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What This Guide Helps With
Troubleshoots Volista PM or electrical-safety failures caused by setup, test equipment, accessories, grounding, damage, connections, or service-level conditions.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting
1. Remove the System From Clinical Use for Evaluation
Do not perform PM or electrical-safety troubleshooting while the surgical light is required for a patient procedure. If the system fails a required safety test, do not return it to clinical use until the failure is resolved and retested.
Expected outcome: The light is safely available for technical evaluation without affecting patient care.
2. Identify the Exact Failed Inspection or Test
Record the specific PM inspection, functional test, or electrical-safety measurement that failed. Use the applicable Getinge procedure and facility electrical-safety policy. Do not invent limits, tolerances, or test intervals.
Expected outcome: The exact failed requirement and applicable acceptance criterion are known.
3. Verify the Test Setup
Confirm that the correct test method, equipment connection, test point, and device operating condition are being used. Ensure detachable or optional components are included or excluded exactly as required by the applicable procedure.
Expected outcome: Testing is being performed under the correct documented conditions.
4. Verify Test Equipment Status
Confirm that the electrical-safety analyzer, meter, light meter, force gauge, or other applicable test equipment is suitable for the procedure and within its required calibration period.
Expected outcome: A faulty, inappropriate, or overdue test instrument is ruled out before the device is condemned.
5. Repeat the Failed Measurement
Reconnect the test equipment and repeat the measurement carefully. Verify leads, adapters, grounding connections, and test setup before accepting a failed result.
Expected outcome: The result is reproducible. If the initial failure was caused by test setup and the repeated measurement passes within documented requirements, continue the remaining PM and stop troubleshooting when all checks pass.
6. Perform a Detailed External Inspection
Inspect accessible power components, grounding points intended for inspection, cables, strain reliefs, connectors, control surfaces, handles, light heads, suspension components, and covers for visible damage, looseness, contamination, or unauthorized modification.
Expected outcome: No externally correctable defect remains. Any unsafe damage requires continued removal from service.
7. Check Facility Power and Grounding When Relevant
For an electrical-safety anomaly, verify the applicable facility power source and grounding condition or compare with a known-good test location. Coordinate with Facilities if the branch circuit or fixed installation is suspected.
Expected outcome: Building wiring is either confirmed acceptable or identified as the source of the abnormal result.
8. Isolate External Accessories When Permitted
If the test procedure permits, determine whether an approved external accessory or connected component is affecting the failed measurement. Remove or substitute components only as allowed by manufacturer and facility procedures.
Expected outcome: The failure is localized to the light system, an external accessory, or the facility infrastructure.
9. Correct Only Authorized External Defects
Correct loose accessible connections, damaged approved external accessories, contamination, or other issues within Clinical Engineering's authorized service scope. Do not defeat protective grounding, alter safety components, or adjust undocumented internal controls.
Expected outcome: Any external cause is corrected without compromising the manufacturer's safety design.
10. Repeat the Complete Required Test
After correction, repeat the failed test and any other testing required by the applicable PM procedure. A single passing measurement does not replace completion of the required inspection.
Expected outcome: All applicable PM and electrical-safety requirements pass. If so, complete functional verification and stop troubleshooting.
11. Escalate Any Unresolved Safety Failure
If a required PM or electrical-safety test continues to fail after setup, test equipment, infrastructure, and external causes have been ruled out, stop troubleshooting.
Expected outcome: The failed system remains out of service for qualified evaluation.
If the Problem Persists
Common test-setup, test-equipment, facility-power, grounding, accessory, and externally visible mechanical or electrical causes have been ruled out. The remaining fault may involve internal protective-earth continuity, insulation, power electronics, wiring, suspension components, control systems, or another service-level issue.
The device should remain removed from service, be labeled Out of Service, and receive qualified repair or bench/on-site evaluation using current Getinge service documentation and approved calibrated test equipment. Internal repair should be performed only by qualified personnel.
Return to service only after the original failed requirement and all necessary functional and electrical-safety checks pass. Knowing when to stop external troubleshooting is proper troubleshooting.
Clinical Use Tip
Never clear a surgical light solely because it appears to work normally after it has failed a required electrical-safety or mechanical PM inspection.
Work Order Documentation (CCR Method)
CCR = Complaint, Cause, Resolution
Complaint
What was reported by the clinical staff.
Example:
"The Getinge Volista failed an electrical-safety measurement during scheduled preventive maintenance."
Cause
What was observed during troubleshooting.
Example:
"Clinical Engineering found the initial abnormal reading was caused by an improperly seated analyzer test connection."
Resolution
What action was taken.
Example:
"The test setup was corrected, the complete applicable electrical-safety testing passed, normal light and positioning functions were verified, and the system was returned to service."
Helpful Details to Include (If Known)
- Exact PM item or safety test failed
- Applicable acceptance criterion
- Test equipment identification
- Test equipment calibration status
- Initial and repeat results
- Test connection and setup condition
- External cable and grounding condition
- Facility outlet or supply findings
- Accessories connected during testing
- Corrective action
- Complete retest results
- Final device status
Final Thought
A PM or safety-test failure requires disciplined verification of the test method before assuming internal failure, followed by complete retesting, appropriate escalation, and clear documentation before return to service.
That is successful troubleshooting.