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What This Guide Helps With
This guide helps troubleshoot PA_ERROR_ROM_TEST with therapy service code a213 on the Physio-Control LIFEPAK 15. This error indicates a ROM CRC test failure and may affect therapy system reliability.
A ROM CRC failure should be treated as a serious therapy system integrity warning. The device should not be used for patient monitoring, pacing, cardioversion, or defibrillation until the condition is evaluated and the unit passes required checks.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting
Ensure Patient Safety First
- Remove the LIFEPAK 15 from patient use if the error is active, recurring, or associated with a therapy service indication.
- Do not use the device for patient monitoring, pacing, cardioversion, or defibrillation until the fault is resolved and the unit passes required checks.
- Transfer patient care to another verified defibrillator before troubleshooting.
- Expected: Patient care is transferred to another verified defibrillator.
- Why it matters: A ROM CRC failure can indicate a system integrity fault within the therapy electronics or stored program code area.
Verify the Reported Error and Behavior
- Confirm the exact reported error is PA_ERROR_ROM_TEST.
- Confirm the associated therapy service code is a213.
- Confirm the service information indicates ROM CRC test failed.
- Check whether the error appears at startup, during self-test, during operator check, intermittently after power cycling, after battery replacement, or after service log review.
- Expected: The error is clearly observed or confirmed from the service log.
- Why it matters: This confirms a true system-reported therapy fault instead of a user complaint, accessory issue, or unrelated power problem.
Remove the Device From Service
- If PA_ERROR_ROM_TEST is active or recorded as a persistent therapy service code, remove the LIFEPAK 15 from clinical use.
- Attach an Out of Service label.
- Notify the department that another defibrillator should be used.
- Expected: The affected unit is isolated from patient care.
- Why it matters: Therapy-related self-test faults should not be cleared casually or returned to service without proper evaluation.
Check Basic External Conditions First
- Verify the LIFEPAK 15 is connected to a known-good power source or has a known-good charged battery installed.
- Inspect the battery contacts for obvious damage, contamination, or looseness.
- Inspect the battery latch area for looseness, poor fit, or damage.
- Inspect the external power connection for obvious damage, contamination, or intermittent connection.
- Expected: The device powers normally without signs of unstable input power.
- Why it matters: Poor power or unstable startup conditions can sometimes reveal or trigger internal fault reporting, even when the root issue is internal.
Recheck With a Known-Good Battery
- Install a known-good, fully charged LIFEPAK 15 battery.
- Power the unit on and observe whether the same PA_ERROR_ROM_TEST condition returns.
- Expected: Device starts normally without the therapy service code.
- If resolved, document the battery-related finding, perform required operational checks, and return the device to service only after it passes facility-required testing.
- Why it matters: This rules out a weak or defective battery contributing to abnormal startup behavior.
Inspect External Condition of the Device
- Check the unit for recent drop damage.
- Look for signs of fluid intrusion or contamination.
- Inspect for cracked housing or damaged exterior parts.
- Inspect the therapy connector area for obvious damage.
- Check for loose battery fit, burning smell, unusual heat, failed startup sequence, or other service indicators.
- Expected: No external damage or contamination is found.
- Why it matters: Physical damage or fluid exposure can support escalation instead of repeated troubleshooting attempts.
Process and Review the Service Log
- Access and process the service log according to facility procedure.
- Confirm whether PA_ERROR_ROM_TEST / a213 appears as a current or repeated entry.
- Look for related therapy or power errors occurring near the same time.
- Expected: The service log confirms whether the fault is isolated, repeated, or part of a larger device failure pattern.
- Why it matters: The log helps determine whether this was a one-time event or a persistent system integrity fault requiring repair.
Perform a Controlled Power Cycle Only After Safety Isolation
- Confirm the unit has already been removed from service before power cycling.
- Power the device off.
- Remove external power and battery power briefly.
- Reinstall a known-good battery and restart the unit.
- Observe whether PA_ERROR_ROM_TEST returns.
- Expected: The device starts without the ROM CRC error.
- If resolved, continue with required operational testing before considering return to service.
- Why it matters: A controlled restart may clear a transient startup state, but it does not override the need to verify therapy readiness.
Run Required Operator or Performance Checks
- If the error does not return, perform the facility-required operator check.
- Complete the required defibrillator readiness check.
- Complete any required safety or performance verification before return to service.
- Confirm there are no active service indicators or repeated therapy service codes.
- Expected: The LIFEPAK 15 passes all required checks without recurring PA_ERROR_ROM_TEST.
- If resolved, document the checks performed and return the device to service per facility policy.
- Why it matters: A defibrillator must prove readiness before being placed back into clinical use.
Determine Whether the Fault Is Device-Related
- If PA_ERROR_ROM_TEST returns with known-good power, a known-good battery, and no external cause identified, treat the condition as internal device-related.
- Do not attempt board-level troubleshooting at the bedside or in the clinical area.
- Expected: The unit remains Out of Service and is escalated for repair.
- Why it matters: A ROM CRC test failure is not a normal accessory, cable, pad, battery, or user-configuration issue.
If the Problem Persists
If PA_ERROR_ROM_TEST / service code a213 persists after basic external checks, known-good battery testing, controlled restart, and service log review, external and common causes have been ruled out.
A persistent ROM CRC test failure strongly indicates an internal therapy system or stored-code integrity fault.
The LIFEPAK 15 should be removed from service, labeled Out of Service, sent for authorized repair or bench evaluation, and documented with the service code and service log findings.
Knowing when to stop is proper troubleshooting.
Clinical Use Tip
Never troubleshoot this error on an active patient. Move patient care to another verified defibrillator before evaluating the LIFEPAK 15. A defibrillator with an unresolved therapy service code should not be relied on for emergency therapy, pacing, cardioversion, or monitoring.
Work Order Documentation (CCR Method)
CCR = Complaint, Cause, Resolution
Complaint
What was reported by the clinical staff.
Example:
"User reported LIFEPAK 15 displayed PA_ERROR_ROM_TEST with therapy service code a213. Service information indicated ROM CRC test failed. Device removed from patient use for evaluation."
Cause
What was observed during troubleshooting.
Example:
"Known-good battery and external power checks did not identify an external power or accessory cause. Service log confirmed PA_ERROR_ROM_TEST / a213 condition, indicating likely internal therapy system or ROM integrity fault."
Resolution
What action was taken.
Example:
"Processed service log, verified fault condition, removed LIFEPAK 15 from service, labeled Out of Service, and escalated unit for repair/bench evaluation. Device not returned to clinical use."
Helpful Details to Include (If Known)
- Alarm behavior or error behavior, including whether PA_ERROR_ROM_TEST occurred at startup, self-test, operator check, or after power cycling.
- Accessories swapped, including batteries, power adapter, therapy cable, or other external items checked during evaluation.
- Power behavior, including battery used during testing, external power source tested, startup behavior, and known-good battery result.
- Environmental factors, including any signs of drop damage, fluid intrusion, heat, odor, contamination, or storage conditions.
- Indicator lights, including Service LED status, service indicators, failed startup sequence, or related therapy service codes.
- Final device status, including whether the unit was returned to service, remained Out of Service, or was sent for repair or bench evaluation.
Final Thought
PA_ERROR_ROM_TEST on the LIFEPAK 15 should be treated as a serious therapy system integrity warning. Clinical Engineering should confirm the reported code, rule out simple external power issues, review the service log, and avoid unnecessary internal disassembly. If the error persists, escalation is the correct and safest action. Clear CCR documentation protects patient safety, supports repair decisions, and shows that troubleshooting was logical and complete.
That is successful troubleshooting.