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What This Guide Helps With
This guide assists Clinical Engineering in troubleshooting Puritan Bennett 560 ventilators that fail their pre-use self-test. Pre-use self-test failures prevent the ventilator from entering clinical service, may trigger alarms, or indicate potential safety risks. Most causes are external or easily verifiable, such as setup errors, disconnections, or environmental factors. Internal component failures are less common but possible.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting
Verify Power Source
- Ensure the ventilator is connected to a functional AC outlet.
- Check that the power cord is fully seated.
- Why: Inadequate power can cause self-test failure or incomplete initialization.
Check Battery Status
- Confirm the internal battery has sufficient charge.
- If battery is low, allow charging or replace with a known good battery.
- Why: Low battery can prevent successful self-test completion.
Inspect Circuit and Connections
- Ensure patient circuit is correctly attached, no kinks, leaks, or loose connections.
- Verify sensors, flow sensors, and pressure lines are properly seated.
- Why: Disconnects or leaks often trigger self-test failures.
Confirm Environmental Conditions
- Ensure ambient temperature and humidity are within manufacturer specifications.
- Remove any obstructions near air intakes or exhausts.
- Why: Extreme conditions can affect turbine performance and self-test.
Reset the Ventilator
- Power down, wait 30 seconds, and power back on.
- Run the self-test again.
- Why: Sometimes a simple reset resolves minor electronic glitches.
Swap Known Good Accessories
- Replace patient circuit, flow sensors, or connectors with verified functional units.
- Why: External components can cause false test failures.
Check for Active Alarms or Error Logs
- Review any messages displayed during self-test.
- Document alarm codes for reference or escalation.
- Why: Error codes can indicate specific sensors or components causing failure.
If the Problem Persists
If external factors and accessories are verified functional and self-test continues to fail:
- Remove ventilator from service.
- Label as Out of Service.
- Send to Biomedical Engineering bench or manufacturer repair.
Do not attempt internal repairs beyond authorized Clinical Engineering procedures. Knowing when to escalate is part of proper troubleshooting.
Clinical Use Tip
- Patient safety first: Never perform self-test troubleshooting with an active patient connected.
- Move patient to another ventilator if needed.
- Perform troubleshooting only when the device is safely offline.
Work Order Documentation (CCR Method)
CCR = Complaint, Cause, Resolution
Complaint
What was reported by the clinical staff.
Example:
“Ventilator fails pre-use self-test; displays error codes and will not enter clinical service.”
Cause
What was observed during troubleshooting.
Example:
“External verification showed patient circuit disconnected and low battery. All accessories reseated, power verified, environmental conditions normal.”
Resolution
What action was taken.
Example:
“Ventilator reset and self-test rerun after reconnections. If failure persists, removed from service and labeled Out of Service for repair.”
Helpful Details to Include
- Outlet tested with other equipment
- Power cord fully seated
- Battery voltage or charge status
- Patient circuit and sensors inspected
- Alarms displayed during self-test
- Reset attempts and results
- Final device status (operational or Out of Service)
Final Thought
Effective troubleshooting prioritizes patient safety, logical stepwise evaluation, and knowing when to escalate. Proper documentation ensures clarity, supports future maintenance, and reduces risk. Always verify external factors before assuming internal failure.
That is successful troubleshooting.