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What This Guide Helps With
Addresses failed pre-use checks caused by circuit setup, expiratory cassette, accessories, oxygen supply, power, leaks, or other externally correctable conditions.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting
1. Protect the Patient and Remove the Ventilator From Active Use
Do not troubleshoot a Servo-air Lite pre-use failure while a patient depends on the ventilator. Transfer ventilation to another verified device or appropriate alternate ventilation method. Inspect for obvious physical damage, contamination, fluid intrusion, overheating, or unusual odor. Expected outcome: Patient care is protected and the ventilator is available for controlled troubleshooting. Visible damage requires removal from service.
2. Confirm the Exact Pre-Use Check Failure
Repeat or review the pre-use check in a safe test environment and identify the exact stage that fails. Record any displayed message and whether the failure is repeatable. Expected outcome: The failed portion of the check is clearly identified.
3. Verify AC Power and Startup
Connect the Servo-air Lite to a known-good AC source and inspect the power cord and plug. Confirm the ventilator completes normal startup without resetting or displaying unrelated power issues. Expected outcome: Stable power is available. If proper power restores successful testing, complete the full check and stop troubleshooting when verified.
4. Inspect the Patient Circuit
Check tubing, connectors, filters, humidification components, accessory ports, test lung, and caps for correct assembly and obvious leaks or obstruction. Expected outcome: The test circuit is complete, secure, and correctly configured.
5. Inspect and Reseat the Expiratory Cassette
Verify the cassette is compatible, properly prepared, undamaged, and fully seated. Remove and reinstall it using normal approved handling. Expected outcome: The cassette is recognized and securely seated. If the pre-use check passes, troubleshooting can stop after complete verification.
6. Verify Oxygen Supply if Required
Inspect the oxygen hose, source, and external connections. Verify the source is available using an appropriate method. Expected outcome: Required oxygen supply is connected and available.
7. Remove Nonessential Accessories
Disconnect optional external accessories and repeat the check using the simplest approved configuration. Expected outcome: The check completes successfully in the basic configuration, indicating an external accessory or setup issue.
8. Use Known-Good External Components
Substitute compatible known-good circuits, cassette, oxygen hose, test accessory, or other implicated external component one at a time. Expected outcome: The failed condition clears when the defective external component is removed.
9. Perform Final Functional Verification
Run the entire required pre-use check and verify ventilation into an appropriate test load, controls, and alarm operation. Expected outcome: The pre-use check passes completely and ventilation is stable. Troubleshooting can stop.
10. Escalate if the Check Still Fails
If the same failure persists after external setup, supply, and accessory causes are ruled out, discontinue troubleshooting. Expected outcome: The Servo-air Lite remains out of service for qualified bench evaluation.
If the Problem Persists
Common external causes have been ruled out. The remaining failure may involve internal pneumatic components, sensing, turbine performance, electronics, calibration, or protected configuration. Remove the ventilator from service, label it Out of Service, and send it for repair or bench evaluation using appropriate Getinge documentation and approved test equipment. Repairs and configuration changes should be performed only by qualified personnel. Complete required pre-use, alarm, ventilation, and performance testing before return to service. Knowing when to stop external troubleshooting is proper troubleshooting.
Clinical Use Tip
A Servo-air Lite that does not successfully complete required pre-use testing should not be placed into clinical use.
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 its pre-use check during setup."
Cause
What was observed during troubleshooting.
Example:
"Clinical Engineering found an incompletely connected breathing-circuit limb producing a leak."
Resolution
What action was taken.
Example:
"Clinical Engineering secured the circuit connection, completed the pre-use check successfully, verified ventilation and alarms, and returned the ventilator to service."
Helpful Details to Include (If Known)
- Failed pre-use stage
- Displayed message
- AC power status
- Circuit condition
- Expiratory cassette status
- Oxygen connection
- Known-good substitutions
- Final pre-use result
- Final device status
Final Thought
Start with patient safety and external setup, verify each correction before assuming internal failure, and escalate any Servo-air Lite that cannot pass required pre-use testing. That is successful troubleshooting.