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What This Guide Helps With
Addresses oxygen calibration or FiO2 discrepancies caused by oxygen supply, leaks, circuit setup, sensing components, configuration, or service-level oxygen-system faults.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting
1. Protect the Patient
If oxygen concentration is uncertain, remove the Servo-air Lite from patient dependence and maintain ventilation and oxygen delivery with a verified alternate device. Expected outcome: The patient receives reliable oxygen independently of the affected ventilator.
2. Confirm the Oxygen Discrepancy
Determine whether the issue is calibration failure, incorrect displayed FiO2, unstable readings, or mismatch between selected and delivered oxygen. Use an approved calibrated oxygen analyzer when appropriate. Expected outcome: The reported oxygen problem is confirmed independently where needed.
3. Verify the Oxygen Source
Inspect the oxygen hose and fittings for secure connection, damage, kinks, or leakage. Verify the source is available using an appropriate external method. Expected outcome: A reliable oxygen source is connected.
4. Inspect the Breathing Circuit
Check for significant leaks, disconnected tubing, open ports, and incorrectly installed circuit components. Expected outcome: Circuit integrity is sufficient for reliable oxygen delivery and testing.
5. Verify Normal Accessible Settings
Review the selected oxygen concentration and normal user-accessible settings. Do not change protected calibration values or enter unauthorized service menus. Expected outcome: The intended oxygen setting is correctly configured.
6. Perform Approved Oxygen Calibration
With verified supply and circuit conditions, perform the normal approved calibration procedure. Expected outcome: Calibration completes successfully. If measured oxygen is then accurate and stable, troubleshooting can stop after final verification.
7. Inspect Approved Replaceable Oxygen-Sensing Components
If an oxygen-sensing component is designed for routine replacement, inspect it for physical deterioration, loose installation, contamination, or other obvious issues. Expected outcome: The component is correctly installed and serviceable.
8. Substitute a Known-Good Approved Component
If applicable, install a known-good compatible oxygen-sensing component and repeat calibration. Expected outcome: Successful calibration identifies the original replaceable component as defective.
9. Verify Delivered Oxygen
Operate the ventilator with an appropriate test setup and compare delivered oxygen with an approved analyzer. Expected outcome: Oxygen delivery and indication meet applicable acceptance requirements. Troubleshooting can stop.
10. Escalate Persistent Oxygen Failure
If calibration continues to fail or oxygen remains inaccurate after external causes are ruled out, discontinue troubleshooting. Expected outcome: The Servo-air Lite remains out of service for qualified oxygen-system evaluation.
If the Problem Persists
Common oxygen source, circuit, configuration, and replaceable sensor causes have been ruled out. The issue may involve internal oxygen sensing, pneumatic mixing, calibration, valves, electronics, or other service-level components. Remove the ventilator from service, label it Out of Service, and send it for bench evaluation using appropriate Getinge documentation and approved oxygen and ventilator test equipment. Verify oxygen concentration, alarms, ventilation, and the full pre-use check after repair. Knowing when to stop external troubleshooting is proper troubleshooting.
Clinical Use Tip
When FiO2 accuracy is questioned, confirm performance with an independent calibrated oxygen analyzer before the ventilator returns to patient care.
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 Lite failed oxygen calibration during preparation for use."
Cause
What was observed during troubleshooting.
Example:
"Clinical Engineering found the oxygen supply hose was loosely connected and the source was not reaching the ventilator reliably."
Resolution
What action was taken.
Example:
"Clinical Engineering secured the oxygen connection, completed calibration successfully, verified delivered oxygen with an approved analyzer, and returned the ventilator to service."
Helpful Details to Include (If Known)
- Calibration result
- Set and measured FiO2
- Oxygen source condition
- Hose and fitting condition
- Circuit integrity
- Sensing component condition
- Known-good substitution
- Analyzer result
- Final device status
Final Thought
Verify oxygen supply and circuit integrity before suspecting internal sensing failure, confirm corrections objectively, and escalate whenever oxygen delivery cannot be proven accurate. That is successful troubleshooting.