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Manufacturer
Model
What This Guide Helps With
Evaluate tank deterioration, corrosion, pitting, or leakage and distinguish surface contamination from damage requiring removal from service.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting
1. Immediately Protect Staff and Processing
If the tank is actively leaking or its structural condition is questionable, stop using the cleaner.
Drain the tank using a safe method when appropriate and prevent solution from reaching:
- Electrical components
- Floors
- Nearby equipment
- Cabinets or building structures
Disconnect power if leakage presents an electrical hazard.
Expected outcome: The unit is no longer processing instruments and the area is protected from fluid and electrical hazards.
2. Confirm the Reported Tank Condition
Determine whether staff observed:
- Surface discoloration
- Rust-colored staining
- Pitting
- Etching
- Cracks
- Pin-hole leakage
- Leakage from a seam or fitting
- General tank corrosion
Do not assume staining is structural damage until the surface is inspected.
Expected outcome: The location and apparent type of tank deterioration are identified.
3. Clean and Inspect the Tank Surface
With the unit safely emptied and de-energized as appropriate, clean the tank using the approved procedure.
Inspect under adequate lighting for:
- Residue
- Mineral deposits
- Scratches
- Pits
- Cracks
- Areas of thinning
- Chemical attack
- Discoloration that remains after cleaning
Do not aggressively polish or grind the surface.
Expected outcome: Removable contamination is distinguished from actual material damage.
4. Review Cleaning Chemistry and Recent Use
Determine whether the facility has recently changed:
- Detergent
- Concentration
- Water source
- Disinfection chemical
- Cleaning practice
- Instrument type being processed
Verify that facility-approved chemistry and practices are being used.
Do not speculate that a specific chemical caused damage without supporting evidence.
Expected outcome: Obvious chemical-use or process issues are identified or ruled out.
5. Inspect for Foreign-Object Damage
Check whether instruments, baskets, or sharp items can contact the tank directly.
Look for localized marks that correspond with:
- Basket damage
- Loose instruments
- Sharp instrument tips
- Objects resting on the tank bottom
Expected outcome: Mechanical contact that could damage the tank is corrected or ruled out.
6. Perform a Controlled Leak Inspection
If the tank appears structurally sound enough to test and there is no electrical hazard, perform an appropriate controlled fill inspection.
Observe:
- Tank bottom
- Walls
- Drain connection
- External surfaces
- Seams and accessible fittings
Do not energize ultrasonic operation if active tank leakage could reach electrical components.
Expected outcome: The tank remains dry externally, or the leak location is confirmed.
7. Decide Whether the Tank Is Suitable for Continued Service
Minor removable staining alone may not indicate failure, but confirmed pitting, corrosion, cracking, thinning, or leakage requires evaluation against approved manufacturer service criteria.
Do not make an unsupported decision to keep a structurally damaged tank in service.
Expected outcome: The cleaner is either verified to have only removable surface contamination or is removed from service for tank evaluation.
8. Complete Final Verification if No Structural Damage Is Found
If cleaning reveals no structural deterioration and no leakage is present, verify normal ultrasonic, drain, and heater operation as applicable.
If all checks pass repeatedly, troubleshooting can stop.
Expected outcome: Tank integrity and normal cleaner operation are verified before return to service.
If the Problem Persists
Confirmed tank pitting, corrosion, cracking, thinning, or leakage is not an appropriate condition for continued external troubleshooting.
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 only by qualified personnel
Potential causes may include chemical exposure, mechanical damage, prolonged contamination, tank fatigue, or another service-level condition. The exact cause should not be assigned without evidence.
Do not attempt improvised patching, sealing, welding, grinding, or coating of the tank. Following approved repair or replacement, complete leak, cleaning-performance, and applicable electrical-safety verification before return to service.
Knowing when to stop external troubleshooting is proper troubleshooting.
Clinical Use Tip
Do not process instruments in a tank with confirmed corrosion or leakage because both cleaning effectiveness and equipment safety may be compromised.
Work Order Documentation (CCR Method)
CCR = Complaint, Cause, Resolution
Complaint
What was reported by the clinical staff.
Example:
"Sterile Processing reported discoloration and a small amount of fluid appearing beneath the UC1800 tank during use."
Cause
What was observed during troubleshooting.
Example:
"Clinical Engineering cleaned and inspected the tank and confirmed localized pitting with active seepage through the affected area."
Resolution
What action was taken.
Example:
"The cleaner was removed from service, labeled Out of Service, and sent for manufacturer-appropriate bench evaluation and tank repair or replacement before any return-to-service testing."
Helpful Details to Include (If Known)
- Location of pitting or corrosion
- Presence of active leakage
- Surface condition after cleaning
- Recent chemistry changes
- Detergent or process information
- Basket or instrument contact marks
- Drain-area condition
- Evidence of fluid near electrical components
- Photos of tank damage when permitted
- Final device status
Final Thought
Tank damage requires a conservative approach: protect staff and processing first, distinguish residue from true structural deterioration, verify leakage carefully, and stop when physical tank integrity is in doubt. Proper escalation and precise CCR documentation are essential.
That is successful troubleshooting.