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Manufacturer
Model
What This Guide Helps With
Addresses improper chamber filling, draining, or water level caused by utility supply, drainage, obstruction, loading, or service-level flow-control problems.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting
1. Protect Staff and Processing Workflow
Do not continue cycling the washer if water level is abnormal, drainage is incomplete, or water is backing up. Prevent exposure to hot water and contaminated process water.
Redirect loads to another approved washer.
Expected outcome: The affected washer is not relied upon while water handling is uncertain.
2. Confirm Whether the Problem Is Fill, Level, or Drain Related
Determine whether the chamber receives no water, fills slowly, appears to overfill, fails to reach the required cycle condition, or retains water after a phase or completed cycle.
Record the exact phase and any displayed message.
Expected outcome: The problem is narrowed to incoming water, level control, or drainage.
3. Verify Facility Water Availability
Confirm the required facility water supplies are available and that accessible supply valves serving the washer are in their normal positions.
Check whether nearby processing equipment is experiencing the same supply issue.
Expected outcome: Facility water is available at the washer. If restoring an external supply corrects the issue, complete a test cycle and stop troubleshooting if successful.
4. Inspect Accessible Supply Connections
Check visible hoses, pipes, strainers or external connection points that can be inspected without disassembly for kinks, leakage, damage, or evidence of restricted flow.
Do not alter plumbing controls outside Clinical Engineering responsibility.
Expected outcome: No accessible supply restriction or leak is found.
5. Check the Chamber and Drain Area for Accessible Obstruction
When the washer is safe and cool, inspect accessible chamber surfaces, drain screens, and removable strainers for debris or foreign material that may restrict drainage.
Use appropriate PPE and facility decontamination procedures.
Expected outcome: Accessible drainage paths are free of obvious obstruction. If cleaning an approved removable screen restores proper drainage, verify with a full test cycle.
6. Verify Rack and Load Position
Confirm carts, racks, and large items are positioned correctly and are not blocking drains, interfering with water distribution, or obstructing accessible level-related areas.
Expected outcome: Loading does not interfere with normal water movement.
7. Check Facility Drainage
Inspect for slow floor drainage, backed-up plumbing, or evidence that the facility drain cannot accept washer discharge.
If an infrastructure drain problem is suspected, involve Facilities rather than disassembling the washer.
Expected outcome: Facility drainage accepts discharge normally.
8. Run an Approved Test Cycle
Observe a test cycle from outside the closed washer. Confirm the unit fills, advances normally, drains between appropriate phases, and finishes without standing water or abnormal leakage.
Do not open the chamber during an active hazardous phase.
Expected outcome: Water handling returns to normal. If the test cycle completes correctly, troubleshooting can stop.
9. Escalate Persistent Water-Level Problems
If supplies and drains are available, accessible screens are clear, and loading is correct but filling or draining remains abnormal, remove the washer from service.
Expected outcome: Internal flow-control or sensing issues are referred for qualified service evaluation.
If the Problem Persists
Common external causes have been ruled out. Remaining categories may include internal fill valves, pumps, level sensing, internal drain restrictions, controls, piping, or related service-level components.
The washer should be:
- Removed from service.
- Labeled Out of Service.
- Sent for repair or on-site service evaluation.
- Evaluated using applicable STERIS documentation and approved test equipment.
- Repaired or configured only by qualified personnel.
After repair, verify normal filling, drainage, water handling, leak-free operation, and successful cycle completion before return to service.
Knowing when to stop external troubleshooting is proper troubleshooting.
Clinical Use Tip
Standing process water or abnormal filling can invalidate cleaning and can also create a slip, splash, or thermal hazard for staff.
Work Order Documentation (CCR Method)
CCR = Complaint, Cause, Resolution
Complaint
What was reported by the clinical staff.
Example:
"Sterile Processing reported the Reliance Vision cart washer retained water in the chamber and would not complete the cycle normally."
Cause
What was observed during troubleshooting.
Example:
"Clinical Engineering found debris obstructing an accessible chamber drain screen."
Resolution
What action was taken.
Example:
"Clinical Engineering removed the debris using approved handling precautions, reinstalled the screen, and verified normal fill, drain, and cycle completion."
Helpful Details to Include (If Known)
- Fill, level, or drain symptom
- Cycle phase affected
- Facility water availability
- Supply valve condition
- Visible hose or piping condition
- Drain screen condition
- Debris found
- Facility drain condition
- Load and rack position
- Leakage observed
- Test-cycle result
- Final device status
Final Thought
Water-handling complaints should be approached from facility supply and drainage inward, with accessible obstructions and loading ruled out before service-level causes are considered. Verify normal operation before returning the washer to use.
That is successful troubleshooting.