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What This Guide Helps With
Helps isolate power, probe, accessory, connection, environmental, startup, and authorized calibration-related causes when required checks do not complete successfully.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting
1. Protect Patient Care and Remove an Unverified Unit From Use
Do not use the Prime Plus for patient assessment when a required startup, self-test, or calibration-related check has failed and measurement reliability cannot be confirmed.
Provide another verified bladder scanner.
Record the exact displayed message or observed behavior.
Expected outcome: The affected unit is removed from clinical dependency and the exact reported failure is documented.
2. Restart the Scanner Under Normal Conditions
Power the device down using the normal procedure. Allow the shutdown to complete, then restart it without repeatedly cycling power.
Observe the complete startup sequence.
Expected outcome: The scanner completes startup normally. If the failure was transient and a representative functional test is also successful, troubleshooting can stop after verification.
3. Verify Power Condition
Confirm the scanner has adequate power for testing. If battery status is questionable, connect the approved external power or charging arrangement.
Inspect the power supply and accessible connections for damage or looseness.
Expected outcome: Stable power is available and the startup check is not being interrupted by low or intermittent power. If stable power resolves the failure, verify normal operation before return to service.
4. Inspect the Probe and Accessories
Inspect the probe, cable, accessible connectors, dock, and other required external accessories for:
- Physical damage
- Loose connection
- Contamination
- Moisture
- Improper seating
- Cable strain
Do not use a damaged probe or connector.
Expected outcome: Required external components are intact and correctly connected. If reseating an accessory allows the self-test or startup check to pass, proceed to final verification.
5. Remove Unnecessary External Connections
Disconnect nonessential external accessories or communication connections when permitted, then restart the scanner in its basic approved configuration.
This can help identify whether an external accessory is interfering with startup.
Expected outcome: The scanner completes startup in its basic configuration. If an optional external accessory causes the failure, remove or replace that accessory and verify the scanner again.
6. Check the Environment
Confirm the device is not being tested immediately after:
- Significant temperature change
- Exposure to excessive moisture
- Fluid contamination
- Storage in an unsuitable environment
- Physical impact
Allow the device to reach an appropriate normal-use environment when needed before retesting.
Expected outcome: Environmental conditions are suitable for normal operation. If the startup check then completes successfully, proceed to final verification.
7. Use Only Authorized Calibration or Verification Functions
If the reported condition specifically involves calibration, follow the applicable Verathon service documentation and use only authorized test equipment and procedures available to qualified Clinical Engineering personnel.
Do not guess at calibration values, enter undocumented service menus, or modify calibration constants simply to clear a failure.
Expected outcome: The authorized calibration or verification process either completes successfully or confirms that service-level evaluation is required.
8. Check for Repeatability
Restart and test the device again under the same verified conditions.
A single successful startup is not sufficient if the original failure was intermittent.
Expected outcome: Startup and required checks pass consistently. If failures recur, remove the unit from service and escalate.
9. Perform Final Functional Verification
Before return to service, confirm:
- Startup completes normally
- Required self-checks complete
- Probe is recognized
- No unresolved warning remains
- A representative bladder scan completes normally
- Device operation is stable through restart
Use any additional return-to-service testing required by manufacturer documentation and facility policy.
Expected outcome: The scanner demonstrates consistent normal operation and required verification has passed. The device may be returned to service.
If the Problem Persists
External power, probe, accessories, connections, environment, and permitted startup or calibration checks have been ruled out. The remaining issue may involve internal electronics, software, stored calibration data, probe performance, or another service-level condition.
The device should be:
- Removed from service
- Labeled Out of Service
- Sent for repair or bench evaluation
- Evaluated using appropriate Verathon documentation and approved test equipment
- Repaired, calibrated, or configured only by qualified personnel
Do not return the scanner to clinical use until required startup, self-test, calibration, and functional verification requirements are satisfied.
Recognizing that a failed verification condition requires escalation rather than trial-and-error adjustment is proper troubleshooting.
Clinical Use Tip
A bladder scanner that cannot complete required verification should not be trusted for patient measurement until its performance has been confirmed.
Work Order Documentation (CCR Method)
CCR = Complaint, Cause, Resolution
Complaint
What was reported by the clinical staff.
Example:
"Nursing reported the Prime Plus stopped during startup and would not complete its normal startup check."
Cause
What was observed during troubleshooting.
Example:
"Clinical Engineering found the probe connection was partially seated, preventing stable probe recognition during startup."
Resolution
What action was taken.
Example:
"Clinical Engineering reseated and inspected the probe connection, verified repeated successful startups and representative scans, and returned the unit to service."
Helpful Details to Include (If Known)
- Exact startup or calibration message
- Point in startup where failure occurred
- Battery or AC operation
- Power connection condition
- Probe and cable condition
- Connector condition
- Accessories connected during failure
- Environmental conditions
- Results after restart
- Authorized calibration or verification result
- Representative scan result
- Final device status
Final Thought
A failed startup, self-test, or calibration check should be treated as a verification problem until proven otherwise. Protect the patient, eliminate external causes methodically, use only authorized calibration procedures, escalate unresolved failures, and document the final verified condition clearly.
That is successful troubleshooting.