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What This Guide Helps With
Troubleshoots transport transition or shutdown problems involving AC power, battery condition, connections, accessories, docking, or movement-related interruptions.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting
1. Protect the Patient Before Moving the IABP
Unexpected shutdown during transport can interrupt life-sustaining counterpulsation. If transport operation is unreliable, do not continue moving a dependent patient until a verified support plan is established.
Use another verified IABP or clinically appropriate alternative when necessary.
Expected outcome: The patient is not transported with unreliable circulatory support.
2. Confirm How the Failure Occurs
Determine whether shutdown occurs when AC power is disconnected, during docking or undocking, when entering the transport configuration, during movement, or after a period on battery.
Record battery indicators and displayed messages.
Expected outcome: The transition point associated with the failure is identified.
3. Verify AC Power and Charging Before Transport
Connect the Cardiosave to a known-good hospital-grade AC source and confirm normal power indication and charging behavior.
Inspect the power cord and plug for damage.
Expected outcome: AC operation is stable and the battery indicates normal charging. If a loose external power connection caused the issue, correct it, verify operation, and stop troubleshooting.
4. Check Battery Status
Review the available battery status indications. A battery showing poor charge acceptance, unexpectedly low capacity, or abnormal status should not be trusted for patient transport.
Do not assume displayed charge percentage alone proves adequate battery performance.
Expected outcome: Battery status is appropriate for controlled testing. Abnormal battery behavior requires removal from transport use.
5. Inspect External Battery and Power Connections
Check accessible battery seating, external power interfaces, connectors, docking points, and latches applicable to the Hybrid / Rescue configuration for incomplete engagement or physical damage.
Expected outcome: All accessible power-related interfaces are secure and undamaged. If reseating an external connection restores reliable transitions, verify repeatedly and stop troubleshooting.
6. Check for Movement-Related Intermittency
With the device off-patient, perform controlled movement while monitoring power status. Inspect whether cord strain, docking movement, vibration, or repositioning causes power interruption.
Expected outcome: Power remains stable during normal controlled movement. A movement-sensitive failure requires corrective action before clinical transport.
7. Test AC-to-Battery Transition Off-Patient
Using approved procedures, operate the Cardiosave under a controlled test load and transition from AC to battery operation.
Do not perform this test for the first time while the device is supporting a patient.
Expected outcome: The unit continues operating without rebooting or interrupting required functions. If transition is stable after correcting an external connection, troubleshooting can stop.
8. Verify Battery Operation Under Controlled Conditions
Assess whether battery operation remains stable for the approved functional test period using manufacturer procedures. Do not invent or impose an unsupported runtime threshold.
Expected outcome: The unit remains powered and functional throughout the required test. Unexpected shutdown indicates further service is required.
9. Perform Final Transport-Readiness Verification
Verify power transition, battery operation, controls, display, alarms, pump function, and all applicable transport-related checks before return to service.
Expected outcome: Multiple transitions are stable and no shutdown occurs. Troubleshooting can stop.
10. Escalate Any Unexplained Shutdown
If the Cardiosave shuts down, resets, or loses pumping during controlled testing after external power and battery connections are verified, remove it from service.
Expected outcome: A potentially serious internal power problem is escalated appropriately.
If the Problem Persists
External AC supply, battery seating, docking interfaces, connectors, and movement-related causes have been ruled out. Remaining possibilities include battery deterioration, internal power-management problems, charging-system faults, power-distribution issues, or other service-level conditions.
The device should be:
- Removed from service
- Labeled Out of Service
- Sent for repair or bench evaluation
- Evaluated using appropriate Getinge documentation and approved test equipment
- Repaired or battery components replaced only by qualified personnel
Complete required battery, power-transition, pump-operation, alarm, and electrical safety testing before return to service.
Knowing when to stop external troubleshooting is proper troubleshooting.
Clinical Use Tip
Never begin a patient transfer on an IABP with unresolved battery or power-transition concerns; verify transport operation before leaving the controlled care area.
Work Order Documentation (CCR Method)
CCR = Complaint, Cause, Resolution
Complaint
What was reported by the clinical staff.
Example:
"Clinical staff reported that the Cardiosave shut down when disconnected from AC power for transport."
Cause
What was observed during troubleshooting.
Example:
"Clinical Engineering found an external battery connection was not fully engaged."
Resolution
What action was taken.
Example:
"Clinical Engineering reseated the battery connection, verified repeated AC-to-battery transitions and stable operation during controlled testing, and returned the unit to service after required checks."
Helpful Details to Include (If Known)
- Point at which shutdown occurred
- AC power status
- Battery indication
- Charging behavior
- Power cord condition
- Battery and docking connection condition
- Whether movement reproduced the failure
- AC-to-battery test results
- Any reboot or loss of pumping
- Final device status
- Point at which shutdown occurred
- AC power status
- Battery indication
- Charging behavior
- Power cord condition
- Battery and docking connection condition
- Whether movement reproduced the failure
- AC-to-battery test results
- Any reboot or loss of pumping
- Final device status
Final Thought
Transport failures deserve a conservative response because loss of IABP power can immediately affect patient support. Verify AC power, batteries, external interfaces, and controlled transitions before suspecting internal failure, and remove any intermittently shutting-down unit from service.
That is successful troubleshooting.