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Asset Type
Electrocardiograph (EKG) Machine
Manufacturer
Model
What This Guide Helps With
Troubleshooting display loss or distortion caused by power, brightness, startup state, viewing conditions, contamination, damage, or internal display failure.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting
1. Ensure Patient Safety and Continuity of Care
Do not use an EKG machine when patient information, lead status, prompts, alarms, or acquired waveforms cannot be read reliably.
Notify clinical staff and move the patient to another verified EKG machine. Do not continue entering patient data or acquiring ECGs by memory or touch position.
Expected outcome: The patient receives ECG testing on a device with a fully readable display.
2. Confirm the Exact Display Condition
Determine whether the display is:
- Completely blank.
- Very dim.
- Flickering.
- Distorted or discolored.
- Missing lines or sections.
- Visible only at certain angles.
- Normal during startup but abnormal afterward.
- Abnormal only on battery or AC power.
- Accompanied by normal sounds, printing, or keyboard response.
Expected outcome: The problem is categorized as total power loss, backlight failure, intermittent display, image corruption, or power-source-related behavior.
3. Check for Physical Damage or Unsafe Conditions
Inspect for:
- Cracked display surface.
- Impact damage.
- Fluid intrusion.
- Loose housing.
- Burning odor.
- Excessive heat.
- Discoloration near the display or power inlet.
Do not continue powering the device if there is evidence of fluid intrusion, overheating, or electrical damage.
Expected outcome: Unsafe physical conditions are identified before additional testing.
4. Verify Device Power
Check whether:
Power indicators illuminate.
The printer or fan operates.
Startup tones occur.
Keys or controls respond.
The device appears to acquire an ECG despite the blank screen.
Inspect and reseat the power cord. Test a known-good approved outlet.
Expected outcome: The EKG machine receives power and the display problem is distinguished from a complete device power failure.
5. Compare AC and Battery Operation
Observe the display on AC power and battery power under controlled bench conditions.
Expected outcome:
If the display fails only on one power source, investigate the associated external power or battery condition.
If the display is abnormal on both, continue display-specific checks.
6. Adjust Brightness Through Normal Controls
If enough of the display is visible, use only normal operator controls to check brightness or display settings.
Compare with a working ELI Series device. Do not enter restricted service menus or alter calibration values.
Expected outcome: The display becomes clearly readable at a normal approved setting. If brightness correction resolves the issue consistently, troubleshooting can stop after verification.
7. Check Ambient Lighting and Viewing Angle
Move the unit away from direct sunlight, glare, or unusually bright procedure lighting.
View the screen from normal operating positions and confirm the display is not merely obscured by a privacy filter, protective film, residue, or extreme viewing angle.
Expected outcome: The display remains readable in normal clinical lighting and viewing positions.
8. Clean the Display Surface
Power the unit down before cleaning when appropriate.
Clean the display using an approved method. Remove fingerprints, dried disinfectant, adhesive residue, or protective-film haze without allowing moisture to enter the housing.
Expected outcome: The display image is unobstructed and readable. If surface contamination caused the problem, complete verification and stop.
9. Disconnect Nonessential Accessories
With the unit powered down, disconnect USB media, barcode scanner, network cable, and optional external accessories.
Restart the EKG machine with only essential approved connections.
Expected outcome: The display initializes normally without an external accessory affecting startup or software operation.
10. Perform a Controlled Restart
Save any accessible records first.
Perform a normal shutdown and restart. Observe whether the manufacturer screen, startup progress, and operating display appear normally.
Expected outcome: The display remains stable through startup and normal operation.
11. Check for Intermittent Behavior
Without opening the device, observe whether flickering changes when:
- The device is moved slightly on the bench.
- The lid or display angle is adjusted, if applicable.
- The power cord is gently repositioned.
- The unit changes between AC and battery power.
Do not twist, strike, or flex the housing.
Expected outcome: No flicker, image loss, or distortion occurs during normal external movement. Any position-dependent failure requires removal from service.
12. Verify Core Device Functions
Using an ECG simulator:
Confirm patient-entry fields are readable.
Verify all lead waveforms can be seen.
Acquire a test ECG.
Review the saved record.
Print or transmit the result.
Confirm status messages remain visible.
Expected outcome: The display remains clear, stable, and fully readable throughout a complete test workflow. Troubleshooting can stop.
13. Escalate Any Persistent Display Abnormality
Remove the device from service if:
- The display is intermittently blank.
- Brightness cannot be restored.
- Flickering recurs.
- Waveforms or patient information are distorted.
- Sections of the screen are missing.
- The image changes with normal device movement.
- The display cannot be trusted during clinical use.
Expected outcome: A device with an unreliable visual interface is not returned to patient care.
If the Problem Persists
Common external causes involving power, outlet condition, battery behavior, brightness, glare, contamination, accessories, and temporary software state have been ruled out. The remaining issue may involve the display assembly, backlight, internal cable, graphics circuitry, power regulation, or device software.
The device should be:
- Removed from service.
- Labeled Out of Service.
- Sent for repair or bench evaluation.
- Evaluated using appropriate Mortara documentation and approved test equipment.
- Repaired only by qualified personnel.
Do not continue operating the EKG machine by relying on printed output alone when patient data, controls, lead status, or system messages cannot be viewed.
After repair, complete electrical safety testing when required and verify display stability through startup, ECG acquisition, review, printing, transmission, and normal movement.
Knowing when to stop and escalate an intermittent display is proper troubleshooting.
Clinical Use Tip
A flickering or partially readable screen is unsafe even when the device still prints, because patient identity, lead status, and prompts may be missed.
Work Order Documentation (CCR Method)
CCR = Complaint, Cause, Resolution
Complaint
What was reported by the clinical staff.
Example:
"Clinical staff reported that the Mortara ELI Series display was very dim and difficult to read during ECG setup."
Cause
What was observed during troubleshooting.
Example:
"Clinical Engineering found the display brightness had been reduced to its lowest normal setting."
Resolution
What action was taken.
Example:
"Restored the approved brightness setting, verified stable display operation during a simulator ECG, and returned the unit to service."
Helpful Details to Include (If Known)
- Blank, dim, flickering, or distorted condition.
- AC and battery behavior.
- Power indicators and startup sounds.
- Outlet test result.
- Brightness setting.
- Ambient-light conditions.
- Evidence of impact or fluid exposure.
- Accessories connected.
- Behavior during restart.
- Position-dependent flicker.
- Simulator ECG result.
- Final device status.
Final Thought
Patient information and waveforms must remain fully visible throughout ECG acquisition. Verify power, settings, environment, surface condition, and software state before assuming internal failure, but remove the device from service whenever the display remains unreliable. Document both the observed condition and final functional verification.
That is successful troubleshooting.