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What This Guide Helps With
Troubleshooting strip feed, strip placement, test table movement, or positioning errors that prevent proper CLINITEK Status+ urinalysis testing.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting
Ensure Patient Safety First
Confirm the analyzer is not actively being used for patient testing.
If testing is needed immediately, have staff use another available urine analyzer or approved backup testing process.
Expected outcome: Troubleshooting is performed without delaying patient care or risking inaccurate results.
Verify the Reported Issue
Ask staff what occurred during testing:
- Strip would not feed or position correctly
- Analyzer did not detect the strip
- Strip moved incorrectly on the test table
- Positioning error appeared after loading the strip
- Error occurs with every strip or only intermittently
Expected outcome: The problem is confirmed as a strip handling or positioning issue, not a general startup, display, or chemistry result issue.
Check for Incorrect Strip Placement
Verify the test strip was placed flat and correctly on the test table insert.
Confirm the strip was not angled, curled, upside down, reversed, or pushed outside the guide area.
Expected outcome: If incorrect placement caused the issue, reload a new strip correctly and repeat the test. If the analyzer accepts the strip, stop.
Confirm the Correct Strip Type Is Being Used
Verify staff are using Siemens-compatible strips approved for the CLINITEK Status+.
Also check that the analyzer setup matches the strip type being used.
Expected outcome: If the wrong strip type or setup selection was used, correct it, repeat with a valid strip, and stop if testing proceeds normally.
Inspect the Test Strip Condition
Check whether the strip is expired, warped, wet before use, contaminated, discolored, or left exposed to room humidity.
Siemens notes that the CLINITEK Status+ performs automatic checks on Siemens test strips, including strip identification and humidity exposure checks.
Expected outcome: If questionable strips are found, discard them per facility policy, test with a fresh properly stored strip, and stop if the error clears.
Inspect the Test Table and Insert
Remove the test table slowly and inspect the table insert for:
- Dried urine residue
- Crystals or debris
- Warping
- Cracks
- Improper seating
- Sticky movement
- Misalignment
Expected outcome: The test table and insert should be clean, seated correctly, and able to move without obstruction.
Clean the Test Table and Insert
Remove the test table and table insert. Clean the test table and insert using water and a cotton-tipped swab or facility-approved method, avoiding the white calibration bar. Siemens cleaning instructions identify removing the table, lifting out the insert, draining the drip tray if needed, and cleaning the test table and insert while avoiding the white calibration bar.
Dry the parts thoroughly before reinstalling.
Expected outcome: If residue or contamination was causing strip drag or misalignment, the device should resume normal strip positioning after cleaning.
Inspect the White Calibration Bar
Visually inspect the white calibration bar for obvious marks, scratches, urine residue, discoloration, or damage.
Do not scrub or clean the calibration bar unless directed by the manufacturer’s procedure. Siemens instructions specifically caution cleaning the table and insert except for the white calibration bar.
Expected outcome: If the calibration bar is visibly damaged or contaminated, remove the analyzer from service for evaluation.
Reinstall the Test Table Correctly
Reinsert the test table with the white calibration bar facing up. The operator guidance states to insert the test table while holding the end opposite the white calibration bar and to push it into the analyzer just over halfway, not fully into the analyzer.
Expected outcome: The table should seat properly and move normally. If the table was inserted too far or incorrectly, reinstalling it correctly may resolve the feed or positioning error.
Check for Obstruction in the Table Path
With the test table removed, inspect the accessible table opening for visible debris, broken strip material, dried sample, paper, labels, or foreign objects.
Do not force tools deep into the analyzer or disassemble internal components.
Expected outcome: If a visible obstruction is safely removed and the table moves normally afterward, repeat a test with a fresh strip and stop if successful.
Power Cycle the Analyzer
Turn the analyzer off, wait briefly, then restart it.
Observe whether the test table initializes normally and whether the positioning error returns.
Expected outcome: If the issue was a temporary movement or detection state, the analyzer may recover after restart.
Repeat With a Known-Good Strip and Clean Table
Use a fresh, properly stored strip and observe the full test sequence.
Watch for abnormal movement, hesitation, grinding, binding, repeated table movement, or failure to detect the strip.
Expected outcome: A successful test confirms the problem was likely caused by strip placement, strip condition, table contamination, or setup issue.
Check for Repeated Mechanical Symptoms
If the table does not move, moves unevenly, jams, clicks, binds, or repeatedly fails with clean parts and correct strips, suspect a test table drive, sensor, or internal positioning fault.
Expected outcome: The analyzer should be removed from service instead of repeatedly forcing tests.
If the Problem Persists
If the CLINITEK Status+ continues to show test strip feed or positioning errors after correct strip placement, fresh strips, cleaning, proper table installation, and basic restart checks, common external causes have been ruled out.
Remove the analyzer from service, label it Out of Service, and send it for repair or bench evaluation.
Do not continue patient testing on a unit that cannot reliably position or read strips. Knowing when to stop is proper troubleshooting.
Clinical Use Tip
Do not troubleshoot strip feed or positioning issues during active patient testing. Move testing to another analyzer or approved backup method first. A mispositioned strip can lead to failed testing, delayed results, or questionable accuracy.
Work Order Documentation (CCR Method)
CCR = Complaint, Cause, Resolution
Complaint
What was reported by the clinical staff.
Example:
"Clinical staff reported the CLINITEK Status+ would not properly feed or position urine test strips during patient testing."
Cause
What was observed during troubleshooting.
Example:
"Test table insert had dried urine residue and debris causing the strip to drag and misalign during the test sequence."
Resolution
What action was taken.
Example:
"Removed analyzer from patient use, cleaned and dried the test table and insert, reinstalled the table correctly, repeated testing with a fresh strip, and verified normal strip positioning."
Helpful Details to Include (If Known)
- Exact error message displayed
- Whether issue occurs with all strips or one strip lot
- Strip lot number and expiration date
- Strip storage condition
- Test table cleaned
- Table insert inspected
- White calibration bar condition
- Table movement behavior
- Any clicking, binding, or unusual noise
- Whether the analyzer was power cycled
- Final device status: returned to service or removed from service
Final Thought
Strip feed and positioning problems should be handled logically. Start with patient safety, then verify strip placement, strip condition, test table cleanliness, and correct table installation. If the analyzer still cannot position strips reliably, escalation is appropriate because accurate urinalysis depends on consistent strip timing and alignment. Clear CCR documentation supports both repair follow-up and patient safety.
That is successful troubleshooting.