Getinge Servo-c

Pre-Use Check Failure

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Asset Type

Ventilator

Manufacturer

Getinge

Model

Servo-c

What This Guide Helps With

Pre-use testing does not complete successfully due to circuit, cassette, gas supply, accessory, connection, or setup-related conditions.

Step-by-Step Troubleshooting

1. Protect the Patient and Maintain Ventilation

Do not troubleshoot a ventilator that is providing unreliable therapy to a patient. If the Servo-c is currently supporting a patient and its readiness is uncertain, transfer ventilation to another verified ventilator or an appropriate backup method before continuing.

Expected outcome: The patient remains safely ventilated using reliable equipment before troubleshooting begins.

2. Confirm the Exact Pre-Use Check Failure

Repeat the approved pre-use check only after the ventilator is removed from clinical dependence. Record the displayed failure message, the stage of the check that fails, and whether the failure is repeatable.

Do not repeatedly bypass or ignore a failed check.

Expected outcome: The specific portion of the pre-use check that is failing is identified. If the check completes successfully and remains repeatable, proceed to final verification and stop troubleshooting.

3. Verify AC Power and Basic Startup

Confirm the ventilator is connected to known-good AC power and powers up normally. Inspect the power cord, plug, and inlet for looseness or visible damage.

Confirm the device completes normal startup without unrelated faults.

Expected outcome: Stable power and normal startup are confirmed. If correcting the power source resolves the check failure, troubleshooting can stop after successful verification.

4. Inspect the Patient Circuit and External Connections

Inspect the breathing circuit for:

Reseat all accessible circuit connections.

Expected outcome: The circuit is complete, unobstructed, correctly assembled, and securely connected. If the pre-use check now passes, troubleshooting can stop.

5. Verify the Expiratory Cassette

Confirm the expiratory cassette is the correct compatible component, fully inserted, properly seated, and free of visible contamination, moisture, or damage.

Remove and reinstall it only using normal operator-accessible handling. If available, compare with a known-good compatible cassette.

Expected outcome: The cassette is recognized and seated correctly. If replacement with a known-good cassette allows the pre-use check to pass, the original cassette should be evaluated separately.

6. Verify Gas Supplies

Confirm required air and oxygen supplies are connected to the correct ventilator inlets and that the external gas sources are available.

Inspect hoses and fittings for:

Where facility infrastructure is suspect, compare operation using another verified gas outlet or approved source.

Expected outcome: Required gas supplies are connected and available. If correcting an external gas issue allows the pre-use check to pass, troubleshooting can stop after verification.

7. Check Accessories and Configuration

Confirm installed accessories, humidification components, filters, nebulizer-related components, and other circuit additions are correctly assembled and compatible with the intended setup.

Verify the ventilator configuration being tested matches the actual patient circuit and accessory setup without entering restricted service menus.

Expected outcome: External accessories and configuration do not interfere with the pre-use check. If correcting the setup resolves the failure, troubleshooting can stop.

8. Repeat the Approved Pre-Use Check

After correcting identified external issues, repeat the complete manufacturer-approved pre-use check.

Do not return the ventilator to service because only one portion appears functional.

Expected outcome: The complete pre-use check finishes successfully without faults.

9. Perform Final Functional Verification

Confirm normal startup, ventilation using an appropriate test lung, displayed pressure and volume response, gas operation, controls, and audible and visual alarms as applicable.

Expected outcome: The ventilator operates consistently and passes required return-to-service testing. If all results are acceptable, troubleshooting is complete.

10. Escalate an Unresolved Failure

If the pre-use check continues to fail after external causes are ruled out, stop troubleshooting at the external level.

Expected outcome: An unresolved ventilator is prevented from returning to clinical use.

If the Problem Persists

Common external causes such as power, patient circuit assembly, expiratory cassette seating, gas supplies, accessories, and setup have been ruled out. Remaining causes may involve internal pneumatic, sensing, electronic, calibration, or configuration systems.

The ventilator should be:

Complete applicable performance, alarm, and safety testing before return to service. Knowing when to stop external troubleshooting is proper troubleshooting.

Clinical Use Tip

Never place a Servo-c into patient service after a failed pre-use check unless the cause has been corrected and the complete required check passes.

Work Order Documentation (CCR Method)

CCR = Complaint, Cause, Resolution

Complaint

What was reported by the clinical staff.

Example:
"Clinical staff reported that the Servo-c repeatedly failed its pre-use check before patient use."

Cause

What was observed during troubleshooting.

Example:
"Clinical Engineering found the expiratory cassette was not fully seated, causing the pre-use check to fail."

Resolution

What action was taken.

Example:
"The cassette was correctly reseated, the complete pre-use check passed, and ventilator function and alarms were verified before return to service."

Helpful Details to Include (If Known)

Final Thought

Protect the patient first, verify external setup and supplies before assuming an internal failure, repeat the complete check after correction, escalate unresolved failures appropriately, and clearly document the verified cause and resolution.

That is successful troubleshooting.

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