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What This Guide Helps With
Addresses unstable positioning caused by loose mounting, damaged hardware, cable strain, cart wear, obstruction, or mechanical connection failure.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting
1. Protect the Patient and Prevent Equipment Movement
Do not use a GlideScope with a loose display, unstable cart, damaged hinge, or insecure mount during airway management. Move the patient to another verified system and stabilize the affected equipment.
Disconnect power before moving a cart when cable damage or electrical strain is possible.
Expected outcome: The patient is protected from falling equipment, sudden display movement, and interrupted visualization.
2. Confirm the Exact Mechanical Complaint
Determine whether the display droops, will not rotate, moves too freely, binds, separates from the mount, vibrates during cart movement, or loses video when repositioned.
Reproduce the condition without a patient and with the cart stationary.
Expected outcome: The affected hinge, mount, cart joint, or cable-routing point is identified.
3. Inspect for Immediate Structural Hazards
Examine the display support, hinge, fasteners, cart pole, base, handle, shelves, casters, and mounting interface for cracks, bending, missing hardware, looseness, corrosion, or impact damage.
Do not use the system if the display could fall or the cart could tip.
Expected outcome: No unsafe structural condition is present. Any cracked, separated, or unstable assembly is removed from service immediately.
4. Verify Cart Stability and Caster Operation
Place the cart on a level surface. Check that casters roll, swivel, and lock as intended and that the base sits evenly.
Remove excess or unapproved accessories that may affect balance.
Expected outcome: The cart remains stable when stationary and moves predictably when unlocked.
5. Check Mount Engagement
Confirm the display or monitor is fully engaged with its approved mounting interface and any retention latch or locking feature is in the correct position.
Do not add improvised hardware, tape, or unapproved fasteners.
Expected outcome: The display is securely retained with no unintended separation or excessive play.
6. Inspect Accessible External Fasteners
Check only user- or service-accessible external fasteners identified for routine inspection. Tighten them only when authorized and using the correct procedure and tools.
Do not disassemble the hinge or internal mount mechanism without approved instructions.
Expected outcome: Authorized external fasteners are secure. If this restores stable positioning, continue to final verification.
7. Check Hinge Movement and Holding Ability
Move the display slowly through its normal adjustment range. Observe for binding, grinding, sudden release, inability to hold position, or excessive looseness.
Keep hands clear of pinch points.
Expected outcome: The display moves smoothly and remains in the selected position without drifting.
8. Inspect Cable Routing Through the Mount and Cart
Confirm power, video, and accessory cables have adequate slack and are not wrapped around the hinge, pinched between mount surfaces, dragging beneath casters, or pulling the display out of position.
Re-route cables through approved clips or guides.
Expected outcome: Cables move freely without strain, pinching, or interference. If proper routing resolves the issue, complete final verification.
9. Check Whether Movement Affects Video or Power
With the system operating on the bench, reposition the display and cart through normal movement. Observe for image interruption, connector movement, or power loss.
Stop immediately if a cable or connector appears damaged.
Expected outcome: Mechanical adjustment does not interrupt video or power. Any associated electrical intermittency is isolated and corrected before return to service.
10. Perform Final Mechanical and Functional Verification
Confirm the display holds position, the mount remains secure, the cart rolls and locks normally, cables remain protected, and the system maintains stable power and video during normal repositioning.
Complete required safety inspection after any mechanical repair.
Expected outcome: The complete assembly is stable, secure, and functional. It may return to service only after all required checks pass.
If the Problem Persists
External mounting engagement, visible hardware, cart stability, authorized fasteners, hinge movement, and cable routing have been evaluated. The remaining cause may involve an internal hinge tension mechanism, damaged mounting structure, worn cart hardware, concealed fasteners, or a replacement assembly.
Remove the equipment from service, label it Out of Service, and send it for qualified mechanical repair or bench evaluation using applicable Verathon documentation and approved parts and tools. Do not improvise repairs or return equipment with a display that can fall, drift, bind, or interrupt video.
Return-to-service testing must confirm structural security, full normal movement, cart stability, cable protection, and uninterrupted operation. Knowing when to stop prevents injury and equipment damage.
Clinical Use Tip
Position and lock the cart before airway use so the operator can see the display without pulling on the monitor, mount, or video cable.
Work Order Documentation (CCR Method)
CCR = Complaint, Cause, Resolution
Complaint
What was reported by the clinical staff.
Example:
"Clinical staff reported that the GlideScope display slowly dropped downward after being positioned."
Cause
What was observed during troubleshooting.
Example:
"Clinical Engineering found that an authorized external mount fastener had loosened, allowing excess movement."
Resolution
What action was taken.
Example:
"Clinical Engineering secured the fastener using the approved procedure and verified that the display held position while video and power remained stable."
Helpful Details to Include (If Known)
- Drooping, binding, looseness, or separation
- Evidence of recent impact
- Missing or loose hardware
- Mount engagement
- Hinge movement
- Cart and caster condition
- Cable routing and strain
- Effect of movement on video or power
- Mechanical verification after correction
- Final device status
Final Thought
Prevent falling or shifting equipment, inspect external mechanical causes before deeper repair, verify that movement does not affect power or video, escalate damaged structural assemblies, and document the final safety check clearly.
That is successful troubleshooting.