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What This Guide Helps With
Troubleshooting inadequate or absent radiant heat output caused by power, operating mode, probe, obstruction, alarm, or external equipment conditions.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting
1. Ensure Patient Safety First
If an infant is occupying the warmer and heat output is inadequate, notify clinical staff immediately and transfer the patient to an approved functioning warmer or alternate thermal support device.
Do not perform troubleshooting while an infant remains dependent on a warmer with questionable heater output.
Expected outcome: The patient receives reliable thermal support before equipment evaluation begins.
Why it matters: The Giraffe Warmer provides controlled radiant heat for infants who may be unable to maintain body temperature independently.
2. Confirm the Reported Failure
With the unit removed from patient use, confirm whether the complaint is:
- No apparent radiant heat output.
- Heater output remains unexpectedly low.
- Heater output bar indicates power, but no warming is detected.
- Unit displays an alarm, system failure, or heater-related message.
Record the exact alarm message, displayed heater power percentage, operating mode, and when the failure occurs.
Expected outcome: The reported problem is verified and accurately documented before troubleshooting continues.
3. Inspect the Unit for Obvious Safety Concerns
Visually inspect the heater head, reflector area, bed surface, side panels, power cord, plug, and control panel for damage, contamination, loose components, unusual discoloration, burning odor, or evidence of overheating.
Confirm the heater path above the mattress is not blocked by covers, equipment, stored items, or accessories.
Expected outcome: No physical damage, obstruction, odor, or heat-related concern is present.
Stop if abnormal: If the unit has damage, unusual odor, visible overheating, or loose heater components, remove it from service without attempting operation.
4. Verify AC Power and Startup Operation
Confirm the power cord is fully seated at the warmer and plugged into a known-working hospital-grade outlet. Check that the mains power switch is on and that the display completes startup normally.
Test the outlet using an approved method or move the warmer to a verified working receptacle.
Expected outcome: The warmer powers on normally without power-related alarms or interruptions.
If resolved: If proper power restores expected operation, complete an operational verification before returning the unit to service.
5. Verify the Warmer Is in an Appropriate Heating Mode
Confirm the warmer is operating in Manual Mode or Baby Mode, not in a standby, interrupted, or alarm-limited state.
For troubleshooting off-patient, place the unit in Manual Mode according to facility practice and set a moderate heater power level sufficient to verify whether heater output responds. In Manual Mode, heater output is controlled by the selected heater power percentage; in Baby Mode, output is regulated using the connected skin temperature probe and selected temperature setting.
Expected outcome: The heater power indication responds to the selected Manual Mode setting and the heater begins producing detectable warmth.
If resolved: If the issue was caused by an incorrect mode or setting, document the finding and complete safety verification before release.
6. Check the Skin Temperature Probe Condition When Failure Occurs in Baby Mode
If the complaint occurred in Baby Mode, inspect the skin temperature probe and cable for damaged insulation, contamination, bent connector contacts, intermittent connection, or an incorrect/unrecognized probe.
Disconnect and reconnect the approved probe securely. When available, substitute a known-good compatible skin temperature probe to determine whether the original probe or cable caused the heating complaint.
Expected outcome: The warmer recognizes the skin probe without probe alarms and regulates heater output appropriately in Baby Mode.
If resolved: Replace the defective probe or accessory, document the cause, and verify normal operation.
7. Observe Heater Output and Alarm Behavior Off-Patient
With no patient in the warmer, observe whether the heater power display increases when heat is requested and whether warmth is produced at the mattress area without alarms or abnormal odor.
Do not touch the heater element or reflector area. Do not leave the warmer operating unattended during testing.
Expected outcome: The unit produces appropriate radiant warmth when commanded and does not generate heater, power, or system-failure alarms.
Stop if abnormal: If the display calls for heat but no warmth is produced, output is intermittent, or any heater/system fault appears, discontinue testing and remove the unit from service.
8. Perform the Approved Preoperational or Functional Checkout
After correcting any external issue, complete the applicable preoperational or functional checkout required by your department and the manufacturer’s instructions before returning the warmer to clinical use.
GE service information states that preoperational checkout must not be performed with a patient occupying the unit, and equipment that fails any portion of checkout must be removed from use and repaired.
Expected outcome: The warmer passes the required checkout and provides reliable heater output without active faults.
If the Problem Persists
If power, outlet condition, operating mode, settings, probe/accessory condition, visible obstructions, and external damage have been ruled out, the radiant heater output failure is likely related to an internal heater, power-control, sensing, wiring, or control-system fault.
The device should be:
- Removed from service.
- Labeled Out of Service.
- Sent for repair or bench evaluation according to departmental procedure.
Do not proceed into heater-head disassembly, internal power circuitry, or component-level repair during routine floor troubleshooting. Knowing when to stop and escalate is proper troubleshooting.
Clinical Use Tip
Never evaluate questionable heater output while an infant remains dependent on the warmer. Move the patient to reliable thermal support first, then test the Giraffe Warmer off-patient in a controlled setting.
Work Order Documentation (CCR Method)
CCR = Complaint, Cause, Resolution
Complaint
What was reported by the clinical staff.
Example:
"NICU staff reported that the GE Giraffe Warmer powered on but did not provide expected radiant heat during patient preparation."
Cause
What was observed during troubleshooting.
Example:
"Unit displayed commanded heater output in Manual Mode, but no detectable radiant warming occurred after confirming proper AC power, clear heater path, and normal external connections."
Resolution
What action was taken.
Example:
"Removed Giraffe Warmer from service, labeled unit Out of Service, and routed it for bench evaluation of the radiant heater and associated control circuitry."
Helpful Details to Include (If Known)
- Outlet tested and verified functional.
- Power cord and plug condition.
- Operating mode when failure occurred.
- Heater power percentage displayed.
- Skin temperature probe connected, reseated, or substituted.
- Alarm or system-failure message displayed.
- Indicator lights and startup behavior.
- Presence of unusual odor, discoloration, sound, or heat.
- Functional checkout result.
- Final device status.
Final Thought
An infant warmer with unreliable radiant heat output can quickly become a patient safety concern. Begin with external checks, verify the condition off-patient, and escalate promptly when dependable heat cannot be confirmed. Clear CCR documentation supports safe follow-up and efficient repair.
That is successful troubleshooting.