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What This Guide Helps With
Troubleshooting sample aspiration, clot detection, insufficient sample, probe blockage, or volume-related errors using safe external checks first.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting
Ensure Patient Safety First
Confirm whether any patient samples were affected by the error.
Do not release questionable results from an aspiration, clot, or insufficient-volume event until the analyzer status and sample integrity are verified.
Expected outcome: Patient results are protected from sampling-related errors.
Confirm the Exact Error or Event
Review the analyzer message, event log, or operator screen.
Identify whether the issue involves:
- Sample aspiration error
- Clot detection error
- Insufficient sample volume
- Probe obstruction
- Liquid level detection issue
- Short sample
- Repeat error on the same tube
- Multiple samples failing across the same module
Expected outcome: The issue is separated into a sample-specific problem, probe/fluidics problem, or system-wide sampling issue.
Check Whether the Problem Follows One Sample
Ask the lab user whether the error occurred on one patient sample, one rack, or many samples.
If only one tube is affected, inspect that tube before suspecting the analyzer.
Expected outcome: A single problematic specimen is not mistaken for analyzer failure.
Inspect the Sample Tube Externally
Verify the tube is the correct type, properly seated, and not tilted in the carrier or rack.
Check for:
- Low sample volume
- Clot or fibrin strand
- Excess foam or bubbles
- Gel separator interference
- Cap or tube obstruction
- Incorrect tube size
- Sample not properly centrifuged
- Barcode or carrier issue causing incorrect tube handling
Expected outcome: The analyzer can access an acceptable sample without obstruction or misidentification.
If correcting the tube, sample volume, or rack seating resolves the issue, document the finding and stop.
Verify Minimum Sample Volume and Dead Volume
Confirm that the sample has enough usable volume for the ordered tests, including analyzer dead volume requirements.
A tube may visually appear adequate but still fail if the probe cannot safely aspirate the required amount.
Expected outcome: Short sample conditions are ruled out before analyzer service is requested.
Try a Properly Prepared Known-Good Sample or Control
With lab approval, test using an acceptable known-good sample, control, or approved troubleshooting material.
If the known-good sample runs correctly, the issue is likely related to the original specimen.
Expected outcome: Sample quality is separated from analyzer sampling performance.
Check Rack, Carrier, and Tube Positioning
Inspect the sample rack, carrier, or automation track position for misalignment, damage, debris, or incorrect loading.
Confirm the sample tube is fully seated and positioned correctly for probe access.
Expected outcome: Mechanical access problems from loading or rack issues are ruled out.
Inspect the Probe Area Externally
Visually inspect the sample probe area without disassembly.
Look for:
- Dried reagent or sample residue
- Visible contamination
- Bent or damaged probe tip
- Crystals or buildup around the probe path
- Obstruction near the probe travel area
- Evidence of splash, leak, or dried fluid
Expected outcome: Obvious external probe or sampling-area problems are identified.
If the probe appears bent, damaged, or contacting objects abnormally, remove the analyzer or affected module from service and escalate.
Check for Probe Wash or Carryover-Related Issues
Confirm the probe wash area is not visibly blocked and that waste or wash fluid is not overflowing.
Sampling errors may occur if the probe is not being cleaned correctly between aspirations.
Expected outcome: External wash station problems are considered before assuming internal probe failure.
Verify Reagent, Water, and Waste Status
Check system status for required fluids, reagent availability, wash solution, water supply, and waste levels.
Low system fluids, full waste, or fluidics-related alerts can contribute to aspiration or probe errors.
Expected outcome: System supply conditions are normal.
Review Recent Maintenance or Operator Actions
Ask whether the issue started after:
- Probe cleaning
- Rack change
- Reagent change
- Sample handler cleaning
- Module maintenance
- Power cycle
- Recent clot or spill event
- Recent analyzer shutdown or restart
Expected outcome: The timing of the failure helps identify a recent external cause.
Perform Approved Operator-Level Cleaning or Maintenance
If available to Clinical Engineering or lab staff under site policy, run the approved probe cleaning, sample probe wash, or maintenance routine from the user interface.
Do not manually force, bend, remove, or internally disassemble the probe assembly unless following approved service procedure.
Expected outcome: Minor residue or external contamination is cleared safely.
If the error clears after approved cleaning and repeat testing passes, return the analyzer to service per site policy and document the action.
Check Whether the Error Is Isolated to One Module or Analyzer Function
Determine whether errors occur only on chemistry sampling, only on certain assays, or across multiple sample paths.
If multiple unrelated samples fail repeatedly, suspect analyzer sampling, probe, fluidics, or liquid level detection issues.
Expected outcome: The failure scope is defined before escalation.
Power Cycle Only When Appropriate
If the analyzer is not processing active samples and lab leadership approves, perform a controlled restart using the site-approved shutdown and startup process.
Do not interrupt active testing or sample processing without lab approval.
Expected outcome: Temporary software or motion state issues are cleared without compromising active patient testing.
Repeat a Controlled Test After Corrections
After correcting sample, rack, fluid, or cleaning issues, repeat testing using an approved sample or control.
Confirm:
- Probe moves normally
- No repeated aspiration error occurs
- No clot detection error repeats
- Sample volume is accepted
- Results are acceptable per lab process
Expected outcome: The analyzer demonstrates reliable sample aspiration before being returned to normal use.
If the Problem Persists
If the error continues after sample quality, tube positioning, rack loading, fluids, waste, and approved cleaning have been checked, common external causes have been ruled out.
The issue may involve the sample probe, liquid level detection system, clot detection function, syringe/fluidics path, pressure monitoring, wash station, sample handler alignment, or internal control hardware.
The affected analyzer, module, or sample path should be:
- Removed from service or restricted from patient testing
- Labeled Out of Service according to site process
- Escalated for Siemens service support or bench evaluation
- Documented with the exact error code, affected samples, and troubleshooting already completed
Knowing when to stop is proper troubleshooting. Do not continue running patient samples through a system that repeatedly reports aspiration, clot detection, or sample volume errors.
Clinical Use Tip
Do not troubleshoot sampling errors while the analyzer is actively processing critical patient specimens unless the lab has confirmed it is safe to pause or redirect testing. Protect result integrity first, then troubleshoot the analyzer. If testing must continue, move testing to a backup analyzer or approved downtime workflow first so therapy continuity and result integrity are protected.
Work Order Documentation (CCR Method)
CCR = Complaint, Cause, Resolution
Complaint
What was reported by the clinical staff.
Example:
"Lab reported the Siemens Atellica Solution was generating repeated sample aspiration and clot detection errors during chemistry testing."
Cause
What was observed during troubleshooting.
Example:
"Clinical Engineering found one affected specimen had low usable volume with visible fibrin, while rack seating and analyzer fluids appeared normal."
Resolution
What action was taken.
Example:
"Sample was removed for lab review, a properly prepared control/sample ran without aspiration errors, and the analyzer was returned to service with no repeat fault observed."
Helpful Details to Include (If Known)
- Exact aspiration, clot, or volume error message
- Whether one sample or multiple samples were affected
- Sample tube type and fill level
- Visible clot, fibrin, foam, gel, or bubbles
- Rack or carrier position checked
- Probe area visually inspected
- Probe wash area checked
- Reagent, water, wash, and waste status verified
- Whether approved cleaning or maintenance was performed
- Whether a known-good sample or control passed
- Any unusual sounds, leaks, heat, odor, or repeated motion faults
- Final analyzer or module status
Final Thought
Probe aspiration and sample volume errors should be approached logically from the outside in. Start with patient safety, specimen quality, tube position, rack loading, and fluid status before suspecting internal analyzer failure. If the issue repeats after external causes are ruled out, remove the affected system from service and escalate with clear CCR documentation.
That is successful troubleshooting.