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Asset Type
Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) System
Manufacturer
Model
What This Guide Helps With
Troubleshoots no-power, incomplete startup, repeated restart, external power, connection, accessory, battery, and environmental causes before service escalation.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting
1. Protect the Patient and Maintain ECMO Support
Do not troubleshoot an unreliable ROTAFLOW II while a patient depends on it. Maintain circulation and oxygenation using the facility's established ECMO backup plan and a verified alternate system when required.
If the console failed during active support, clinical ECMO personnel must control the patient transition and circuit management.
Expected outcome: Patient support remains uninterrupted and troubleshooting is performed only on equipment that can be safely evaluated.
2. Confirm the Exact Startup Failure
Determine whether the console:
- Shows no indication of power
- Begins startup and shuts down
- Restarts repeatedly
- Stops during initialization
- Produces an alarm or displayed message
- Operates differently on AC power versus battery
Document the exact point at which startup fails.
Expected outcome: The failure is reproducible and clearly identified. If the unit starts normally and remains stable after the reported condition is corrected, continue to final verification.
3. Verify External AC Power
Inspect the power cord, plug, strain relief, and accessible power inlet for damage or looseness. Confirm the outlet provides power using an approved method or known-good equipment.
Avoid unapproved extension cords, adapters, or compromised receptacles.
Expected outcome: Reliable AC power reaches the console. If restoring a valid power source corrects the problem and repeated startup is normal, troubleshooting can stop after functional verification.
4. Inspect Power Connections and External Components
Confirm all externally accessible power connections are fully seated. Look for:
- Bent or damaged contacts
- Loose connectors
- Fluid contamination
- Evidence of impact
- Heat damage or discoloration
- Damaged external power accessories
Do not continue operating equipment with damaged electrical connections.
Expected outcome: Power connections are secure and undamaged. Physical or electrical damage requires removal from service.
5. Compare AC and Battery Operation
With the device removed from clinical use, determine whether the console can start from AC power and whether behavior changes when operating from its battery source.
Do not repeatedly cycle power if abnormal heat, odor, noise, or electrical damage is present.
Expected outcome: The console starts consistently from the available approved power source. A failure isolated to battery operation directs troubleshooting toward the battery or charging system.
6. Verify External Configuration and Connected Accessories
Inspect externally connected ROTAFLOW II components and accessories for improper connection, damage, or a condition that could interfere with initialization.
Disconnect or reconnect accessories only when permitted by the applicable manufacturer procedure and when the equipment is not supporting a patient.
Expected outcome: Required accessories are correctly connected and startup proceeds normally. If an external connection was responsible, correct it and proceed to verification.
7. Check the Environment
Verify the console is dry, unobstructed, and being evaluated in an appropriate environment. Look for:
- Fluid intrusion
- Heavy contamination
- Blocked ventilation
- Excessive heat
- Evidence of recent impact or transport damage
Expected outcome: No external environmental condition explains the startup problem. Suspected fluid intrusion, overheating, or significant physical damage requires removal from service.
8. Perform a Controlled Restart
After external power and connection issues have been ruled out, perform one controlled restart according to normal operating procedures.
Do not repeatedly power-cycle a unit that continues to fail startup.
Expected outcome: The console completes startup and remains stable without abnormal alarms or resets. If it does, proceed to final verification.
9. Perform Final Functional Verification
Before return to service, verify:
- Startup completes consistently
- Display and controls function
- Alarm indications are available
- Pump-drive functions can be checked with appropriate test equipment or setup
- Connected monitoring functions initialize appropriately
- AC and battery status appear appropriate
Perform all required return-to-service testing under facility and manufacturer procedures.
Expected outcome: All required functions operate normally and the device is safe for clinical use. Troubleshooting can stop.
10. Escalate an Unresolved Startup Failure
If the console remains dead, resets, freezes, or cannot complete startup after external causes have been eliminated, stop troubleshooting.
Expected outcome: The unreliable unit is removed from clinical availability and routed for qualified service evaluation.
If the Problem Persists
Common external power, connection, accessory, configuration, and environmental causes have been ruled out. The remaining problem may involve the internal power system, charging circuitry, control electronics, software, internal communication, or another service-level condition.
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 configured only by qualified personnel
Do not perform deep disassembly, board-level troubleshooting, or unauthorized service procedures. Following repair, complete all manufacturer- and facility-required operational, alarm, electrical safety, and functional testing before clinical release.
Knowing when to stop external troubleshooting is proper troubleshooting.
Clinical Use Tip
For an ECMO console failure, secure uninterrupted extracorporeal support before investigating the equipment; troubleshooting must never compete with maintaining patient circulation and oxygenation.
Work Order Documentation (CCR Method)
CCR = Complaint, Cause, Resolution
Complaint
What was reported by the clinical staff.
Example:
"ECMO staff reported the ROTAFLOW II console would not complete startup when prepared for use."
Cause
What was observed during troubleshooting.
Example:
"Clinical Engineering found the console connected to a receptacle that was not supplying AC power; the console and power cord showed no external damage."
Resolution
What action was taken.
Example:
"Restored the console to a verified powered receptacle, completed repeated startup and functional checks, and returned the unit to service after normal operation was confirmed."
Helpful Details to Include (If Known)
- Exact startup behavior or displayed message
- Whether indicators illuminated
- AC versus battery operation
- Outlet test result
- Power cord and inlet condition
- Connected accessories at time of failure
- Evidence of impact, fluid, heat, or contamination
- Result of controlled restart
- Results of final functional and alarm verification
- Final device status
Final Thought
Protect the patient first, verify external power and connections before assuming internal failure, perform a complete functional check after correction, and escalate persistent startup faults with clear CCR documentation.
That is successful troubleshooting.