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What This Guide Helps With
Addresses oxygen-concentration complaints when supplemental oxygen is used with DreamStation 2 therapy and separates oxygen-source problems from PAP-device problems.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting
1. Protect the Patient and Maintain Required Oxygen Therapy
If the patient requires supplemental oxygen and the delivered concentration is questionable, provide an alternate verified oxygen and therapy arrangement according to the clinical plan before troubleshooting.
Expected outcome: Required respiratory support and supplemental oxygen are maintained independently of the suspect setup.
2. Clarify the Complaint
Confirm whether supplemental oxygen is actually connected to the DreamStation 2 therapy circuit and identify the oxygen source, connection method, and location where concentration was measured.
The DreamStation 2 is a PAP device and does not independently generate or regulate oxygen concentration like an oxygen concentrator or oxygen blender.
Expected outcome: The complaint is correctly identified as an oxygen-source, connection, measurement, or PAP-system interaction issue rather than an assumed internal oxygen-calibration failure.
3. Verify the Oxygen Source
Inspect the separate oxygen source for normal operation, adequate supply, secure connections, and any displayed fault or alarm.
Do not troubleshoot an oxygen concentrator, wall gas system, cylinder regulator, or other source as though it were an internal DreamStation 2 component.
Expected outcome: The supplemental oxygen source is operating correctly. If it is not, remove or repair the oxygen-source equipment according to its own service process.
4. Inspect Oxygen Tubing and Connections
Inspect supplemental oxygen tubing, connectors, approved adapters, and the breathing circuit for disconnections, kinks, leaks, damage, or incorrect assembly.
Expected outcome: Supplemental oxygen has an intact delivery path to the approved connection point.
5. Inspect the PAP Circuit for Excessive Leakage
Check the mask/interface, breathing tube, humidifier connections, and other external components for unintended leakage.
Because PAP circuits include intentional exhaust flow, excessive additional leakage can affect measured oxygen concentration at different locations in the circuit.
Expected outcome: Only expected intentional venting remains and there is no significant unintended leak.
6. Verify Measurement Method
If oxygen concentration is being measured, confirm the analyzer is appropriate, within its required calibration status, and connected at the intended measurement location.
Do not attempt to “calibrate oxygen” on the DreamStation 2 as though it contained an integrated oxygen concentration control system.
Expected outcome: The oxygen measurement is trustworthy and represents the intended point in the patient circuit.
7. Isolate the PAP Device From the Oxygen Source
Verify the DreamStation 2 operates normally as a PAP device without supplemental oxygen, then separately verify the external oxygen source using appropriate equipment.
Expected outcome: The faulty portion of the system is isolated to the PAP device, oxygen source, interface arrangement, or measurement setup.
8. Perform Final System Verification
After correcting any external issue, reassemble the approved setup and verify stable PAP operation and appropriate supplemental oxygen delivery using the applicable clinical and manufacturer procedures.
Expected outcome: The complete therapy setup operates as intended. If so, troubleshooting can stop.
9. Escalate an Unresolved Combined-System Problem
If the PAP device and oxygen source function individually but the approved combined setup remains unreliable, remove the setup from clinical use and escalate for review of compatibility, configuration, and the complete respiratory circuit.
Expected outcome: An unreliable combined therapy system is not returned to patient use.
If the Problem Persists
Common external oxygen-source, tubing, leak, connection, and measurement causes have been ruled out. The issue may involve the external oxygen equipment, circuit configuration, compatibility, environmental factors, or a DreamStation 2 performance problem affecting the combined setup.
Remove affected equipment from service as appropriate and label unreliable equipment Out of Service. Evaluate each component using its manufacturer documentation and approved test equipment. Service or configuration changes should be performed only by qualified personnel.
Verify both PAP therapy and supplemental oxygen delivery before return to service. Knowing when to stop external troubleshooting is proper troubleshooting.
Clinical Use Tip
When supplemental oxygen is used with PAP therapy, evaluate the oxygen source and PAP device as separate systems before troubleshooting their combined circuit.
Work Order Documentation (CCR Method)
CCR = Complaint, Cause, Resolution
Complaint
What was reported by the clinical staff.
Example:
"Staff reported lower-than-expected oxygen concentration while supplemental oxygen was being used with the DreamStation 2."
Cause
What was observed during troubleshooting.
Example:
"Clinical Engineering found the supplemental oxygen tubing partially disconnected from the approved circuit connection."
Resolution
What action was taken.
Example:
"Reconnected the oxygen tubing securely and verified stable PAP operation and appropriate oxygen delivery using approved test equipment."
Helpful Details to Include (If Known)
- Supplemental oxygen source used
- Oxygen connection method
- Oxygen tubing condition
- PAP circuit leak condition
- Measurement location
- Oxygen analyzer status
- PAP operation without oxygen
- Oxygen-source operation independently
- Results after correction
- Final device status
Final Thought
The DreamStation 2 provides PAP therapy rather than independent oxygen concentration control. Separate the oxygen source, PAP device, circuit, and measurement method logically before assuming equipment failure, and escalate unresolved combined-system problems appropriately.
That is successful troubleshooting.