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What This Guide Helps With
Addresses incomplete processing cycles caused by disposable flow restrictions, insufficient fluids, tubing problems, centrifuge interruptions, sensor conditions, or system faults.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting
1. Protect the Patient and Maintain Continuity of Care
Do not rely on incompletely processed blood for reinfusion. Notify the clinical team and maintain an alternate blood-management plan while the cause is evaluated.
Handle any partially processed blood according to clinical policy and manufacturer instructions.
Expected outcome: Patient care continues without dependence on an incomplete or uncertain processing cycle.
2. Identify the Exact Cycle and Stopping Point
Determine whether the problem occurs during wash, recentrifuge, final processing, or another transition. Record any displayed message and what the system was doing immediately before the cycle stopped.
Expected outcome: The failure is tied to a specific stage and repeatable condition.
3. Verify Stable Power
Confirm AC power is secure and the system has not experienced a power interruption, loose plug, damaged cord, or unexpected shutdown.
Expected outcome: Stable power is available throughout the processing cycle. If correcting the power source allows a complete cycle, troubleshooting can stop after verification.
4. Check Required External Fluids and Containers
Inspect all applicable external fluid bags, collection containers, and drainage destinations required for the cycle. Look for empty sources, full receiving containers, closed clamps, or improper connections.
Expected outcome: Required fluids and collection pathways are available and correctly connected.
5. Trace the Disposable Fluid Path
Inspect tubing for kinks, closed clamps, collapsed sections, improper routing, air, or visible obstruction. Verify connectors are fully seated.
Expected outcome: The disposable path is open and properly routed. If correcting an obstruction allows the cycle to complete, the issue is resolved.
6. Verify Bowl and Reservoir Seating
Confirm the bowl and reservoir remain securely installed and have not shifted during operation.
Expected outcome: Disposable components remain properly positioned throughout the cycle.
7. Check for Related Centrifuge or Pump Instability
Observe whether the processing interruption coincides with abnormal centrifuge noise, pump stopping, unstable flow, or another subsystem problem.
Do not continue testing if abnormal mechanical behavior is present.
Expected outcome: Pump and centrifuge operation remain stable through the cycle.
8. Inspect Level and Optical Sensing Conditions
Look for foam, bubbles, contamination, or disposable positioning that could prevent the system from recognizing required fluid transitions.
Expected outcome: External sensing conditions are clear and consistent with proper processing.
9. Test With a Known-Good Compatible Processing Set
When appropriate, use a known-good disposable set to determine whether the incomplete cycle follows the original disposable.
Expected outcome: A complete cycle with a known-good set identifies the original disposable or setup as the likely cause.
10. Perform a Complete Nonpatient Functional Cycle
After correcting any external cause, run an appropriate test sequence through completion and verify that all relevant steps advance normally without manual intervention or repeated faults.
Expected outcome: The cycle completes normally. Troubleshooting can stop when the system performs consistently and passes applicable return-to-service checks.
11. Remove From Service if a Cycle Still Cannot Complete
If the system repeatedly fails to complete processing after external conditions are ruled out, remove it from service.
Expected outcome: The unit is labeled Out of Service and sent for qualified bench evaluation.
If the Problem Persists
Power, fluids, tubing, disposable installation, pump operation, centrifuge performance, and accessible sensing conditions have been ruled out. The remaining cause may involve an internal sensor, drive subsystem, control sequence, configuration, or other service-level condition.
The device should be:
- Removed from service
- Labeled Out of Service
- Sent for repair or bench evaluation
- Evaluated using appropriate manufacturer documentation and approved test equipment
- Repaired or configured only by qualified personnel
Complete a full functional processing verification after repair before returning the unit to service. Knowing when to stop external troubleshooting is proper troubleshooting.
Clinical Use Tip
Never assume partially processed blood is suitable for reinfusion solely because the cycle was nearly complete; follow clinical and manufacturer requirements for completed processing.
Work Order Documentation (CCR Method)
CCR = Complaint, Cause, Resolution
Complaint
What was reported by the clinical staff.
Example:
"OR staff reported that the wash cycle repeatedly stopped before completing."
Cause
What was observed during troubleshooting.
Example:
"Clinical Engineering found the wash-fluid tubing kinked beneath the equipment cart and restricting flow."
Resolution
What action was taken.
Example:
"The tubing was repositioned, and the Cell Saver Elite+ subsequently completed a full functional processing cycle without interruption."
Helpful Details to Include (If Known)
- Cycle that failed
- Point where processing stopped
- Displayed message
- Power condition
- Fluid-source status
- Drain or receiving-container status
- Tubing and clamp condition
- Pump and centrifuge behavior
- Known-good disposable result
- Final complete-cycle result
- Final device status
- Cycle that failed
- Point where processing stopped
- Displayed message
- Power condition
- Fluid-source status
- Drain or receiving-container status
- Tubing and clamp condition
- Pump and centrifuge behavior
- Known-good disposable result
- Final complete-cycle result
- Final device status
Final Thought
An incomplete cycle should be treated as a process-path problem until power, fluids, tubing, disposable seating, sensing, and major external subsystem behavior have been verified. Do not return the device until an entire appropriate cycle completes reliably.
That is successful troubleshooting.