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What This Guide Helps With
Addresses failed pre-use checks caused by circuit setup, expiratory cassette, accessories, gas 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 ventilator while a patient depends on it. Transfer ventilation to another verified device or appropriate alternate ventilation method before troubleshooting.
Inspect the ventilator for obvious damage, contamination, fluid intrusion, unusual odor, or evidence of overheating.
Expected outcome: The patient is safely supported elsewhere and the Servo-air is available for controlled troubleshooting. If physical or electrical damage is present, remove the unit from service and stop troubleshooting.
2. Confirm the Exact Pre-Use Check Failure
Repeat or review the pre-use check only when the ventilator is configured safely for testing. Note the exact stage that fails and any displayed message.
Determine whether the failure is repeatable or occurred only once.
Expected outcome: The failed portion of the pre-use process is identified. If the check now completes normally after correcting an obvious setup issue, troubleshooting can stop after final verification.
3. Verify AC Power and Basic Startup
Confirm the AC power cord is fully seated and connected to a known-good outlet. Inspect the cord and plug for damage.
Power the ventilator normally and verify that startup completes without abnormal resets or power indications.
Expected outcome: The ventilator starts normally from reliable AC power. If normal power restores successful pre-use testing, troubleshooting can stop after completing the full verification.
4. Inspect the Patient Circuit
Verify that the intended patient circuit is correctly assembled and fully connected. Check for:
- Loose or disconnected tubing
- Cracked tubing or connectors
- Open accessory ports
- Incorrectly installed humidification components
- Missing plugs or caps required during testing
- Damaged test lung or other test accessory
Reseat all external circuit connections.
Expected outcome: The breathing circuit is complete, secure, and free of obvious leaks or damage. If correcting the circuit allows the pre-use check to pass, troubleshooting can stop after successful completion of the entire check.
5. Inspect and Reseat the Expiratory Cassette
Confirm the expiratory cassette is the correct compatible component, clean, dry as required for use, undamaged, and fully seated.
Remove and reinstall it according to normal approved handling procedures. Do not disassemble the cassette beyond permitted user/service handling.
Expected outcome: The cassette seats securely and is recognized by the ventilator. If the pre-use check passes afterward, troubleshooting can stop.
6. Verify Oxygen Supply and External Connections
If oxygen is required for the check, inspect the oxygen hose and source. Verify the hose is connected securely and is not kinked or visibly damaged.
Confirm the facility source or approved test source is available using an appropriate external method.
Expected outcome: Required oxygen supply is available and connected correctly. If restoring the supply permits the pre-use check to pass, troubleshooting can stop after complete verification.
7. Remove Nonessential Accessories
Disconnect optional external accessories that are not required for the pre-use check and could affect circuit integrity or communication.
Repeat the check using the simplest approved configuration.
Expected outcome: The ventilator completes the check in the basic configuration. Reconnect accessories individually to identify an external contributor before returning the device to service.
8. Use Known-Good External Components
When available, substitute known-good compatible components such as the patient circuit, expiratory cassette, test lung, oxygen hose, or other replaceable external accessory implicated by the failed check.
Change one item at a time.
Expected outcome: The failed condition follows a defective external component or disappears with a known-good substitute. Replace the defective component and stop troubleshooting after successful pre-use verification.
9. Perform Final Functional Verification
Run the complete required pre-use check again after corrections. Verify normal ventilation into an appropriate test load and confirm expected alarm indications and controls function.
Expected outcome: The complete pre-use check passes without recurring faults and the ventilator operates normally. The unit may proceed to return-to-service evaluation according to department policy.
10. Escalate if the Pre-Use Check Still Fails
If the same failure persists despite correct power, circuit, cassette, oxygen source, accessories, and known-good substitutions, discontinue external troubleshooting.
Expected outcome: The ventilator remains out of clinical use pending qualified bench evaluation.
If the Problem Persists
Common external causes have been ruled out. The remaining problem may involve internal pneumatic operation, sensing, turbine performance, calibration, electronics, configuration, or another service-level condition.
Remove the ventilator from service, label it Out of Service, and send it for repair or bench evaluation. Continue evaluation using appropriate Getinge service documentation and approved test equipment. Internal repair, calibration, or configuration should be performed only by qualified personnel.
Following repair, complete required operational, alarm, performance, and pre-use testing before returning the ventilator to clinical service.
Knowing when to stop external troubleshooting and escalate is proper troubleshooting.
Clinical Use Tip
Never place a ventilator into service after a failed pre-use check merely because basic ventilation appears to function.
Work Order Documentation (CCR Method)
CCR = Complaint, Cause, Resolution
Complaint
What was reported by the clinical staff.
Example:
"Clinical staff reported that the Servo-air repeatedly failed its pre-use check before patient use."
Cause
What was observed during troubleshooting.
Example:
"Clinical Engineering found a loose patient-circuit connection creating a leak during the pre-use check."
Resolution
What action was taken.
Example:
"Clinical Engineering secured the circuit connection, repeated the complete pre-use check successfully, verified ventilation and alarms, and returned the ventilator to service."
Helpful Details to Include (If Known)
- Exact failed pre-use check stage or displayed message
- AC power status
- Circuit configuration
- Expiratory cassette condition
- Oxygen source and hose condition
- Accessories connected
- Known-good substitutions performed
- Results before and after correction
- Final pre-use check result
- Final device status
Final Thought
Patient safety comes first. Work from external setup and supply conditions toward more involved causes, verify every correction, escalate unresolved failures appropriately, and document the complaint, cause, and resolution clearly.
That is successful troubleshooting.