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What This Guide Helps With
Use this guide when an installed process supply or steam source is unavailable, interrupted, or not delivered as expected during operation.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting
1. Protect Patient Care and Process Integrity
Do not release a load from a cycle when a required process supply was unavailable or delivery was uncertain. Redirect processing to another validated device as needed.
Expected outcome: Affected loads are controlled and unreliable processing is prevented.
2. Confirm Which Supply Is Affected
Determine whether the reported issue involves steam or another configured process supply associated with the installed system.
Document the cycle phase and any displayed message.
Expected outcome: The failed supply path is accurately identified before troubleshooting begins.
3. Verify Supply Availability
For steam-related complaints, confirm facility steam is available. For any installed consumable or chemical supply, verify the correct approved product is present and not empty, disconnected, expired, or visibly damaged.
Expected outcome: The required process supply is actually available. If replacing or reconnecting an approved external consumable resolves the issue, continue to verification and stop troubleshooting.
4. Inspect Accessible Connections
Check accessible tubing, hoses, couplings, containers, and fittings for kinks, disconnection, leakage, incorrect seating, or visible damage.
Do not bypass sensing or delivery controls.
Expected outcome: External connections are secure and unobstructed. If correcting a connection restores delivery, verify operation and stop troubleshooting.
5. Verify Facility Steam Path
Inspect accessible external steam controls and coordinate with Facilities to ensure the steam path is open and stable.
Expected outcome: Steam reaches the sterilizer normally. If Facilities corrects the source condition and the sterilizer operates normally, complete cycle verification.
6. Check for External Leakage
Look for steam leakage, fluid leakage, condensation, or supply loss around accessible connections.
Avoid contact with hot piping and do not disturb pressurized fittings.
Expected outcome: No unsafe external leakage is present. Any significant steam or chemical leak requires removal from service.
7. Verify Correct Configuration Without Alteration
Confirm the intended cycle and installed supply configuration are being used. Do not change protected service parameters or substitute unapproved consumables.
Expected outcome: The device is being operated under its approved configuration.
8. Run an Appropriate Test Cycle
After external supply and connection issues are resolved, run an approved test cycle and verify that the required supply is delivered and the cycle completes normally.
Expected outcome: Supply delivery is consistent and the cycle completes without related alarms. Troubleshooting can stop after successful verification.
9. Escalate Unresolved Delivery Failure
If the supply is present, external connections are intact, and facility utilities are normal but delivery still fails, remove the sterilizer from service.
Expected outcome: Internal delivery-system faults are referred for qualified evaluation.
If the Problem Persists
Common external supply and connection problems have been ruled out. Remaining causes may involve internal valves, pumps where applicable, sensing, steam-control components, blocked internal pathways, or control-system faults.
The sterilizer should be:
- Removed from service.
- Labeled Out of Service.
- Sent for qualified service evaluation.
- Evaluated using manufacturer documentation and approved test equipment.
- Repaired or configured only by qualified personnel.
- Required to complete applicable process verification before return to service.
Stopping before internal delivery-system disassembly is proper Clinical Engineering troubleshooting.
Clinical Use Tip
Never substitute an unapproved chemical, consumable, or alternate process configuration simply to make a sterilization cycle run.
Work Order Documentation (CCR Method)
CCR = Complaint, Cause, Resolution
Complaint
What was reported by the clinical staff.
Example:
"Sterile Processing reported the Getinge GSS67H would not proceed normally because steam delivery was unavailable."
Cause
What was observed during troubleshooting.
Example:
"Clinical Engineering confirmed the sterilizer was functional but found the external facility steam supply was unavailable."
Resolution
What action was taken.
Example:
"Facilities restored steam service, and Clinical Engineering completed an approved verification cycle with normal steam delivery and cycle completion."
Helpful Details to Include (If Known)
- Specific supply involved
- Cycle phase affected
- Exact displayed message
- Supply or consumable status
- External connection condition
- Facility steam status
- Visible leakage
- Any known-good consumable substitution
- Test-cycle results
- Final device status
Final Thought
Identify the exact supply problem, verify external sources and connections first, and never bypass safety or substitute unapproved materials. Escalate internal delivery faults and document final process verification before return to service.
That is successful troubleshooting.