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What This Guide Helps With
Troubleshoots cycles that fail to reach required heating stages because of utility availability, loading, water conditions, or service-level temperature problems.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting
1. Protect Processing and Confirm the Temperature Failure
Do not release instruments from a cycle that failed its required temperature phase. Follow facility procedures for reprocessing the affected load.
Confirm:
- Which cycle was selected
- Whether wash temperature, thermal rinse temperature, or both were affected
- Whether the cycle aborted or continued
- Any displayed alarm or message
Expected outcome: The temperature failure and affected cycle stage are clearly identified.
2. Verify Stable Power and Normal Cycle Operation
Confirm the washer remains powered and progresses normally through filling and circulation before the heating problem occurs.
Expected outcome: The unit has stable electrical power and reaches the expected heating phase. If a power interruption caused the failure and a repeat cycle completes normally after correction, troubleshooting can stop.
3. Verify Required Facility Utilities
Check accessible utility conditions relevant to heating. Look for:
- Closed utility isolation valves
- Recent steam or hot-water outage
- Facility maintenance
- Other nearby equipment reporting similar utility problems
- Visible leakage
Coordinate with Facilities for infrastructure verification when needed.
Expected outcome: Heating-related facility utilities are available. If an external utility outage is corrected and temperatures are subsequently achieved, verify the cycle and stop.
4. Confirm Normal Chamber Filling
Verify the washer is filling normally. Incorrect water level can affect heat-up performance.
Expected outcome: Chamber filling appears normal without obvious underfill, overfill, or continuous draining. If correcting a fill problem restores normal temperatures, troubleshooting can stop after verification.
5. Inspect the Load and Rack Configuration
Check for overloading, tightly nested items, improper rack use, or load placement that could interfere with circulation.
Expected outcome: The washer contains an appropriate, correctly positioned load. If correcting the load allows the cycle to reach temperature and complete normally, stop troubleshooting.
6. Review Cycle Selection
Confirm the expected temperature stage actually belongs to the selected authorized cycle. Do not change validated cycle programming or temperature configuration without proper authorization.
Expected outcome: The correct cycle has been selected. If an incorrect cycle selection caused the complaint, verify operation using the intended approved cycle and stop.
7. Compare the Displayed Temperature Trend
During an approved verification cycle, observe whether temperature:
- Rises normally but stops short
- Rises unusually slowly
- Remains unchanged
- Behaves erratically
Do not assume the internal temperature display is accurate if performance is questionable.
Expected outcome: The temperature behavior is characterized for escalation or confirmation.
8. Perform Approved Temperature Verification
When within Clinical Engineering responsibility, use appropriate approved test equipment and manufacturer procedures to verify heating performance.
Do not adjust calibration or temperature configuration unless authorized and qualified.
Expected outcome: Measured performance agrees with acceptable manufacturer or facility requirements. If verification passes consistently, the washer may be returned to service.
9. Escalate if Required Temperature Cannot Be Verified
If utilities, water level, loading, and cycle selection are correct but required temperatures are not reached, remove the washer from service.
Expected outcome: A washer with unverified thermal performance is not used for clinical processing.
If the Problem Persists
The remaining problem may involve internal heating control, temperature sensing, valves, steam or water regulation, calibration, control logic, or related service-level components.
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, calibrated, or configured only by qualified personnel
Return-to-service verification must confirm required cycle temperatures and normal cycle completion according to applicable manufacturer and facility requirements. Knowing when to stop external troubleshooting is proper troubleshooting.
Clinical Use Tip
Any load from a cycle that failed its required thermal stage should be considered incompletely processed until facility reprocessing requirements are met.
Work Order Documentation (CCR Method)
CCR = Complaint, Cause, Resolution
Complaint
What was reported by the clinical staff.
Example:
"Sterile Processing reported the Reliance 444 repeatedly failed to reach the expected thermal rinse temperature."
Cause
What was observed during troubleshooting.
Example:
"Clinical Engineering confirmed a facility steam interruption was preventing normal heating during the cycle."
Resolution
What action was taken.
Example:
"Facilities restored the utility supply, and Clinical Engineering verified that the washer completed a full cycle with normal temperature progression."
Helpful Details to Include (If Known)
- Cycle selected
- Heating stage affected
- Displayed temperature behavior
- Any alarm or message
- Facility utility status
- Water level behavior
- Load and rack condition
- Test equipment used
- Verification results
- Final device status
Final Thought
Temperature failures require careful verification because successful cycle completion depends on more than simply seeing the washer run. Rule out utilities, water conditions, loading, and cycle selection before escalating internal heating or sensing concerns.
That is successful troubleshooting.