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Manufacturer
Model
What This Guide Helps With
Addresses charging or runtime problems caused by AC supply, cord connection, battery seating, battery condition, storage, or charging-system faults.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting
1. Protect the Patient and Maintain Power
If the ventilator is supporting a patient, connect it to reliable AC power when possible and arrange another verified ventilator before testing battery operation.
Do not intentionally remove AC power from a patient-dependent ventilator with questionable battery capacity.
Expected outcome: Patient ventilation is protected from unexpected power loss.
2. Confirm the Battery Complaint
Determine whether the issue is:
- Battery not charging
- Battery not recognized
- Unexpectedly short runtime
- Rapidly falling battery indication
- Ventilator shutting down during battery operation
Note the battery status indications.
Expected outcome: The specific battery symptom is identified.
3. Verify AC Power
Confirm the power cord is fully connected to the ventilator and a known-good outlet. Test the outlet with an appropriate device if necessary.
Inspect the power cord, plug, and external inlet for damage.
Expected outcome: Reliable AC power reaches the ventilator and normal AC operation is indicated. If charging resumes, continue monitoring and verify battery condition before return to service.
4. Allow Normal Charging Opportunity
If the battery has been deeply discharged or the device has been stored, connect the ventilator to reliable AC power and allow charging according to applicable manufacturer guidance.
Do not assume battery failure from a brief charging period.
Expected outcome: The battery charge indication progresses normally. If charging remains absent, continue troubleshooting.
5. Inspect Battery Installation
Where accessible through normal approved handling, verify the battery is fully seated, latched, and free of obvious swelling, cracks, leakage, contamination, or terminal damage.
Do not use a visibly damaged or swollen battery.
Expected outcome: The battery is correctly installed and physically safe. Damaged batteries are removed from service according to facility battery-handling procedures.
6. Reseat the Battery
Remove and reinstall the battery only if permitted by normal service handling and while patient care is protected.
Expected outcome: The battery is recognized and charging normally. If reseating resolves the problem, complete runtime and functional verification before return to service.
7. Substitute a Known-Good Compatible Battery
Install a known-good approved battery when available.
Expected outcome: If charging and runtime return to normal, the original battery is the likely cause and should be replaced. If the known-good battery also fails to charge, suspect a device-level charging issue and escalate.
8. Verify Battery Runtime
After adequate charging, operate the ventilator on battery under an appropriate controlled test condition and evaluate runtime according to applicable manufacturer and department criteria.
Expected outcome: Battery operation is stable and meets applicable acceptance criteria. Troubleshooting can stop if the battery passes.
9. Confirm Automatic Power Transition
Verify the ventilator properly indicates AC operation and, during controlled testing, transfers appropriately between external and battery power.
Expected outcome: Power transitions occur without unexpected shutdown or reset.
10. Escalate Persistent Charging Problems
If a known-good battery will not charge or battery status remains abnormal despite verified AC input, stop external troubleshooting.
Expected outcome: The ventilator remains out of service for charging-system evaluation.
If the Problem Persists
Common AC, battery seating, and battery-condition causes have been ruled out. The problem may involve internal charging electronics, power conversion, battery communication, wiring, or another service-level fault.
Remove the ventilator from service, label it Out of Service, and send it for bench evaluation using appropriate Getinge service documentation and approved test equipment.
Following repair, verify battery charging, battery operation, AC/battery transition, alarms, ventilation, and the required pre-use check before return to service.
Knowing when to stop external troubleshooting is proper troubleshooting.
Clinical Use Tip
A ventilator with uncertain battery capacity should not be relied on for transport or any situation where AC power may be interrupted.
Work Order Documentation (CCR Method)
CCR = Complaint, Cause, Resolution
Complaint
What was reported by the clinical staff.
Example:
"Respiratory Therapy reported that the Servo-air battery was not charging and the unit had very limited battery runtime."
Cause
What was observed during troubleshooting.
Example:
"Clinical Engineering found the installed battery would not accept a normal charge, while a known-good battery charged correctly."
Resolution
What action was taken.
Example:
"Clinical Engineering replaced the defective battery, verified charging and battery operation, completed functional testing, and returned the ventilator to service."
Helpful Details to Include (If Known)
- Battery status indication
- AC outlet tested
- Power cord condition
- Battery physical condition
- Battery recognition status
- Known-good battery result
- Runtime test result
- AC/battery transition result
- Final device status
Final Thought
Protect ventilation before testing backup power, verify the AC source and battery installation first, use known-good substitution where appropriate, and escalate charging-system problems that persist.
That is successful troubleshooting.