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What This Guide Helps With
Troubleshoots incorrect or unavailable oral, axillary, or pediatric selection caused by probe type, probe well, controls, configuration, or workflow.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting
1. Protect the Patient and Use an Alternate Verified Thermometer
Do not use the thermometer if the displayed measurement mode does not match the intended patient site or population. Provide another verified thermometer until the correct mode can be reliably selected.
Expected outcome: No clinical decision is based on a measurement obtained in an uncertain or incorrect mode.
2. Confirm the Exact Mode-Selection Complaint
Ask staff which mode was intended, which mode appeared, and whether the problem occurs continuously or only after changing probes, wells, batteries, or settings.
Reproduce the condition without measuring a patient and document the displayed mode indicators.
Expected outcome: The reported mismatch is confirmed and the affected mode is identified.
3. Verify the Installed Probe and Probe Well
Confirm that the attached probe and installed probe well are the correct compatible type for the intended measurement application. A mismatched probe or probe well may restrict or alter available selections.
Inspect both components for modification, damage, or incorrect substitution.
Expected outcome: Compatible probe and probe-well components are installed. If correcting a mismatch restores the intended mode, proceed to final verification.
4. Verify the Probe Is Fully Recognized
Remove and reinsert the probe while observing the display. Confirm the thermometer recognizes the probe and enters the expected measurement-ready state.
If a probe error appears, troubleshoot the probe-recognition issue before evaluating mode selection.
Expected outcome: The probe is consistently recognized and no probe error prevents mode selection.
5. Inspect the Mode Button and Keypad Area
Check the mode button and surrounding keypad for contamination, a damaged overlay, sticking, cracks, or evidence of liquid intrusion. Clean the external surface using an approved method and allow it to dry.
Do not use sharp tools or excessive force on the keypad.
Expected outcome: The button moves or responds normally and is not obstructed by surface contamination.
6. Test Mode Selection Methodically
With the thermometer in the appropriate ready state, operate the mode control normally and observe each available selection. Allow the display sufficient time to update after each press.
Confirm whether the device cycles through the expected options or repeatedly returns to one selection.
Expected outcome: The intended oral, axillary, or pediatric selection can be chosen and remains displayed. If so, troubleshooting can stop after functional verification.
7. Check for User Lockout or Approved Configuration Restrictions
Review the device’s approved clinical configuration and compare it with another verified SureTemp Plus 692 from the same department. Determine whether a facility-approved setting intentionally limits available modes.
Do not enter unauthorized service menus or change protected settings without approved documentation and authorization.
Expected outcome: The thermometer’s available modes match the approved configuration. If an authorized configuration correction is required, it is performed by qualified personnel and documented.
8. Verify Battery Condition and Restart the Device
Low or unstable battery power may contribute to abnormal control behavior. Inspect and replace the batteries with the correct approved type if their condition is uncertain, then restart the thermometer.
Preserve approved settings and follow facility procedures when replacing batteries.
Expected outcome: The thermometer starts normally and mode selection responds consistently after battery replacement or restart.
9. Compare With a Known-Good Probe and Probe Well
Install known-good compatible external components and retest the mode selections. This helps determine whether the issue follows an accessory combination.
Expected outcome: The mode selection works with known-good accessories, identifying the original probe or well as the cause, or remains abnormal, indicating a device-side problem.
10. Verify Measurement Behavior in Each Approved Mode
Using an approved simulator or verification method, confirm that each required mode can be selected, remains active, begins a measurement normally, and produces a stable verified result.
Do not use patient measurements as the primary technical test.
Expected outcome: Each clinically required mode operates correctly and produces an acceptable verified result. If so, the device may be returned to service.
11. Stop and Escalate Unresolved Mode Problems
If mode selection remains unavailable, incorrect, or intermittent after checking accessories, the control surface, power, and approved configuration, remove the thermometer from service.
Expected outcome: A device that cannot reliably maintain the intended measurement mode is not returned to clinical use.
If the Problem Persists
External accessory, control, battery, and approved configuration causes have been ruled out. The remaining fault may involve the keypad assembly, control circuitry, stored configuration, probe-type detection, display logic, or another internal service issue.
Remove the thermometer from service, label it Out of Service, and send it for repair or bench evaluation. Use the correct Welch Allyn service documentation and approved test equipment. Configuration and repairs should be completed only by qualified personnel.
Before return to service, verify every required mode, probe recognition, measurement initiation, displayed indicators, and temperature accuracy. Knowing when to stop external troubleshooting is proper troubleshooting.
Clinical Use Tip
Always confirm the displayed patient-site and population mode before taking a temperature, especially after changing probes, probe wells, batteries, or device configuration.
Work Order Documentation (CCR Method)
CCR = Complaint, Cause, Resolution
Complaint
What was reported by the clinical staff.
Example:
"Clinical staff reported that the SureTemp Plus 692 remained in adult oral mode and would not select the pediatric axillary mode."
Cause
What was observed during troubleshooting.
Example:
"Clinical Engineering found that the installed probe well did not match the compatible probe and intended measurement application."
Resolution
What action was taken.
Example:
"Clinical Engineering installed the correct compatible probe well and verified normal selection and operation of the required measurement modes."
Helpful Details to Include (If Known)
- Intended measurement mode
- Incorrect or unavailable mode displayed
- Probe type and probe-well type
- Mode button response
- Keypad condition
- Battery condition
- Configuration comparison result
- Known-good accessory test result
- Modes verified after correction
- Final device status
Final Thought
Protect the patient from measurements taken in the wrong mode, then verify probe compatibility, controls, battery condition, and approved configuration. Confirm each required mode before return to service and escalate any unreliable selection problem with clear CCR documentation.
That is successful troubleshooting.