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What This Guide Helps With
Troubleshoots installations equipped with battery or backup-power capability when charging is unavailable or backup runtime appears reduced.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting
1. Protect the Patient and Confirm Backup Lighting
Do not rely on questionable backup power during a procedure. Confirm an independent, verified source of surgical illumination before testing the Volista's backup-power capability.
Expected outcome: Patient care is protected by dependable alternate illumination before battery-related testing begins.
2. Confirm That Battery Capability Applies to This Installation
Volista installations can vary. Verify from the equipment configuration, labeling, facility documentation, or manufacturer documentation that the affected installation actually includes battery or emergency backup functionality before treating the complaint as a battery failure.
Expected outcome: Backup-power capability and the affected component are positively identified. If the installation does not contain the reported battery function, redirect the investigation to the appropriate power infrastructure.
3. Confirm the Reported Condition
Determine whether staff observed a charging indication problem, failure to transfer to backup power, unexpectedly short runtime, or a shutdown during a power interruption. Record the circumstances surrounding the event.
Expected outcome: The exact battery or backup-power symptom is defined rather than inferred.
4. Verify Normal AC Supply
Confirm that normal facility AC power is reaching the surgical light and any external backup-power or charging equipment associated with the installation. A battery system cannot charge normally if its charging source is absent.
Expected outcome: Normal AC supply is present. If restoring facility power restores charging indications and normal backup behavior, verify the system and stop troubleshooting.
5. Inspect Accessible Backup-Power Connections
Inspect accessible cables, connectors, external battery enclosures, power modules, and associated indicators for looseness, damage, corrosion, contamination, or evidence of overheating. Do not open battery or power assemblies beyond authorized access.
Expected outcome: Accessible backup-power components and connections appear secure and serviceable.
6. Allow Normal Charging and Reassess
If the system was recently disconnected, stored, or subjected to an extended power interruption, allow charging according to applicable manufacturer documentation before judging battery capacity. Do not invent a charging time or runtime criterion.
Expected outcome: Charging proceeds normally according to documented system indications. If backup operation subsequently meets the applicable manufacturer requirement, troubleshooting can stop.
7. Evaluate Backup Operation Using Approved Procedures
When qualified and when the installation can safely be taken out of clinical use, test emergency or battery operation using the applicable manufacturer procedure and approved test methods. Do not intentionally interrupt critical OR power during patient care.
Expected outcome: The system transfers to and operates on backup power as specified by applicable documentation.
8. Compare With Known-Good Infrastructure When Appropriate
If several lights share common emergency-power infrastructure, compare the affected installation with a known-good system or coordinate with Facilities to determine whether the problem follows the light system or the building power source.
Expected outcome: The fault is localized to either the Volista system or the supporting infrastructure.
9. Remove From Service if Backup Capability Is Unreliable
If required emergency operation, charging, or documented battery performance cannot be confirmed, do not return the system to unrestricted clinical use where that backup function is required.
Expected outcome: An unreliable backup-power system is labeled and escalated rather than relied upon clinically.
If the Problem Persists
Common external supply, charging-source, connection, and infrastructure causes have been ruled out. Remaining possibilities include battery degradation, charging circuitry, internal power electronics, configuration, or facility emergency-power infrastructure.
The affected device or backup-power subsystem should be removed from service as appropriate, labeled Out of Service, and evaluated using current Getinge documentation and approved test equipment. Battery replacement, internal repair, and configuration changes should be performed only by qualified personnel.
Return to service should include verification of normal AC operation, charging status, backup transfer where applicable, and required battery performance. Knowing when to stop external troubleshooting is proper troubleshooting.
Clinical Use Tip
Do not assume that normal illumination on AC power proves emergency lighting capability; verify the installed backup function before relying on it.
Work Order Documentation (CCR Method)
CCR = Complaint, Cause, Resolution
Complaint
What was reported by the clinical staff.
Example:
"OR staff reported that the Volista backup power did not appear to charge after an extended power interruption."
Cause
What was observed during troubleshooting.
Example:
"Clinical Engineering found the light functioning normally but the external AC supply to the associated backup-power equipment was unavailable."
Resolution
What action was taken.
Example:
"Facility power was restored, normal charging indication returned, backup operation was verified using the applicable procedure, and the system was returned to service."
Helpful Details to Include (If Known)
- Installed backup-power configuration
- AC power status
- Charging indication observed
- Circumstances of previous power interruption
- Accessible battery or power-module condition
- Backup transfer behavior
- Comparison with other affected equipment
- Facilities findings
- Test results after correction
- Final system status
Final Thought
Verify that the installation actually includes the reported backup function, protect clinical lighting, rule out facility power and connection issues first, and require documented backup performance before return to service.
That is successful troubleshooting.