facility’s clinical escalation process.
• If reliable battery backup is required, remove the anesthesia machine from patient use until the alarm is resolved.
• Use another anesthesia machine or approved backup setup if the unit cannot pass checkout or backup power is unavailable.

Verify the Reported Alarm and Behavior

• Confirm the exact displayed alarm is BATTERY FAIL.
• Check whether the display also shows No Battery Backup.
• Note when the alarm appears: during power-on, during checkout, after being unplugged, after storage, or intermittently during normal operation.
• Look for related symptoms such as a missing battery icon, low battery indication, abnormal battery status, alarm returning after reboot, or checkout failure.

Check AC Power Source First

• Verify the Aisys is plugged into a known-good hospital-grade AC outlet.
• Confirm the power cord is fully seated at the wall outlet and at the anesthesia machine.
• Inspect the power cord for looseness, damage, overheating, or signs of wear.
• If available, test the outlet or move the unit to a known-good AC power source.

Leave the System Plugged In to Charge

• Keep the anesthesia machine connected to AC power long enough to allow the battery to charge.
• Allow extra charging time if the unit was unplugged, stored, moved, or unused for an extended period.
• After charging, restart the machine and check whether the BATTERY FAIL alarm clears.
• If the alarm clears, complete the required checkout before returning the unit to service.

Check Recent Power or Storage History

• Ask staff whether the machine was recently unplugged for a long period.
• Check whether the machine was stored without AC power.
• Ask whether the alarm appeared after a power outage or room move.
• Review whether the battery was recently replaced or serviced.

Inspect External Battery-Related Conditions

• Inspect accessible external areas for obvious damage near the battery compartment or power entry area.
• Check for a loose battery access cover if accessible without internal disassembly.
• Look for signs of fluid intrusion, burning smell, heat, discoloration, or physical damage.
• If heat, smell, fluid intrusion, or visible damage is found, stop routine troubleshooting and remove the unit from service.

Repeat Startup or Checkout After Charging

• Restart the system after the machine has remained connected to AC power.
• Repeat the appropriate startup or checkout process.
• Confirm whether the BATTERY FAIL alarm clears.
• Confirm whether the No Battery Backup message clears.
• Verify the battery status appears normal and no related battery alarms return.

Review Battery and Charging Information Through Approved Service Procedures

• If the alarm remains after charging and basic external checks, use approved Service Software only according to facility policy and authorized service procedures.
• Review battery charge circuit status and battery-related readings if available.
• Look for abnormal battery voltage, charge current, charge time, or charge circuit behavior.
• Do not perform internal repair or disassembly steps while the unit is connected to a patient or needed for active patient care.

Replace the Battery if Indicated

• If the battery does not recover after charging, replace the battery using the correct approved replacement part and facility procedure.
• After replacement, allow the battery to charge as required.
• Restart the system and repeat checkout.
• Confirm the BATTERY FAIL alarm clears and no related battery backup alarms return.

Stop When Resolved

• If the alarm clears after charging or battery replacement, document the corrective action.
• Complete the required anesthesia machine checkout.
• Verify the unit is safe for use.
• Return the anesthesia machine to service only after normal operation is confirmed.

If the Problem Persists

If the BATTERY FAIL alarm continues after verifying AC power, allowing the battery to charge, checking external conditions, reviewing recent power history, and replacing the battery if indicated, external and common battery-related causes have been ruled out.

A persistent BATTERY FAIL alarm may indicate an internal charging circuit, power management, wiring, or control issue.

The device should be removed from service, labeled Out of Service, and sent for repair or bench evaluation using approved service procedures and Service Software.

Do not keep an anesthesia machine in service with unresolved battery backup failure unless your facility has formally assessed and accepted the risk.

Clinical Use Tip

Never troubleshoot on an active patient. Move the patient to a backup device first. An anesthesia machine with no battery backup should not be relied on during a case where loss of AC power could affect ventilation, monitoring, or anesthetic delivery.

Work Order Documentation (CCR Method)

CCR = Complaint, Cause, Resolution

Complaint

What was reported by the clinical staff.

Example:
"GE Healthcare Aisys anesthesia machine reported BATTERY FAIL alarm with No Battery Backup message during startup or checkout."

Cause

What was observed during troubleshooting.

Example:
"BATTERY FAIL alarm confirmed. AC power source and power cord were checked. Battery was allowed to charge, but alarm persisted, indicating failed battery or possible charging circuit issue."

Resolution

What action was taken.

Example:
"Removed unit from patient use. Connected to known-good AC power, allowed battery to charge, restarted system, reviewed battery charge status as needed, and replaced battery if indicated. Unit passed checkout and was returned to service, or remained Out of Service for further repair."

Helpful Details to Include (If Known)

• Alarm behavior
• Accessories swapped
• Power behavior
• Environmental factors
• Indicator lights
• Final device status

Final Thought

BATTERY FAIL on the GE Healthcare Aisys should be treated as a real backup power issue until proven otherwise. Start with patient safety, confirm the displayed alarm, check AC power and charging time, then use approved service procedures only after simple causes have been ruled out. If the alarm persists, remove the machine from service and escalate appropriately.

That is successful troubleshooting.