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What This Guide Helps With
This guide assists Clinical Engineering in troubleshooting situations where the CARESCAPE B850 displays inaccurate or failed cardiac output (CO) calculations. Symptoms may include inconsistent CO readings, error messages during CO measurement, or no displayed value. Most issues stem from external factors like sensor misplacement, connection errors, or configuration issues rather than internal hardware failure.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting
Verify Patient Connection and Sensor Placement
- Check that the thermodilution catheter, arterial line, or other CO sensors are correctly placed and secured.
- Ensure the sensor or catheter is patent, free of kinks, and not occluded.
- Why: Poor contact or blocked lines are a leading cause of calculation errors.
Inspect ECG and Pressure Waveforms
- Confirm that ECG leads and arterial pressure lines are providing stable, artifact-free signals.
- Look for irregular rhythms or damping in the waveform that may prevent proper CO calculation.
- Why: Cardiac output algorithms rely on clean hemodynamic signals.
Check CO Module or Sensor Connections
- Ensure all connectors are fully seated and cables are undamaged.
- Swap with a known working sensor or cable if available.
- Why: Faulty connections often produce intermittent or erroneous readings.
Review Monitor Settings
- Confirm the CO measurement method selected matches the sensor type (thermodilution vs. pulse contour).
- Verify patient-specific parameters (weight, height, temperature) are entered correctly.
- Why: Misconfigured parameters can skew calculations or trigger errors.
Reboot Monitor if Necessary
- Power cycle the monitor to clear any temporary software glitches.
- Observe if CO calculation resumes normally.
- Why: Software errors can cause intermittent calculation failures without hardware faults.
If the Problem Persists
If external checks and configuration corrections do not resolve the issue:
- Remove the monitor from service.
- Label as Out of Service.
- Escalate to GE Biomedical Service or your internal repair bench for evaluation.
Note: Recognizing when external troubleshooting is insufficient is key to patient safety and device integrity.
Clinical Use Tip
Never troubleshoot CO calculation while the patient is dependent on the reading for therapy.
Move the patient to an alternate monitor if immediate monitoring is needed.
Only proceed with troubleshooting once patient safety is ensured.
Work Order Documentation (CCR Method)
CCR = Complaint, Cause, Resolution
Complaint
What was reported by the clinical staff.
Example:
“Cardiac output values are showing as ‘Error’ or appear inaccurate during routine monitoring.”
Cause
What was observed during troubleshooting.
Example:
“Observed catheter was patent but ECG and arterial line signals were damped; connections verified. Monitor software reset did not resolve error.”
Resolution
What action was taken.
Example:
“Device removed from service and sent for bench evaluation; patient transferred to alternate monitor.”
Helpful Details to Include
- Patient waveform quality (ECG, arterial line)
- Sensor/catheter type and placement
- CO measurement method selected
- Any error codes displayed
- Final device status
Final Thought
Accurate cardiac output measurement is critical to patient care. Stepwise, logic-based troubleshooting helps identify external and configuration-related issues first, ensuring patient safety and proper escalation when internal repair is required. Documenting each step clearly provides traceability and supports effective maintenance practices.
That is successful troubleshooting.