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What This Guide Helps With
Air or oxygen supply alarms occur because of disconnected hoses, unavailable wall gas, damaged fittings, facility infrastructure, or internal pneumatic supply problems.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting
1. Protect the Patient and Maintain Ventilation
Loss of air or oxygen can compromise ventilation and delivered FiO2. If gas supply is unreliable while a patient is connected, immediately transition the patient to a verified ventilator or appropriate backup ventilation and oxygen source.
Expected outcome: The patient receives uninterrupted ventilation and oxygen from a reliable source.
2. Identify the Failed Gas Supply
Record the displayed message and determine whether the ventilator indicates loss of:
- Air
- Oxygen
- Both gas supplies
- Intermittent gas pressure or supply
Expected outcome: The affected gas source is clearly identified.
3. Inspect Gas Hose Connections
Confirm the air and oxygen hoses are connected to the correct ventilator inlets and fully connected to the facility outlets or approved gas source.
Inspect for obvious:
- Loose fittings
- Kinks
- Crushed hose sections
- Damaged connectors
- Visible leakage
Expected outcome: Hoses are correctly connected and externally intact. If reseating a hose restores normal supply indication, troubleshooting can stop after verification.
4. Verify the Wall Outlet or External Source
Test the suspect gas supply using facility-approved methods or move the ventilator to another verified outlet.
If another nearby device is using the same infrastructure, do not assume that confirms adequate supply to this specific outlet.
Expected outcome: The external gas source is confirmed functional or identified as the cause.
5. Compare With Known-Good Gas Hoses
If available, replace the suspect air or oxygen hose with a known-good compatible hose.
Expected outcome: If normal operation returns, remove the original hose from use and document the external cause.
6. Inspect Inlet Connections
With the ventilator disconnected from patient care, visually inspect the accessible gas inlet fittings for contamination, obvious damage, looseness, or obstruction.
Do not disassemble internal regulators or pneumatic components.
Expected outcome: No external inlet problem is visible.
7. Repeat Startup or Pre-Use Testing
Once both supplies are verified, repeat the normal startup or manufacturer-approved pre-use check.
Expected outcome: The ventilator recognizes required gas supplies and completes testing successfully.
8. Verify Delivered Ventilation and Oxygen
Connect an appropriate test lung and approved analyzer. Verify stable ventilation and oxygen delivery under controlled testing.
Expected outcome: The ventilator maintains stable operation with both gas supplies connected.
9. Escalate Persistent Gas Supply Alarms
If the alarm persists with verified facility sources and known-good hoses, stop external troubleshooting.
Expected outcome: A ventilator with an unresolved gas-supply fault is withheld from clinical use.
If the Problem Persists
External outlets, gas hoses, fittings, and source availability have been ruled out. Remaining causes may involve internal inlet regulation, pressure sensing, pneumatic valves, gas mixing, or associated electronics.
The ventilator should be:
- Removed from service
- Labeled Out of Service
- Sent for repair or bench evaluation
- Evaluated using appropriate Getinge documentation and approved pneumatic test equipment
- Repaired or calibrated only by qualified personnel
Complete gas-supply, ventilation, oxygen-delivery, alarm, and safety testing before return to service. Knowing when to stop external troubleshooting is proper troubleshooting.
Clinical Use Tip
When investigating a gas-supply alarm, verify the specific wall outlet and hose rather than assuming the hospital gas system is functioning because other locations are unaffected.
Work Order Documentation (CCR Method)
CCR = Complaint, Cause, Resolution
Complaint
What was reported by the clinical staff.
Example:
"Respiratory Therapy reported an oxygen supply failure alarm when preparing the Servo-c for use."
Cause
What was observed during troubleshooting.
Example:
"Clinical Engineering found the oxygen hose connector was not fully engaged at the wall outlet."
Resolution
What action was taken.
Example:
"The connector was reseated, the supply alarm cleared, and oxygen delivery and the complete pre-use check were verified successfully."
Helpful Details to Include (If Known)
- Exact gas-supply message
- Air or oxygen affected
- Wall outlet tested
- Alternate outlet result
- Hose condition
- Known-good hose result
- Gas inlet condition
- Pre-use check result
- Analyzer result
- Final device status
Final Thought
Protect the patient first, verify hoses and facility gas sources before assuming an internal pneumatic fault, and escalate any supply alarm that persists with confirmed external gas.
That is successful troubleshooting.