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Manufacturer
Model
What This Guide Helps With
Evaluating reported mechanical damage affecting the power button, screen hinge, handle integrity, or safe reliable operation.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting
1. Ensure Patient Safety First
Remove the McGRATH MAC from clinical use if the handle, power button, or screen hinge appears damaged, loose, cracked, unstable, or unreliable.
If the device is needed for an airway procedure, provide clinical staff with another verified functional video laryngoscope before troubleshooting.
Expected outcome: The affected device is evaluated away from patient care, with no airway procedure depending on damaged equipment.
Why it matters: A damaged video laryngoscope may fail during airway visualization or become unsafe to manipulate during intubation.
2. Confirm the Reported Damage
Ask staff what occurred before the concern was noticed, such as a drop, impact, difficulty powering on, loose display, or visible handle damage.
Inspect the exterior for:
- Cracks, splits, sharp edges, or separation of the handle housing
- Evidence of impact, fluid entry, discoloration, or deformation
- A power button that is missing, stuck, recessed, loose, or difficult to actuate
- A screen that is cracked, separated, unusually loose, or unable to remain positioned
- A hinge area that appears broken, distorted, or unstable
Do not continue functional testing if sharp edges, exposed internal components, fluid intrusion, or major structural damage is present.
Expected outcome: The damage is clearly characterized and severe damage is immediately identified for removal from service.
3. Inspect the Blade Interface and Camera Area
With no blade installed, visually inspect the distal blade mounting area and camera/light window for cracks, deformation, residue, or damage related to the reported impact.
Install a new compatible disposable blade only if the handle remains structurally intact and safe to test. Confirm the blade attaches normally without unusual force, looseness, or misalignment.
Expected outcome: The blade attaches securely and the camera/light area has no visible damage.
If the blade cannot be attached normally or the interface is damaged, stop troubleshooting and remove the device from service.
4. Check the Battery Connection and External Power Condition
Inspect the installed compatible battery for secure seating, damage, contamination, swelling, or cracked housing. Reseat the battery as appropriate, or install a known-good compatible battery if battery condition is questionable.
The McGRATH MAC uses a battery-powered handle and provides battery status information during operation.
Expected outcome: A known-good battery is securely installed and the device is ready for a controlled power-on test.
If the battery compartment, battery connection area, or surrounding handle housing is damaged, stop and remove the device from service.
5. Evaluate Power Button Operation
Press the power button normally once while observing the device response. Do not repeatedly force or manipulate a damaged button.
Check whether:
- The display powers on normally
- The button has a normal tactile feel
- The device remains powered on without intermittent shutdown
- Operation changes when light pressure is released from the button
The McGRATH MAC is designed with single-button functionality; unreliable actuation may prevent dependable clinical operation.
Expected outcome: The device powers on consistently with normal button actuation.
If the button sticks, requires excessive pressure, fails intermittently, or causes unstable operation, remove the device from service.
6. Evaluate the Screen and Hinge Without Forcing Movement
With the device powered on and unoccupied by a patient, gently move the screen only through its normal positioning range. Do not force a resistant or damaged hinge.
Inspect for:
- Excessive looseness or wobble
- Screen position that will not hold
- Binding, cracking, grinding, or clicking
- Image interruption while the screen is repositioned
- Separation or visible damage at the hinge
The McGRATH MAC handle includes a reinforced screen hinge; visible looseness, breakage, or loss of stable positioning warrants repair evaluation.
Expected outcome: The screen adjusts normally, stays in position, and maintains a stable image.
If hinge damage or unstable screen positioning is found, stop troubleshooting and remove the device from service.
7. Verify Image and Illumination After External Inspection
If the device remains mechanically intact and safe to test, use a new compatible disposable blade and confirm:
- The screen displays an image
- The light source illuminates
- The image remains stable while holding the handle normally
- No image loss occurs during gentle normal repositioning of the display
Do not use the device clinically merely because an image is present if the handle, hinge, or power button remains damaged or unreliable.
Expected outcome: The device provides a stable image with no evidence that the reported damage affects operation.
8. Determine Final Device Status
Return the device to service only when all of the following are true:
- No cracks, sharp edges, housing separation, or fluid-entry concern is present
- The power button functions normally and consistently
- The screen hinge is stable and securely holds position
- The blade attaches correctly
- The image and illumination remain stable
- The device is cleaned or disinfected according to departmental and manufacturer-approved procedures before release
Expected outcome: The final status is clear: safely returned to service after successful evaluation, or removed from service for repair.
If the Problem Persists
When visible damage, unreliable power-button operation, hinge instability, handle cracking, or image interruption remains after basic external checks, common easily correctable causes have been ruled out. The issue is likely a mechanical or internal device failure.
The McGRATH MAC should be:
- Removed from service
- Labeled Out of Service
- Sent for repair, replacement evaluation, or bench assessment according to department policy
Do not attempt internal handle, hinge, button, or display repairs as part of basic troubleshooting. Knowing when to stop and escalate is proper Clinical Engineering troubleshooting.
Clinical Use Tip
Do not troubleshoot a damaged video laryngoscope during an active airway procedure. Ensure another functional airway visualization device is immediately available before evaluating the affected unit.
Work Order Documentation (CCR Method)
CCR = Complaint, Cause, Resolution
Complaint
What was reported by the clinical staff.
Example:
"Anesthesia reported that the McGRATH MAC display hinge was loose and the screen would not remain positioned during setup for intubation."
Cause
What was observed during troubleshooting.
Example:
"Inspection found excessive hinge movement with unstable screen positioning; power-on image remained present, but the display could not be reliably positioned for clinical use."
Resolution
What action was taken.
Example:
"Removed the McGRATH MAC from service, applied an Out of Service label, provided the department with a replacement unit, and routed the damaged handle for repair evaluation."
Helpful Details to Include (If Known)
- Whether the device was reportedly dropped or struck
- Visible handle cracks, housing separation, or sharp edges
- Power button condition and response
- Battery inspected or known-good battery installed
- Blade interface condition
- Screen hinge looseness, binding, or inability to hold position
- Image and illumination behavior during controlled testing
- Any unusual heat, odor, fluid intrusion, or discoloration
- Replacement device provided to the clinical department
- Final device status: returned to service or removed for repair
Final Thought
A video laryngoscope with mechanical damage must be evaluated as an airway safety concern, not simply a cosmetic issue. Begin with patient safety, confirm external damage and function logically, and remove the unit from service whenever dependable use cannot be verified. Clear CCR documentation helps protect patients, staff, and the repair process.
That is successful troubleshooting.