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What This Guide Helps With
Troubleshoot unrecognized reagents or incorrect inventory caused by installation, identification, expiration, seating, consumable condition, or analyzer synchronization issues.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting
1. Protect Patient Testing and Confirm the Inventory Problem
Do not use the analyzer for patient testing when required reagents or consumables are not recognized or their status cannot be trusted. Route testing to another verified analyzer as needed.
Record the exact reagent or consumable shown as missing, invalid, unavailable, or incorrectly reported.
Expected outcome: The affected reagent or consumable and the exact analyzer indication are identified.
2. Verify the Correct Consumable Is Installed
Confirm the installed reagent or consumable is approved for the ABL90 FLEX PLUS and is the intended item for the analyzer.
Check visible labeling, package condition, expiration information, and any other manufacturer-provided identification that can be verified without altering the consumable.
Expected outcome: The correct, in-date, undamaged consumable is installed. If an incorrect or expired item is found and replacement restores recognition, troubleshooting can stop after verification.
3. Inspect Installation and Seating
Verify the reagent or consumable is fully and correctly seated in its intended position. Check for packaging material, misalignment, bent external features, contamination, or another obvious obstruction.
Do not force a consumable into place.
Expected outcome: The consumable is installed securely and correctly. If reseating restores recognition and inventory displays correctly, troubleshooting can stop after required checks.
4. Inspect Identification Areas
Where externally visible, inspect labels, barcodes, identification surfaces, and corresponding accessible reader areas for dirt, condensation, blood, damage, or obstruction.
Clean only using approved procedures and materials.
Expected outcome: Identification surfaces are clean and readable. If recognition returns, verify inventory status and troubleshooting can stop.
5. Compare With a Known-Good Consumable
If available and permitted, install an approved known-good consumable of the correct type.
This helps distinguish a consumable-specific problem from an analyzer recognition problem.
Expected outcome: The known-good consumable is recognized and inventory updates correctly. If so, remove the suspect consumable from use according to laboratory procedure.
6. Verify Inventory Information After Replacement or Reseating
Allow the analyzer to complete its normal recognition and inventory-update process. Confirm the displayed reagent status corresponds reasonably with the installed consumable.
Do not manually alter protected inventory values or service configuration to make the displayed status match expectations.
Expected outcome: Inventory information updates correctly and remains stable.
7. Check for Broader Recognition Problems
Determine whether the analyzer fails to recognize only one consumable or multiple properly installed consumables.
A single-item failure may follow the consumable. Multiple recognition failures increase concern for the analyzer's reader, interface, software, or internal sensing system.
Expected outcome: The scope of the problem is established. Persistent failure across known-good consumables warrants escalation.
8. Perform Final Functional Verification
After correct reagent recognition is restored, confirm the analyzer reaches its normal ready state and complete required calibration, quality-control, or functional checks before patient testing.
Expected outcome: Reagent status and inventory are correct, required checks pass, and the analyzer is suitable for clinical use.
If the Problem Persists
Incorrect consumable selection, installation, seating, labeling, contamination, and a defective individual consumable have been ruled out. The remaining cause may involve the recognition reader, consumable interface, inventory software, sensor system, or another service-level condition.
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 alter protected inventory values, bypass recognition functions, or access internal readers without authorized service procedures. Complete required calibration and quality verification following repair.
Knowing when to stop external troubleshooting and escalate is proper troubleshooting.
Clinical Use Tip
Do not rely on patient results when the analyzer cannot reliably verify the reagent or consumable required to produce those results.
Work Order Documentation (CCR Method)
CCR = Complaint, Cause, Resolution
Complaint
What was reported by the clinical staff.
Example:
"Laboratory staff reported that the Radiometer ABL90 FLEX PLUS showed a required consumable as not recognized after replacement."
Cause
What was observed during troubleshooting.
Example:
"Clinical Engineering found the consumable was not fully seated in its installed position."
Resolution
What action was taken.
Example:
"Clinical Engineering reseated the consumable, verified correct recognition and inventory status, completed required quality checks, and returned the analyzer to service."
Helpful Details to Include (If Known)
- Exact reagent or consumable involved
- Displayed inventory condition
- Expiration status
- Package and label condition
- Seating and alignment findings
- Barcode or identification-surface condition
- Known-good consumable comparison
- Whether one or multiple consumables were affected
- Inventory status after correction
- Required calibration or QC results
- Final device status
Final Thought
Verify the consumable itself, installation, identification, and displayed inventory before assuming an analyzer failure. Confirm the correction through quality testing and escalate recognition problems that persist with known-good consumables.
That is successful troubleshooting.