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What This Guide Helps With
Troubleshoot aspiration-related errors caused by sample condition, positioning, contamination, obstruction, consumables, or accessible fluid-path problems.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting
1. Protect Patient Testing and Confirm the Error
Do not continue patient testing on an analyzer that cannot aspirate samples reliably. Route urgent specimens to another verified analyzer.
Record the exact aspiration or sampling message and determine whether the issue occurs before aspiration, during sample draw, or repeatedly with multiple specimens.
Expected outcome: The failure stage is identified and unreliable testing has stopped.
2. Inspect the Patient Sample and Container
Check the sample for visible clots, excessive air, insufficient volume, leakage, damaged container components, or other conditions that could interfere with aspiration.
Use proper biohazard precautions and avoid manipulating the specimen in a way that could alter results.
Expected outcome: The sample and container are suitable for aspiration. If the sample is unsuitable, obtain or use an appropriate specimen according to laboratory policy.
3. Verify Sample Presentation
Confirm the sample container is correctly positioned at the analyzer's sample interface without excessive force or misalignment.
Inspect the accessible sample presentation area for dried blood, debris, or visible damage.
Expected outcome: The sample is correctly presented and the accessible sampling area is clean and unobstructed.
4. Perform Approved External Cleaning
If contamination is present, clean the externally accessible sample interface using approved cleaning procedures and materials.
Do not insert improvised tools into internal aspiration paths or disassemble the sampling mechanism.
Expected outcome: Accessible residue is removed. If aspiration then operates normally, verify with control material and troubleshooting can stop.
5. Compare With a Known-Good Control or Sample
Use an appropriate known-good control or suitable sample container to determine whether the error follows the original specimen or remains with the analyzer.
Expected outcome: The analyzer aspirates the known-good material normally. If so, the original specimen or container was the likely cause.
6. Check Related Consumables and Waste Conditions
Verify that required reagent, wash, fluid, and waste components are correctly installed, recognized, and not showing an externally correctable condition.
An aspiration error may be secondary to another fluidics problem.
Expected outcome: Related consumables and waste conditions are normal. If correcting one of these conditions restores aspiration, perform final verification.
7. Observe for Repeated Aspiration Failure
Determine whether the error recurs with multiple properly prepared samples or controls. Do not continue repeated aspiration attempts if the same failure persists.
Expected outcome: Either aspiration is restored consistently or the failure is confirmed as analyzer-related and ready for escalation.
8. Perform Final Functional Verification
After correction, verify successful aspiration and processing of appropriate control material and complete required QC before clinical use.
Expected outcome: Aspiration operates consistently without repeated error, required QC is acceptable, and the analyzer may return to service.
If the Problem Persists
Sample quality, presentation, accessible contamination, consumables, and external fluidics conditions have been ruled out. Persistent aspiration errors may involve an internal sampling mechanism, valve, pump, sensor, fluidic pathway, or other service-level component.
The analyzer should be:
- Removed from service.
- Labeled Out of Service.
- Sent for repair or bench evaluation.
- Evaluated using appropriate Radiometer documentation and approved test equipment.
- Repaired or configured only by qualified personnel.
Do not probe internal aspiration tubing, dismantle the sampling assembly, or access restricted service functions without authorized procedures. Complete required functional and QC testing after repair.
Knowing when to stop external troubleshooting and escalate is proper troubleshooting.
Clinical Use Tip
Avoid repeated aspiration attempts on a limited blood gas specimen because sample integrity and available volume may be compromised.
Work Order Documentation (CCR Method)
CCR = Complaint, Cause, Resolution
Complaint
What was reported by the clinical staff.
Example:
"Laboratory staff reported repeated aspiration errors when attempting to test samples on the Radiometer ABL90 FLEX PLUS."
Cause
What was observed during troubleshooting.
Example:
"Clinical Engineering found dried blood residue at the externally accessible sample interface that interfered with sample presentation."
Resolution
What action was taken.
Example:
"Clinical Engineering cleaned the accessible sampling area using the approved procedure, verified successful aspiration with control material, confirmed acceptable QC, and returned the analyzer to service."
Helpful Details to Include (If Known)
- Exact aspiration message
- Stage at which the failure occurred
- Sample type and container condition
- Visible clotting or bubbles
- Available sample volume
- Accessible sampling-area condition
- Known-good control comparison
- Reagent and waste status
- Cleaning performed
- QC result after correction
- Final device status
Final Thought
Aspiration problems should be approached from the sample outward: verify specimen condition, presentation, contamination, consumables, and fluidics readiness before suspecting internal mechanisms. Confirm reliable aspiration and QC before return to service.
That is successful troubleshooting.