On this page
Asset Type
Manufacturer
Model
What This Guide Helps With
Troubleshooting used-strip disposal, waste tray detection, tray overflow, strip jam, or disposal path issues on the Roche Urisys 1800.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting
Ensure Patient Safety First
Confirm the Urisys 1800 is not actively processing patient urine strips before removing trays, covers, or clearing the disposal area.
If patient testing is urgent, have laboratory staff use another validated urine analyzer or follow approved downtime testing procedures.
Expected outcome: Troubleshooting is performed without interrupting active testing or risking questionable patient results.
Stop Testing and Confirm Result Status
Ask staff whether any patient strip was in process when the waste tray or disposal issue occurred.
Confirm whether the result completed, was rejected, or needs to be repeated according to lab policy.
Expected outcome: No incomplete or questionable urine chemistry result is released.
Verify the Reported Disposal Problem
Ask staff what they observed:
- Used strip not dropping into the waste tray
- Waste tray full message
- Waste tray missing or not detected
- Strip stuck near the transport path
- Used strips backing up
- Tray difficult to insert or remove
- Analyzer stops during disposal
- Odor, leakage, or contamination around the waste area
Expected outcome: The problem is confirmed as a strip disposal or waste tray issue, not a general transport, optics, or LIS issue.
Inspect the Waste Tray Externally
Remove the waste tray only when the analyzer is idle and safe to access.
Check that the tray is fully seated, correctly oriented, and not cracked, warped, overfilled, or obstructed by stacked strips.
Expected outcome: The waste tray can be removed, inspected, emptied, and reinstalled correctly.
If the tray was full, misaligned, or not seated and the message clears after correction, return the analyzer to service after successful verification.
Empty and Clean the Waste Tray
Empty used strips according to laboratory biohazard waste procedure.
Inspect the tray for dried urine residue, disinfectant buildup, crystallized material, or debris that could prevent proper strip drop-off or tray seating.
Clean using facility-approved cleaning materials compatible with the analyzer exterior and waste components.
Expected outcome: The tray is clean, dry, and able to sit flat in its normal position.
Check for Strips Stuck Near the Disposal Area
With the analyzer stopped and safe to access, visually inspect the user-accessible strip exit and disposal path.
Remove any loose or partially dropped strip that can be accessed without forcing covers, tools, or internal disassembly.
Expected outcome: No visible strip is blocking the disposal path.
If a visible obstruction is removed and the analyzer resumes normal disposal, stop troubleshooting and document the correction.
Verify Tray Reinstallation
Reinstall the waste tray slowly and confirm it slides fully into position without resistance.
Check for gaps, rocking, or interference from the bench surface, nearby objects, or waste bin liner material.
Expected outcome: The tray seats normally and the analyzer no longer reports the tray as missing or full.
Check Analyzer Position and Work Surface
Confirm the Urisys 1800 is on a stable, level surface with adequate clearance around the waste tray area.
A tilted analyzer, crowded bench, or object pressing against the tray can interfere with strip drop-off or tray detection.
Expected outcome: The analyzer is level, stable, and the waste tray area is unobstructed.
Inspect for Liquid Spill or Contamination
Check around the waste tray opening, analyzer base, and surrounding bench for urine, disinfectant, or cleaning fluid intrusion.
Look for unusual odor, sticky residue, visible corrosion, or fluid pooling.
Expected outcome: No contamination is present that could interfere with tray movement or sensors.
If liquid intrusion, unusual smell, or suspected internal contamination is found, remove the analyzer from service and escalate.
Verify Strip Handling and Loading Practice
Confirm staff are using the correct reagent strips and following the proper loading workflow.
Improper strip placement, wet strips, curled strips, or excessive sample fluid can contribute to transport and disposal problems.
Expected outcome: Strip handling is not causing strips to drag, stick, or misfeed before reaching the waste tray.
Restart the Analyzer Only After External Checks
If no obstruction or tray issue is found, power-cycle the analyzer according to normal facility procedure.
Allow startup checks to complete and observe whether the waste tray or disposal message returns.
Expected outcome: Temporary detection or workflow errors clear after restart.
Run a Verification Check
After the tray is emptied, cleaned, and reinstalled, have authorized lab staff run QC or an approved test process per laboratory policy.
Observe strip transport through disposal.
Expected outcome: The strip travels normally and drops into the waste tray without backup, jam, or warning message.
Do Not Force the Tray or Internal Mechanism
If the tray will not seat, the strip path remains blocked, or the analyzer repeatedly reports a waste tray condition after cleaning and reseating, stop troubleshooting.
Forcing the tray or internal strip transport components can damage the analyzer and may create unreliable test handling.
Expected outcome: The device is protected from additional damage and the issue is escalated appropriately.
If the Problem Persists
If the Urisys 1800 still shows a waste tray, strip disposal, tray full, tray missing, or strip backup condition after external checks, the common user-accessible causes have been ruled out.
The device should be:
- Removed from service
- Labeled Out of Service
- Sent for repair or bench evaluation
The issue may involve an internal tray detection switch, strip transport mechanism, disposal chute alignment, sensor issue, contamination inside the strip path, or mechanical wear. Knowing when to stop is proper troubleshooting.
Clinical Use Tip
Do not troubleshoot the waste tray or strip disposal area while the analyzer is processing an active patient specimen. Used urine strips are biohazard material, and any unresolved disposal or transport issue can affect specimen workflow and result reliability. Move testing to another validated analyzer first when patient care could be delayed.
Work Order Documentation (CCR Method)
CCR = Complaint, Cause, Resolution
Complaint
What was reported by the clinical staff.
Example:
"Laboratory staff reported the Roche Urisys 1800 displayed a waste tray error and used reagent strips were not consistently dropping into the disposal tray."
Cause
What was observed during troubleshooting.
Example:
"Waste tray was overfilled and had dried residue preventing proper tray seating."
Resolution
What action was taken.
Example:
"Emptied and cleaned the waste tray, removed visible strip debris from the user-accessible disposal area, reinstalled the tray, and verified normal strip disposal with lab-approved testing."
Helpful Details to Include (If Known)
- Waste tray emptied
- Tray seated correctly
- Tray cracked, warped, or intact
- Used strips backed up or loose
- Any visible strip obstruction removed
- Biohazard contamination observed
- Analyzer level and bench clearance checked
- Error message or alarm behavior
- Power cycle performed
- QC or verification result after correction
- Final device status
Final Thought
Waste tray and strip disposal issues should be approached logically: protect patient results first, verify the complaint, check the tray and disposal path, clean only user-accessible areas, and stop before forcing internal mechanisms. Clear CCR documentation helps show whether the issue was caused by waste buildup, tray seating, strip handling, or a condition requiring repair.
That is successful troubleshooting.