On this page
Asset Type
Manufacturer
Model
What This Guide Helps With
Troubleshooting Urisys 1100 strip placement, timing, tray movement, and reading errors caused by external or user-correctable issues.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting
Ensure Patient Safety First
Confirm the analyzer is not actively processing a patient specimen.
If testing is urgent, have laboratory staff use another validated urine analyzer or follow the approved downtime procedure.
Expected outcome: Patient testing is not delayed or reported from a device with unresolved strip positioning or timing concerns.
Confirm the Reported Error
Ask the operator what happened during testing.
Check whether the issue involved:
- Strip placed too early or too late
- Strip not sitting correctly on the tray
- Analyzer not detecting the strip
- Tray movement error
- Timing error after dipping the strip
- Read failure after strip transport
- Intermittent errors with certain users or strip lots
Expected outcome: The failure is confirmed as a strip positioning, timing, or tray workflow issue.
Stop Additional Patient Testing
Do not allow continued patient testing until proper strip movement and reading are verified.
Expected outcome: No questionable urine results are produced while the analyzer may be misreading strip position or timing.
Check Strip Placement Technique
Observe the operator placing a strip on the Urisys 1100 strip tray.
Verify the strip is seated flat, aligned correctly, and positioned in the correct direction.
Expected outcome: The strip sits properly in the tray without overhang, tilt, or pad misalignment.
If correcting strip placement resolves the error, document the finding and return the device to service after successful verification.
Verify Proper Timing After Dipping the Strip
Confirm the operator is following the correct workflow after dipping and blotting the reagent strip.
The strip should not sit too long before placement, and it should not be rushed into the tray before excess urine is removed.
Expected outcome: The analyzer receives the strip within the expected test workflow window.
If timing technique was the cause, retrain the user and stop troubleshooting once successful test operation is confirmed.
Inspect the Strip Tray for Contamination
Remove the analyzer from use and inspect the strip tray area for urine residue, dried reagent, crystallization, debris, or staining.
Clean only the external/user-accessible tray surfaces according to facility procedure and manufacturer-approved cleaning guidance.
Expected outcome: The tray area is clean and free of residue that could interfere with strip positioning or movement.
Check for Mechanical Obstruction
Inspect the tray path for anything preventing smooth movement, such as a loose strip, dried fluid, paper debris, or foreign material.
Do not force the tray or disassemble the analyzer.
Expected outcome: The tray path is clear and the tray can move normally through its expected travel.
Confirm Correct Reagent Strip Type
Verify the urine reagent strips are compatible with the Roche Urisys 1100 configuration.
Confirm the strip bottle is not expired and was stored properly with the cap closed.
Expected outcome: Strip type, lot, expiration, and storage condition are acceptable.
Check for Damaged or Wet Strips
Inspect several strips from the bottle.
Look for curled strips, swollen pads, discoloration, moisture exposure, or reagent pad lifting.
Expected outcome: The strip is flat, dry before use, and physically suitable for tray placement and reading.
Try a Fresh Strip Bottle or Known-Good Lot
If available, have the lab test using a fresh bottle or known-good lot following normal QC procedure.
Expected outcome: If the error stops with a different bottle or lot, the original strips may be damaged, expired, contaminated, or poorly stored.
Verify Analyzer Is on a Stable Surface
Confirm the Urisys 1100 is placed on a level, stable bench and is not near vibration, heavy traffic, or a wet work surface.
Expected outcome: Tray movement and strip positioning are not affected by bench instability or external disturbance.
Check Power Stability
Verify the power supply is fully seated at the analyzer and wall outlet.
Confirm the outlet is live and not loose, switched off, or shared with equipment causing intermittent power drops.
Expected outcome: The analyzer remains powered and stable throughout startup and testing.
Restart the Analyzer
Power the analyzer off, wait briefly, and restart it according to normal user-level procedure.
Allow the unit to complete startup before attempting another test or QC run.
Expected outcome: Temporary workflow or startup faults are cleared.
Run QC or a Verification Test Per Lab Policy
After cleaning, strip verification, and restart, have laboratory staff run the required QC or verification process.
Expected outcome: The strip is accepted, positioned correctly, timed correctly, and read without error.
If verification passes, return the analyzer to service and document the corrective action.
Check for Repeat Failure
If the strip positioning or timing error returns after cleaning, correct strip use, known-good strips, stable power, and proper operator technique, suspect a tray drive, strip detection, sensor, or internal timing issue.
Expected outcome: External causes have been ruled out before escalation.
If the Problem Persists
If the Urisys 1100 continues to show strip positioning or timing errors after strip handling, tray cleanliness, reagent strip condition, power, surface stability, and user workflow have been checked, the issue is likely internal.
Remove the device from service, label it Out of Service, and send it for repair or bench evaluation.
Do not continue testing patient specimens on an analyzer that cannot reliably position or time urine reagent strips. Knowing when to stop is proper troubleshooting.
Clinical Use Tip
Do not troubleshoot strip positioning or timing problems while an active patient specimen is being processed. Move testing to another validated analyzer first, then troubleshoot the Urisys 1100 only when patient result integrity is protected.
Work Order Documentation (CCR Method)
CCR = Complaint, Cause, Resolution
Complaint
What was reported by the clinical staff.
Example:
"Laboratory staff reported the Roche Urisys 1100 was giving strip positioning errors during urine strip testing."
Cause
What was observed during troubleshooting.
Example:
"Inspection found dried urine residue on the strip tray area and inconsistent strip seating during operator placement."
Resolution
What action was taken.
Example:
"Cleaned the accessible tray area, verified correct strip placement technique, ran QC successfully, and returned the analyzer to service."
Helpful Details to Include (If Known)
- Exact error message displayed
- Whether the issue occurred during startup or active testing
- Whether the strip tray moved normally
- Strip lot number and expiration date
- Whether strips appeared curled, wet, or discolored
- Whether a known-good strip bottle was tested
- Whether tray area had residue or debris
- Power supply and outlet status
- QC result after troubleshooting
- Final device status
Final Thought
Strip positioning and timing issues should be approached logically before assuming analyzer failure. Protect patient results first, then verify technique, strip condition, tray cleanliness, power stability, and QC performance. If those checks do not resolve the problem, remove the analyzer from service and escalate for proper repair evaluation.
That is successful troubleshooting.