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What This Guide Helps With
Troubleshoots slow or incomplete drainage caused by visible debris, load obstruction, drain infrastructure, or service-level drainage problems.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting
1. Protect Personnel and Confirm the Drain Problem
Do not reach into retained chamber water until temperature and chemical hazards are known and the unit is in a safe state.
Determine whether:
- Water drains slowly
- Water remains after cycle completion
- Drainage stops completely
- The chamber refills unexpectedly
- The cycle aborts during a drain phase
Expected outcome: The drainage problem is clearly characterized.
2. Verify the Cycle Has Actually Reached Drain
Confirm the washer is not intentionally retaining water as part of the selected cycle stage.
Expected outcome: The reported retained water is confirmed to be abnormal. If the condition is normal cycle behavior, troubleshooting can stop.
3. Inspect the Chamber for Debris
When safe and permitted, inspect accessible chamber and drain-screen areas for:
- Labels
- Packaging
- Instrument debris
- Broken components
- Excess residue
Remove only accessible debris according to approved cleaning procedures.
Expected outcome: Accessible drain paths are clear. If removing debris restores normal draining, verify a full cycle and stop.
4. Check Load Position
Verify trays, racks, containers, and accessories are not obstructing the chamber drain area.
Expected outcome: The load does not interfere with drainage.
5. Inspect Accessible Drain Connections
Look for visible:
- Kinked drain hoses
- Crushed tubing
- Leakage
- Improper routing
- Obvious external blockage
Do not disconnect hot or chemically contaminated drain lines unless authorized and protected.
Expected outcome: External drain connections appear unobstructed and intact.
6. Evaluate Facility Drain Performance
Determine whether nearby sinks, washers, or floor drains show similar slow drainage. Coordinate with Facilities when building drainage is suspected.
Expected outcome: Facility drainage is functioning normally. If Facilities corrects an infrastructure blockage and washer drainage returns to normal, verify the cycle and stop.
7. Compare Loaded and Unloaded Operation
If appropriate, perform an approved test cycle without the suspect load or rack.
Expected outcome: If drainage is normal without the load, the issue may be load or rack related. If drainage remains abnormal, the washer or facility drain requires further evaluation.
8. Perform Final Functional Verification
Run an approved verification cycle and confirm the chamber drains completely at the appropriate phases without backup or leakage.
Expected outcome: Normal drainage and cycle completion are demonstrated. Troubleshooting can stop.
9. Escalate Persistent Drainage Problems
If visible debris, load position, external connections, and facility drainage have been ruled out, remove the washer from service.
Expected outcome: An unresolved drainage problem is referred for qualified service.
If the Problem Persists
The remaining issue may involve an internal drain valve, pump, plumbing restriction, level sensing, control logic, or other service-level condition.
The washer should be:
- Removed from service
- Labeled Out of Service
- Sent for repair or bench/service evaluation
- Evaluated using appropriate STERIS documentation and approved test equipment
- Repaired or configured only by qualified personnel
Return-to-service testing must verify complete drainage throughout the cycle with no backup or leakage. Knowing when to stop external troubleshooting is proper troubleshooting.
Clinical Use Tip
Treat standing chamber water after an incomplete cycle as potentially hot and chemically contaminated until proven otherwise.
Work Order Documentation (CCR Method)
CCR = Complaint, Cause, Resolution
Complaint
What was reported by the clinical staff.
Example:
"Sterile Processing reported standing water remained in the Reliance 444 chamber after cycles completed."
Cause
What was observed during troubleshooting.
Example:
"Clinical Engineering found disposable label material obstructing the accessible chamber drain screen."
Resolution
What action was taken.
Example:
"The debris was removed using approved procedures, and a complete verification cycle confirmed normal drainage with no residual chamber water."
Helpful Details to Include (If Known)
- When water remains
- Amount or location of retained water
- Drain-related alarm or message
- Accessible debris found
- Drain hose condition
- Load and rack configuration
- Facility drain status
- Leakage or backup observed
- Verification cycle results
- Final device status
Final Thought
Drain problems should be approached safely because retained water may contain heat and chemistry. Check visible debris, loading, external drain routing, and facility infrastructure first, then escalate persistent problems rather than opening internal plumbing unnecessarily.
That is successful troubleshooting.