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Asset Type
Electrocardiograph (EKG) Machine
Manufacturer
Model
What This Guide Helps With
Troubleshooting incorrect date or time, clock drift, or failed network synchronization caused by settings, connectivity, time-source, or internal clock problems.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting
1. Protect Patient Record Accuracy
Do not transmit or finalize an ECG with an incorrect acquisition date or time without following the facility-approved correction process.
Notify clinical staff of the timestamp issue.
Verify the actual current date and time from an approved source.
Prevent duplicate ECGs created solely to correct a timestamp.
Document any patient studies acquired while the clock was incorrect.
Expected outcome: Incorrect timestamps are recognized before they cause patient-record, interpretation, or legal-documentation errors.
2. Confirm the Exact Clock Problem
Determine whether:
- The date is incorrect.
- The time is incorrect.
- The time zone or daylight-saving behavior appears wrong.
- The clock resets after power-off.
- The clock drifts gradually.
- Network synchronization fails.
- Multiple devices show the same discrepancy.
Expected outcome: The problem is defined as manual-setting error, drift, reset, time-zone issue, or network synchronization failure.
3. Compare With an Approved Time Source
Compare the MAC 5500 HD clock with the facility’s approved reference.
Record:
- Device date and time
- Correct date and time
- Amount and direction of the difference
- Whether the difference changes after restart
Expected outcome: The magnitude and pattern of the time error are documented accurately.
4. Check Network Connectivity
If the device normally receives network time:
- Confirm wired or wireless network connection.
- Verify the device can communicate through its normal clinical network.
- Check whether MUSE transmission is also affected.
- Compare with another device on the same network.
Expected outcome: Network communication is confirmed or identified as the reason synchronization cannot occur.
5. Check Whether Multiple Devices Are Affected
Review another MAC system or network-connected clinical device in the same area.
If several devices show the same error, contact IT or the time-server administrator.
If only one MAC 5500 HD is affected, continue device-level troubleshooting.
Expected outcome: A local device problem is separated from an infrastructure or time-server problem.
6. Restart the Electrocardiograph
When no ECG is being acquired, saved, or transmitted:
- Shut down normally.
- Restart the device.
- Recheck the displayed date and time.
- Observe whether network synchronization occurs after connection is restored.
Expected outcome: The clock corrects and remains stable after restart, or the error repeats consistently.
7. Verify Authorized Date, Time, and Time-Zone Settings
Qualified personnel may review normal authorized settings.
Confirm the configured time zone is appropriate.
Confirm daylight-saving configuration aligns with facility policy.
Do not alter restricted system, network, certificate, or time-source settings without authorization.
Record the original settings before any approved change.
Expected outcome: Incorrect authorized settings are corrected and the displayed time matches the approved reference.
8. Evaluate Clock Retention
After setting or synchronizing the clock:
- Shut down the device normally.
- Disconnect AC power for a controlled period when appropriate.
- Restart the unit.
- Recheck the date and time.
- Do not open the device or replace an internal clock battery without approved service documentation.
Expected outcome: The device retains the correct clock. Failure to retain it indicates a service-level problem.
9. Verify Record Timestamps and MUSE Alignment
Use an approved test ECG.
Confirm the acquisition timestamp on the MAC 5500 HD.
Transmit the test ECG.
Confirm the timestamp shown in MUSE.
Verify device, MUSE, and reference time agree closely enough for the established workflow without inventing a tolerance.
Expected outcome: The complete ECG record displays the correct date and time locally and in MUSE.
10. Document Potentially Affected Patient Records
If ECGs were acquired while the clock was incorrect:
- Identify the affected time period.
- Notify the appropriate clinical, MUSE, or health-information team.
- Do not independently alter finalized patient records.
- Follow the approved correction or annotation process.
Expected outcome: Potential record discrepancies are communicated and managed through the proper clinical documentation process.
If the Problem Persists
Network connectivity, authorized settings, restart, time zone, and infrastructure causes have been ruled out. The remaining possibilities may include internal clock retention failure, system-board timekeeping fault, corrupted configuration, failed time synchronization service, or certificate-related communication problems.
The device should be:
- Removed from service if accurate timestamps cannot be assured
- Labeled Out of Service
- Sent for repair or bench evaluation
- Evaluated using appropriate GE Healthcare documentation and approved test equipment
- Repaired or configured only by qualified personnel
- Coordinate with IT and MUSE support when network time or record timestamps are affected. Return the device to service only after clock retention and end-to-end ECG timestamp verification pass.
- Knowing when to stop external troubleshooting is proper troubleshooting.
Clinical Use Tip
Incorrect ECG time can affect event correlation, treatment decisions, and legal documentation even when the waveform itself is accurate.
Work Order Documentation (CCR Method)
CCR = Complaint, Cause, Resolution
Complaint
What was reported by the clinical staff.
Example:
"Clinical staff reported that ECGs from the MAC 5500 HD displayed a time one hour earlier than the actual acquisition time."
Cause
What was observed during troubleshooting.
Example:
"Clinical Engineering found that the device time-zone setting did not match the facility’s approved configuration."
Resolution
What action was taken.
Example:
"Clinical Engineering corrected the authorized time-zone setting and verified matching timestamps on the device and a transmitted MUSE test record."
Helpful Details to Include (If Known)
- Displayed and actual date and time
- Amount of clock difference
- Time zone and daylight-saving status
- Wired or wireless connection status
- Other devices affected
- Clock behavior after restart
- Clock-retention test result
- Test ECG and MUSE timestamp
- Potential patient records affected
- Final device status
Final Thought
Treat date and time as part of the clinical record, verify network and settings before assuming hardware failure, protect affected ECGs, and escalate persistent clock-retention or synchronization faults appropriately.
That is successful troubleshooting.