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What This Guide Helps With
Troubleshoots charging and reduced battery runtime caused by AC power, connection, charging conditions, battery state, or service-level battery problems.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting
1. Protect the Patient and Maintain Anesthesia Capability
Do not depend on a Flow-c with questionable battery performance during patient care or transport between power sources. Maintain AC power when possible and use another verified anesthesia system if reliable backup power cannot be assured.
Expected outcome: Patient support does not depend on an unreliable battery.
2. Confirm the Reported Battery Condition
Determine whether the battery does not indicate charging, loses charge unusually quickly, cannot support the machine when AC is removed, or produces a battery-related message. Record the observed battery indication and circumstances.
Expected outcome: The complaint is narrowed to charging failure, reduced runtime, or loss of battery operation.
3. Verify Reliable AC Power
Confirm that the machine is connected to a verified functioning receptacle and that the power cord is securely seated. Check whether the machine indicates that external power is present.
Expected outcome: The Flow-c recognizes reliable AC power. If normal charging resumes after correcting the power source or connection, continue monitoring and stop troubleshooting after verification.
4. Inspect the External Power Path
Inspect the power cord, plug, accessible connector, and strain relief for damage or intermittent connection. Correct loose external connections and remove damaged cords or equipment from use according to facility procedure.
Expected outcome: The charging system receives stable external power without an obvious external defect.
5. Allow an Appropriate Charging Opportunity
If the machine has been stored, unplugged, or deeply discharged, leave it connected to AC under normal approved conditions and observe whether its battery status changes. Do not infer battery failure solely from a previously discharged state.
Expected outcome: Battery status progresses toward a usable charge. If charging behavior returns to normal, verify battery operation and stop troubleshooting.
6. Consider Environmental and Storage Conditions
Determine whether the machine was recently exposed to unusual temperature, prolonged storage, repeated unplugged use, or frequent battery operation. Allow the machine to return to an appropriate clinical environment before evaluating battery behavior.
Expected outcome: Battery performance is assessed under normal operating conditions rather than immediately after adverse storage or environmental exposure.
7. Compare Battery Behavior Under Controlled Conditions
With the machine out of patient use, observe whether it remains operational when transferred from verified AC power to battery operation as permitted by normal testing procedures. Do not conduct prolonged discharge testing unless required by approved service procedures.
Expected outcome: Battery operation is stable and consistent with the machine's normal condition. Unexpected shutdown or rapid depletion requires escalation.
8. Perform Final Functional Verification
After any corrective action, verify AC recognition, charging indication, battery transition behavior, startup, alarms, and required functional checks before return to service.
Expected outcome: The Flow-c operates normally on AC and demonstrates reliable backup-power behavior appropriate for return to service.
If the Problem Persists
If reliable AC power, cord connections, charging opportunity, and environmental conditions have been verified and the battery still will not charge or demonstrates clearly abnormal runtime, a battery, charging-system, power-management, or related service-level condition may be present.
Remove the machine from service, label it Out of Service, and send it for bench evaluation. Battery replacement, charging-system repair, or internal electrical work should be performed only by qualified personnel using appropriate manufacturer documentation and approved test equipment.
Complete required electrical, functional, and battery-related return-to-service checks before clinical use. Stopping after external causes have been ruled out prevents an unreliable backup-power system from being placed back into service.
Clinical Use Tip
Do not assume AC operation makes a weak anesthesia-machine battery acceptable; backup power must be dependable before the machine returns to clinical use.
Work Order Documentation (CCR Method)
CCR = Complaint, Cause, Resolution
Complaint
What was reported by the clinical staff.
Example:
"OR staff reported the Getinge Flow-c battery was not charging while the machine was connected to wall power."
Cause
What was observed during troubleshooting.
Example:
"Clinical Engineering found the AC power cord was not fully seated at the machine, preventing consistent external-power recognition."
Resolution
What action was taken.
Example:
"Clinical Engineering secured the power connection, verified charging indication and battery transition behavior, and completed functional testing before return to service."
Helpful Details to Include (If Known)
- Battery indication or message
- Whether charging was indicated
- AC-power recognition
- Outlet-test result
- Power-cord condition
- Recent storage or prolonged unplugged period
- Battery behavior when AC was removed
- Any unexpected shutdown
- Results after corrective action
- Final device status
Final Thought
Reliable battery performance begins with verifying the external AC source and charging path before assuming battery failure. Protect the patient, test the backup-power function appropriately, escalate abnormal behavior, and clearly document the final verification.
That is successful troubleshooting.