Haemonetics TEG 6s

Asset Type

Viscoelastic Hemostasis Analyzer

Manufacturer

Haemonetics

Model

TEG 6s

What This Guide Helps With

Addresses sample loading, quantity, transfer, cartridge condition, clotting, bubbles, and handling problems before analyzer-level failure is suspected.

Step-by-Step Troubleshooting

1. Protect Patient Care and Confirm the Failure

If a clinically time-sensitive result is needed, use another verified analyzer or approved laboratory method rather than repeatedly attempting an unreliable sample.

Determine whether the issue involves:

• Sample not entering the cartridge.
• Analyzer reporting insufficient sample.
• Sample partially loading.
• Repeated failure with one specimen.
• Repeated failure with multiple specimens or cartridges.

Expected outcome: The exact sample-loading problem is identified without delaying patient care.

2. Verify Sample Availability and Condition

Confirm there is adequate specimen available for the intended assay using approved laboratory handling practices.

Inspect for obvious problems such as:

• Insufficient volume.
• Visible clotting.
• Excessive bubbles.
• Leakage.
• Improperly handled or visibly compromised specimen.

Do not attempt to salvage an unsuitable specimen outside approved laboratory procedures.

Expected outcome: The specimen appears suitable for testing. If not, obtain a properly collected replacement specimen through the appropriate clinical process.

3. Verify Correct Sample Transfer Technique

Observe or review how the specimen is being introduced into the cartridge without converting the troubleshooting session into operator retraining.

Check for external contributors such as:

• Incomplete transfer.
• Air introduced during transfer.
• Sample remaining in the transfer device.
• Leakage at the cartridge application area.
• Sample applied to the wrong location.

Expected outcome: Sample transfer is complete and consistent with the approved clinical process. If corrected transfer resolves the error, troubleshooting can stop.

4. Inspect the Cartridge

Check the cartridge for:

• Damage.
• Contamination.
• Improper seating.
• Wet or obstructed sample-entry areas.
• Package compromise.
• Incorrect cartridge selection.

Expected outcome: The cartridge is intact, appropriate, and correctly loaded. Replace a questionable cartridge and retest.

5. Use a Fresh Known-Good Cartridge

Repeat testing with an appropriate known-good cartridge when specimen availability and laboratory policy permit.

Expected outcome: If the sample loads normally with a replacement cartridge, the original cartridge is the likely external cause and analyzer troubleshooting can stop.

6. Compare With a Fresh Specimen if Appropriate

If the same specimen repeatedly produces an insufficient-sample or loading problem, use a newly collected specimen only when clinically and procedurally appropriate.

This helps distinguish a specimen condition from an analyzer problem.

Expected outcome: A suitable fresh specimen loads normally. If so, document the specimen-related finding rather than identifying an analyzer failure.

7. Inspect the Cartridge Loading Area

With the analyzer idle, visually inspect the accessible loading area for:

• Debris.
• Dried sample residue.
• Liquid contamination.
• Foreign material.
• Visible damage.

Clean only accessible areas using approved methods.

Expected outcome: The area is clean, dry, and unobstructed. If cleaning restores normal sample processing, troubleshooting can stop after verification.

8. Verify Analyzer Readiness

Confirm the analyzer completed startup normally and is not reporting an unrelated system, cartridge, or software condition.

A normal restart may be performed if appropriate.

Expected outcome: The analyzer reaches its normal ready state without unrelated errors.

9. Perform a Controlled Functional Check

Using an appropriate non-patient verification process available to Clinical Engineering or the laboratory, confirm that:

• A known-good cartridge is accepted.
• Sample loading proceeds normally.
• The analyzer advances into testing without an insufficient-sample condition.

Expected outcome: Sample loading is repeatable and stable. The analyzer can return to service if all required verification passes.

10. Escalate Recurrent Loading Problems

If properly prepared samples and known-good cartridges repeatedly fail to load on the same analyzer, remove the unit from service.

Expected outcome: The analyzer is routed for bench evaluation rather than used for unreliable testing.

If the Problem Persists

External causes involving specimen volume, specimen condition, transfer technique, cartridge selection, seating, contamination, and analyzer readiness have been ruled out. The remaining problem may involve sample-detection, cartridge interface, internal fluid-handling detection, software, or another 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.

Perform required functional and return-to-service testing before clinical use.

Knowing when to stop external troubleshooting is proper troubleshooting.

Clinical Use Tip

Do not repeatedly consume a limited patient specimen while troubleshooting; preserve sample availability and move testing to an alternate verified pathway when needed.

Work Order Documentation (CCR Method)

CCR = Complaint, Cause, Resolution

Complaint

What was reported by the clinical staff.

Example:
"Laboratory staff reported repeated insufficient-sample messages when attempting to run a TEG 6s assay."

Cause

What was observed during troubleshooting.

Example:
"Clinical Engineering found the original cartridge had visible contamination at the sample-entry area and a replacement cartridge accepted the specimen normally."

Resolution

What action was taken.

Example:
"Removed the compromised cartridge, verified normal sample loading and assay initiation with an appropriate replacement cartridge, and returned the analyzer to service."

Helpful Details to Include (If Known)

• Exact insufficient-sample message.
• Cartridge type and lot.
• Specimen condition.
• Whether bubbles or clotting were visible.
• Number of cartridges attempted.
• Known-good cartridge result.
• Whether a fresh specimen was tried.
• Visible contamination or leakage.
• Analyzer startup state.
• Final verification result.

• Exact insufficient-sample message.
• Cartridge type and lot.
• Specimen condition.
• Whether bubbles or clotting were visible.
• Number of cartridges attempted.
• Known-good cartridge result.
• Whether a fresh specimen was tried.
• Visible contamination or leakage.
• Analyzer startup state.
• Final verification result.

Final Thought

Protect the specimen and patient workflow, check sample and cartridge conditions before suspecting the analyzer, verify the correction with repeatable loading, and escalate persistent failures with complete CCR documentation.

That is successful troubleshooting.