1
Various Anesthesia Machine and
Related Troubleshooting Notes
Reason
Called
CO2 trace on the
monitor does not
look correct,
possibly sucking air
from outside of the
circuit.
Offending
Machine
Resolution
Notes
Sample line
connection at the
water trap loose.
Tightened 2 turns problem solved.
I always check the
connections first.
Many times these are
loose or cross
threaded. However, I
Agilent gas analyzer.
have seen several the
Change Aquaknot on
water traps with
Sam Module,
cracked threads,
Change ETCO2 Line
causing a similar
and Check Sodasorb
leak.
for saturation
All connections were
tight, there was mist
in the tube, chest
rise, 100% sPO2, but
CO2 Trace - nonno CO2 return....
existent: The CO2
Replace the sample When carefully
trace was visible on
Agilent gas analyzer line
examined, the
the monitor, but was
or Phillips MP90
Sample line had been
"Flat line" even
monitor
Replace Aquaknot
pinched and almost
though the patient
and change sodasorb fused together during
was properly
shipping. There was
intubated.
a long flat section of
the sample tube that
could not pass air of
any sort.
CO2 Trace is flatline.
Always check the
Receding the gas
connections and have
Agilent gas analyzer bench on the
a good rapport to the
Anesthesia Machine. Anesthesiologists on
duty.
CO2 sample line is
occluded
Gas bench sample
line on GE
Carestation
some techs, an Dr's
replaced sample line, feed the sample line
it was kinked
through the swivel
arm that carries the
2
the monitor cables
on the anesthesia
machine to a central
organizer, there isn't
a lot of room in the
channel and the
sample line gets
smashed flat. We
have been asked not
to do this.
Phillips Monitor not
displaying
information other
than the time or is
off completely.
Fabius Anesthesia
machine not
working!! A very
panicked call from
the room
Phillips
Drager Fabius
Many times the
outlet has not been
working and the
anesthesia machines
If a blank screen is
internal back-up
present, change the
power only powers
power cord outlet. If
the machine and not
only the Date/Time
the monitors. The
stamp is on the
docs raise and lower
screen, re-seat the
the monitors arm on
cable leading from
the side of the
the data module into
machine
the housing.
continuously
throughout the day
Reboot monitor and
and eventually, the
check all power
connective cable
connections
connection works its
way loose but
appears to be
connected.
All of the control
lines for the
pneumatic valves in
the manifold had
been disconnected.
At this facility, the
anesthesia technical
service providers do
not turn-over rooms.
A new pst
(perioperative
services tech) had
disconnected the
lines and did not tell
anybody, and the
anesthesia provider
did not do a vent
check before the case
started.
3
Reason
Called
Bis Monitor is not
reading that the
sensor is attached
CO2 not reading
Machine wont pass
morning check
Offending
Machine
BIS Monitor
Resolution
Notes
The cables become
damaged where they
enter the patient
interface box from
constant bending
back and forth. Since
these cables are
accessories, they
have to be
Replace the entire
purchased. A
cable. Order
refurbished cable
replacement cables
cost $1800 with a
to attach to the box
trade-in. The
because the cables
replacement cables
are damaged.
without the box cost:
between $120.00Check power
$200.00, depending
connections and BIS
on which portion of
cable and strips
the cable you need.
They are easy to
change out. Just open
the box and unclip
the plug from the
board; clip the new
cable in and close the
box by screwing the
screws back in.
Drager
Gas bench broken
Changed the CO2
tubing and the
defend cartridge. Did
not help. Replaced
Gas bench with
another one and CO2
worked fine. Sent
bad gas bench to
Bio-med for repair
Daytex Anesthesia
Machine
Gas bench, sodasorb
and condensation
collector look dry on
the outside.
Take off the bench,
collector and
sodasorb drain every
piece and let air dry
then reassemble. If
you have an extra set
4
of these parts (like
we do :) then you
can put them on and
get rolling right
away.
Scavenger bag is
Daytex Anesthesia
filling up and alarms
Machine
sounding
Blood pressure cuff
not cycling
Monitor went black
First I would check
the hose it may not
be connected all the
While patient is
way. Then I would
intubated doc calls
look down by the
you to the room
scavenger bag and
because his
twist the little black
scavenger back looks
knob ever so slightly
like a model good
in the direction that
year blimp!!!!
allows the bag to
What’s happening?
drain the waste gas
and the bag flattens
out again.
After checking blood
pressure hose which
inflates the cuff and
assuring there was
no split or crack.
Went to side of
machine and
discovered that the
opposite end of the
B.P. hose was not
connected to the
monitor. therefore it
could not inflate the
cuff. Removed hose
completely and
reattached to
monitor. Dr. was
satisfied and there
were no more
problems. Easy fix!
G.E. Aisys monitor
Called to room
tonight because
blood pressure cuff
wouldn't cycle.
G.E. Aisys monitor
checked the
Called to room
connections and all
because monitor quit
were fine. Called
working.
Bio-med and they
replaced with a
Check all power
temporary monitor. 2
connections
weeks later the
5
monitor was back
repaired.
Called to room
because pt fico2 was GE care station
over 9 and rising, pt Aisys monitor
co2 high
Called to room
because
anesthesiologist had
a large leak during
case. Air was
escaping for
anesthesia machine.
Reason
Called
CO2 not reading
when machine
checked.
Checked CO2
sample line, then
noticed co2
scavenging reservoir
bag was full,
checked the
scavenge pipeline-it
was disconnected.
connected the pipe
line and readings
went back to normal
I had turned that
room over prior to
case and had done a
leak test so I knew
the circuit was good,
I ask the Dr if she
had changed the soda
lime, she stated she
had, I replaced the
GE care station
disabled canister,
anesthesia machine
and the leak went
New Daytex
away. I to have had
Anesthesia Machine
this problem and I've
been working with
the store room in
making sure that
when the shipment
of canisters come in.
That the case or box
that it comes in is not
damaged.
Offending
Machine
GE Aestiva/5
when the anesthesia
machines get moved
to different locations
it is imperative to
check and make sure
the machine is
plugged in and all
components are
working before
starting a new case
the soda lime
canister appeared to
have been dropped
as it had a large
crack in it. I'm not a
fan of keeping extra
disposable canisters
in the rooms because
if they get dropped
or knocked over they
crack and no one
notices till its too
late.
I make it a point to
check the canister for
cracks when I am
putting a new one in.
Also, sometimes the
drain valve is open
below the canisters
which can create a
very large leak.
Resolution
Notes
Checked CO2
sampling line,
checked defend trap.
Defend trap had
popped out ever so
When pushed back
in, it began working
after a few minutes.
Sometimes you have
to turn the machine
6
slightly preventing
the machine from
checking the gas
sampling line.
Problems with the
APL valve sticking
during a general
GE Aestiva/5
anesthesia case using
an LMA.
No CO2 end-tidal
reading on the
anesthesia machine
at all
Daytex Anesthesia
Machine
off and then back on
again, in order for
the machine to
recheck the gas
sampling line.
Dismantle the
working portions of
the anesthesia
machine according to
the maintenance
instructions for
cleaning. Clean and
sterilize/disinfect as
recommended. In
between terminal
cleaning times,
change out parts that
are excessively wet
that you can if the
problem reoccurs.
Remove the
manifold if necessary
and dry thoroughly.
Retest for leaks
when you reassemble
the machine.
I do not know when
these machines had
last been taken down
and thoroughly
cleaned. My thought
was that it needed to
be cleaned. The
CRNA's thought it
was something
wrong with the valve
itself. The GE
service rep. thought
it was just moisture.
As it turned out it
was excessive
moisture and mold
growth in the
machine. Once it was
cleaned and the
excess moisture
removed, the
Check valve filter for machine functioned
excessive
without problems.
condensation
If the problem is not
fixed, with the
patient in the room, I
I will check the CO2 would bring a new
sampling line to
anesthesia machine
make sure there are and will prepare to
no kinks as well as
connect the circuit to
the defend trap. Also the patient -- push
discuss with the
back the
anesthesiologist
dysfunctional
about any solution to machine and bring
the problem.
the new one closer to
the patient and
hoping that there is a
CO2 end-tidal
7
reading.
If your anesthesia
machines have
modules for the
ETCO2, BP, etc.; it
is easier to change
the module out first,
than the whole
machine. I have had
this occur before and
when the module
was switched the
problem was
corrected. The faulty
module was sent to
Bio-Med who sent it
off to be repaired.
The circuit check
failed.
Call to the room
because the bellows
were not filling up
call to room for dfend alert
Datex Anesthesia
Machine
I will check the
circuits to the
machine are
connected properly. I
will check also the
sampling line is
connected to the
circuit and to the
machine because
sometimes it is
loosely attached. If
the circuit check fails
again, I will put
brand new circuits
on the anesthesia
machine.
I thought I tried
everything, except
one thing that I
haven't thought of is the sodasorb there are no
indications of color
change but there is a
small crack under the
canister. So changing
the sodasorb then
rechecking the
circuit will result to a
passed circuit for the
next new patient
case.
Datex-Ohmeda
I checked the plastic
tube that sits over the
bellows and made
sure it was seated in
place.
I'm surprise how it
would get bumped
enough that would
cause a leak.
Datex-Ohmeda
checked the d-fend
trap and it did have
water in it and it was
pop out enough for
the alert
it was time to replace
the d-fend trap so i
put in a new one and
pop it in place and
everything worked
find
8
put the part back on
the right way and ran
another test and
everything worked
circuit leak
Problem with
bellows
Bad CO2
Reason
Called
Datex-Ohmeda
circuit leak test
keeps failing found
that the machine had
been taken apart for It is very important
cleaning and not put to perform a leak test
back on right
after cleaning the
machine. Prevents
headaches later.
Excel exel210
stated doing a
pressure test found
the night before they
change the sodalime
they didn`t do a
pressure check and it
was not adjust
properly . realigned
to pressure test back
in service.
talk to my co-worker
never change nothing
if you are in rush to
go home (the patient
was in room and
almost was put sleep
)
RGM
got in the room
check sample line it
look go then I check
the filter it was
change two days ago
it was good too .
Them I check when
was the last time that
it was calibrated and
is was about two
weeks when it was
calibrated . Took
some calibrating gas
re-calibrated .
talk to all the
anesthesia tech
everytime they
change the filter on a
RGM to calibrated
with calibrated gas
.And to too regular
calibration twice a
day.
Resolution
Notes
I called our Service
rep who thought it
might be the vacuum
that I was hearing.
Disconnected the
vacuum/scavenger
hoses, leak
This machine had
been tampered with
and when I turned
the machine on to
perform a machine
check after replacing
the circuit, sampling
Offending
Machine
Audible Leak issuing
from under table top
Excel 210
of Excel Anesthesia
machine
9
continued. The
machine was taken
out of service until
the rep came to
repair it. The leak
was coming from the
machine on/off
switch. The switch
was replaced and the
leak was corrected.
line and such, I heard
an audible leak. It
did not affect the
machine check or
leak test.
When the rep
removed the table
top, we noticed that
one screw that holds
the switch stable was
completely out and
off to the side. The
other was halfway
out. He stated that in
17 years of working
on these machines he
had never seen the
screws work loose
on a machine.
Checked all
connections and
discovered loosened
bellows cap.
Tightened bellows
cap and achieved a
proper seal
Bellows cover had
come untwisted and
didn't have a seal. I
always check the
bellows cap between
each case now.
O2 flush valve stuck
GE Carestation
in or in the on
anesthesia Machine
position
Could not duplicate--Called Bio Med--Bio med cleaned
debris from inside
machine around
valve.
Anesthesiologist
stated this was
dangerous and could
have given pt a
pneumothorax.
Called to room
because the "Do
anesthesia check
out" display was on.
Anesthesia was very
upset as the case was
underway. There was
Switched the
nothing I could do
machine during the
aside from switching
case. When the case
out the machine. As
was done a complete
the machine seemed
calibration check out
to be fine we left the
was done, and the
machine. We
machine passed.
checked the log on
the , and it had been
more than 24 hours
Bellows won't drive
ventilator
G.E. Aisys
Carestation
GE Carestation
10
since the last test.The
Dr. had me write an
incident report, as if
something had
happened during the
case and the precheck hadn't been
done he and the
anesthesia tech
working am would
have been in trouble
as neither noticed the
machine had not
been calibrated
before starting the
case.
Reason
Called
Offending
Machine
pediatric patient
blood pressure and
heart rates are giving
Phillips Monitor
alarms on normal
values for pediatric
pts.
Flow sensor failure
mid case
Resolution
Notes
If you change the
user from adult to
pediatric or neonatal,
the label changes to
pediatric or neonatal
but the alarm
parameters are the
same unless you
change the patient
change the patient
Profile to pediatric or
Profile to pediatric or
neonatal
neonatal. The screen
goes black for a half
a second then shows
the patient’s profile
and alarm parameters
are for the
appropriate age
group.
We had to devise a
way to ventilate the
patient while
Drager Apollo
removing the flow
Anesthesia Machine sensors which
requires taking the
patient off the
ventilator. We
The only other
alternative would
have been to bag the
patient and switch
machines mid-case.
We were not
comfortable with that
plan of action unless
11
hooked an Ambu bag we had to in order to
to the side O2 port
minimize infection
and let the
chances.
anesthetist bag the
patient. Then, two of
us had practiced on a
different machine in
a downed room. We
then used the RedHandled Allen
Wrench to unlock
the chamber and
remove the top
housing. We
unscrewed the valve
covers and replaced
both the inspiratory
and expiratory
sensors at the same
time. Reseated the
top housing and
attached the housing
to the circuit and
finished in all of
Fifty-Three seconds.
The patient was
reattached to the
machine and within
2 minutes the alarms
stopped and gave
accurate readings.
Circuit leak Midcase
The Sodasorb
canister had a small
crack on the back
side of the housing
which couldn’t be
seen from the front
but when I knelt
down I could hear a
faint whisper of air
during breaths.
Replaced canister
and of course, the
leak disappeared.
Changed the circuit
twice. Changed the
water trap to ensure
no leak. We could
not hear any leak at
the patient’s airway
and the cuff held
pressure. The crack
was only a
millimeter or two in
length but was
enough of a crack to
create a considerable
leak.
12
Circuit leak during
leak test
Reason
Called
Called to room
because the left
screen went blank
and machine failure
appeared on the
screen
Offending
Machine
Datex-Ohmeda
The CO2 tubing can
sometimes cross
thread if forced onto
the water trap.
Switched out tubing.
sometimes, you may
reverse the
connections to the
water trap and circuit
and obtain the same
result.
Resolution
Notes
I had the CRNA bag
the patient and I
rebooted the machine
and the screen came
back normal
Finish the case and
then I called the
service rep to check
out the machine
further.
Called to the room
because of vaporizer Datex-Ohmeda
failure
I had the CRNA bag
I called the service
the patient as I
rep to fix the
switch out the
machine
machine
I was in the room
when the CRNA had
Datex-Ohmeda
Air supply pressure
lost
The machine air hose
was connected into a
Y connector so OR
could their
equipment up to air
and it was drawing
too much air
pressure from the
Anesthesia machine.
So I switch to Air
reserve gas cylinder.
Called to the room
because there wasn't
Datex-Ohmeda
a CO2 tidal volume
reading
I would check the
tracheal tube for any
leaks then I would
change the sampling
line then if I'm still
not getting a reading
then I would change
the module.
Called to the room
because the patient
monitoring display
went blank.
There is an
assumable, hard to
recognize button on
the side of the
monitor. I rebooted
Datex-Ohmeda
If you reach to move
the monitor from the
side. You will turn
the monitor off.
13
the monitor and
continued the case.
Air Alarm was going
off when I was
Belmont Rapid
priming the Rapid
Infuser
Infuser
Power Fail Alarm
Cell Saver
Centrifuge error
Reason
Called
The Rapid Infuser
was not priming
properly.
The Cell Saver was
tripping before it
reached the volume
needed to wash a
There was something
on the sensor so I
cleaned it with a
damp cloth.
Acutronic Jet
Ventilator
We do not use the Jet
Vent very often so
when I was called for
this alarm I had to
get Biomed right
away. We had to
bring them a new Jet
Vent because the
other one needed a
new battery and it
could not be changed
in the room
Cell Saver 5+
The bowl was not
properly seated and
therefore was not
allowing the
centrifuge to spin.
Took bowl out and
reseated, error
message gone.
Offending
Machine
Resolution
Notes
Belmont
The Reservoir tubing
that attaches to the
machine was too
tight and was
causing the roller to
not work correctly. I
moved the reservoir
down and restarted
the prime, it worked
fine.
I always double
check the reservoir
level prior to priming
the pump.
Cell Saver 5+
The Machine had not
been QC correctly.
Therefore, the tubes
had to be clamped
This should only
been done in non
emergency cases. If
you cannot do it then
14
bowl.
off and the machine you can run the
had to be turned off. machine in manual
I ran a QC a second mode
time and it worked as
it should.
When the Air Tank
was put on it had
been tightened too
I was called into the
much and there was
room because the air
GE Datex - Ohmeda causing and error. It
tank was reading
Aisys
could have also
empty. The tank had
caused damaged the
just been changed.
pin system if they
continued to tighten
them too much.
Called to the room
because the Cerebral
Oximetry was
Somanetics alarming a yellow
Cerebral Oximetry
code. Output device
not connected.
During the case the
machine had been
moved and the
connection to the PC
had been pulled out.
After reconnection
the alarm went away.
Fluid Detected in the
Cell Saver 5+
centrifuge
The Waste bag was
too full and was not
allowing the waste to
go anywhere. Once
we emptied the bag
the alarm went away.
Reason
Called
O2 flush button
stuck open
circuit leak test
failed
Offending
Machine
Resolution
GE Aisys
Could not get the
flush to stick. Called
Biomed to check out.
Biomed took the
machine apart and
cleaned all parts.
Could not duplicate
GE Aisys
Checked all
connections of the
CO2 tubing, elbow,
hoses, sodasorb
canister, breathing
Notes
15
bag. Checked for
moisture in the flow
sensor, and
condenser. Set APL
valve between 30
and 70. Filled
breathing bag with
O2. Released using
the drain valve on
the condenser. Lots
of moisture was
released. Did this
several times. Circuit
leak test passed.
GE Aisys
Checked all
connections on
circuit and CO2
tubing. Reset defend
cartridge. Still would
not pass. Changed
out the CO2 canister
and test passed.
Found a small crack
in the housing of the
CO2 canister
Vaporizer won't seat GE Aisys
Sevo vaporizer won't
seat. Keeps popping
out. Changed to a
new vaporizer and
sent offending
vaporizer to Biomed
for repair.
FICO2 reading
above 7
GE Aisys
Changed sodasorb
canister. easy fix
Draeger
While checking the
Draeger machine in
OB, The pressure
was not steady.
Leaking. I reset the
absorbers and
checked the
Spiromed. This fixed
the problem. I think
the sodasorb
Circuit leak test
failure
Pressure test not
steady
16
canisters were not
seated tightly.
Cell Saver Error, Air
Detected in Fill
Cell Saver
Cycle
The placement of the
tubing in the valves
was not seated
correctly, removed
and reseated. Quick
fix
Called to room for
blank screen on
Glidescope
Glidescope
The Cable had been
damaged and had to
be sent to Biomed to
be fixed
Pump Error
Cell Saver 5+
The tubing next to
the roller pump had
not been inserted
correctly and was
keeping the pump
from rolling.
Adjusted the tubing
and problem solved.
High Pressure Alarm
Belmont Rapid
Infuser
The Patient was
checked and the rate
had to be lowered.
Reason
Called
Black Spots on
Screen
Art Line Cable not
working
No light in the
laryngoscope
Offending
Machine
Storz Fiberoptic
Bronchoscope
GE Aisys
Laryngoscope
Resolution
Notes
Some of the Fibers
had been broken and
scope had to be sent
to Biomed to be
fixed.
Very important to
hold scope properly
or it will break the
fibers and it is very
expensive to fix!
Replaced the cable
with a new one.
Sometimes the
cables can be worn
down and become
cracked.
Replaced the
batteries
Try replacing all
need to check the
batteries before each
case.
17
weak batteries
weekly or twice a
week if necessary.
Check batteries on
Tuesdays and
Fridays.
monitor went blank,
during case
It makes it easier if
you check your
batteries on a weekly
or biweekly basis
and replace any that
are not bright. I do
this on my
laryngoscope
handles and
intubating
bronchoscopes.
I got lucky,
discovering this cord
Checked all circuit
wasn't functioning. I
breaker pop out
took a cord from
buttons. All were
another room and
fine. Checked power replaced the bad one.
Draeger
cord and discovered Had Biomed replace
Narkomed(our old
it had no power
cord in the other
anesthesia machines)
supply. Replaced
room the next day.
power cord and
No more problems.
monitor came back If something similar
online.
were to happen I
would check the
power cord first.
Laryngoscope handle
Heine handles
light flickering
.replaced batteries
and the problem
persisted. Took the
handle apart and
discovered moisture
had accumulated
inside the handle.
Took handle
completely apart and
dried all pieces.
Also, took sandpaper
and cleaned the
connection between
the batteries and the
bulb, where slight
corrosion had
accumulated. put it
all back together, and
no more problems
w/that handle.
our laryngoscope
handles get wiped
down with
disinfectant between
each case. So
occasionally they get
moisture inside.
18
Over temp Light
flashing and alarm
sounding
No sound
During intubation
screen went black
Bair Hugger
You can touch any
button on the screen
to turn off the alarm
but you should also
unplug the machine
and call your Bio
Med Tech to service
the machine.
Replaced with a
different Bair
Hugger
GE Dash 300
Monitor
Tried to increase the
volume on the screen
but no sound still.
Changed the
batteries and there
was still no sound.
Had to get a new
monitor and take the
other one to Biomed.
Storz Fiberoptic
Bronchoscope
Doctors had turned
the screen really hard
towards them in
panic to see better
and when they did so
they pulled the cord
out of the back of the
monitor. Just had to
plug it back in and
we were up and
running.
Check to make sure
the cord to the
monitor is secure in
the back before
giving machine to
doctors.
Turned up the
suction rate as high
as I could with out
damaging the RBC
but not change. Then
i found that someone
taken a second set of
tubing from the
surgeon and placed it
on the reservoir. This
was causing the main
tubing to not have
proper suction.
If you need a second
set of tubing you
should either get
another Cell Saver or
attach another
reservoir to IV pole
and give the
surgeons another set
of sterile tubing
Suction not working
Cell Saver 5+
correctly
When hooking up
the Bair hugger
make sure that
nothing is blocking
the airflow. If the
flow of air is blocked
or impeded in
anyway; it will cause
the machine to read
"Over Temp" and
alarm.
19
Reason
Called
No waveform
Offending
Machine
Resolution
Notes
Checked the monitor
to see if the
parameters were set
to the appropriate
Pressure Transducer scale they were so
(ART, CVP, PA)
then I made sure that
the parameters were
turned on…which,
they were not.
Problem fixed.
Vaporization cassette
keeps popping out of GE Carestation,
machine, wont stay Aladin2 cassette
in
The locking
mechanism was
worn and the cassette
would not stay
latched. Replaced the
cassette with a new
one, problem solved.
this problem has just
started happening
with a few of the
machines our
machines are about 3
and a half years old
Called to room there
GE Carestation
is a "large leak" you
anesthesia machine
could here it
The machine had
passed the circuit
leak test prior to case
starting, but the
anesthesia doc had
replace the
disposable co2
canister during
current case, and had
not seated the
canister cradle firmly
enough, I released
the canister and
reseated it into the
cradle, problem
solved
this happens alot
when the anesthesia
provider changes the
soda lime cannister,
because they are
busy multitasking, I
wish they would just
call us to do it.
Called to room
because the
GE Carestation
resolution buttons on
patient monitor
the side of the patient
display.
monitor would not
work
The touch sensitive
buttons on the side of
the monitor were
cracked (I believe
this is caused by the
cleaning wipes we
use) and flaking off.
I called bio med and
I've asked if we
should use different
cleaning wipes, but
have been told by the
GE reps that the ones
we use are the
recomended ones
20
they replaced the
interface key pad
with a new one, as
we don’t stock those
parts, problem
solved.
Called to room for
suction not working
Datex-Ohmeda
Always when turning
over a room the
i check the hose
suction should be
could not see
check and also
anything wrong then
before the case the
i check the
anesthesiologist
connections to the
should also check.
canister and could
see that the lid was
It is the ultimate
not put on tight this
responsibility of the
was a easy fix.
anesthesia provider
to check their
When setting up a
machine before each
new suction canister,
case to ensure there
always apply suction
are no problems with
until you hear a
the machine and that
small pop. This lets
there is working
you know that the
suction available; but
top is sealed. Also
we all know who
check your gauge to
will get yelled at if
make sure you have
something is wrong
working suction.
or there is not
suction.
Intubation
Fiberoptic
Bronchoscope
When the dr. went to
The scope should be
use the light was out
check before going
on scope i replace
in the room.
the battery.
Bellows not raising
Draeger-Apollo
Talk to supply
Check machine is
support to very
good change circuit careful when
and it work take old opening boxes with
circuit test in other
knife because of
machine it had knife what happen and I
cut.
show them the
circuit.
Bad waveform
pressure transducer(
ART)
Check monitor pass
no problems change
transducer and go it
The transducer that I
change took the lot
number and made
21
working.
Pressure cuff
Nerve Stimulator is
not working
Battery safety issue
report to see if we
will get some more
defectives
transducer.
peds size
Talk to my coworker to be careful
when turning over a
Would not pick up
room and always set
and I when check out
the machine for
the machine it was
proper cases from
set for an adult. I
adult to peds.
went change setting
This does not happen
everything back to
on the Aestiva/5: it
normal.
will read the BP
regardless of what it
is set on.
Micro-Stim Nerve
Stimulator
Usually these
machines do not
work properly if the
battery is weak.
If it is the wires that
Replace battery first. are the problem,
If it still doesn't work replacing them
replace the wires (if usually resolves the
they are being used). issue. Rarely is it the
If all else fails, send actual machine.
it to Bio-Med.
I always keep an
extra 9 volt battery
on each anesthesia
cart because you
never know when it
will be needed.
Infus O. R. syringe
pumps
Received a safety
alert from the
company stating that
Energizer batteries
can cause the pump
to malfunction or fail
and to stop using
them.
Monitor reading "no
probe" on sp02
GE Care station
monitor.
Use Duracell "C"
cell batteries
Pt arms were tucked During long cases
at sides during open especially ones
heart surgery, unable where arms are
22
to get under drapes
to check probe or
connections. I got the
spare trunk cable out
of the anesthesia
machine and placed
a forehead probe on
pt. Immediately got a
tracing and a o2 sat
reading of 100%
tucked it’s a good
idea to place the
probe sensor on an
area that’s not
confined. When the
case was over and
we removed the arm
sleds, I noticed the
finger probe was
smashed and moved
off the finger.
fluid level was low
Called to room
Baxter Hot line fluid refilled with
because fluid warmer
warmer
hydrogen peroxide/
was alarming
sterile water solution
Called to room
because they had set
up the art line and
Carestation GE
they could not get
"Art Line" to show
up when connecting
the cable
Could not get Fico2
reading on top
monitor
Reason
Called
Airway Pressure
High
GE Carestation
Offending
Machine
Fabius Tiro
The screen was not
configured to show
Art line. I went to
monitor set up, went
to screen one set up
and added Art line to
the wave form screen
Some anesthesia
docs change screen
set ups for their cases
and don’t switch
them back, its a good
idea to check this
after each case
The interface module
that allows
information to be
shared from main
monitor to the slave
monitor in a more
prominent form on
top of the machine
was broke, called bio
med and they
brought up a new
module.
Machine was still
usable and there is a
fico2 reading on the
main monitor its just
not as easy to see
Resolution
Notes
Checked the hose
system on the
machine and found
there was a kink in
23
the hose.
Error message
Fabius Tiro
"Check APL Valve"
The APL bypass
valve connection and
become
disconnected. Easy
Fix
Error message
"Fresh Gas Low"
Tanks were all full
so next I checked the
breathing circuit and
found there was a
leak. Replaced
circuit and problem
solved.
Fabius Tiro
Called to room for
Daytex Ohmeda
monitor not working
The anesthesiologist
The monitor went
not happy about this
black during case I
but I made sure that
check all the
when biomed was
connections
coming he also made
everything looked
sure he had a
good to me. I called monitor with him so
biomed and we
we could save time.
pulled the monitor
All of our rooms
and put a new one on were going so I
and everything
could not get a
worked out fine.
monitor from another
room
Called to room for
blood pressure cuff
not working
Datex Ohmeda
I checked the blood
pressure hose and
found a split in the
hose. I went and got
a new hose and
replace it and
everything worked
out
Datex Ohmeda
I change the oxygen
sensor on her finger
and still wasn’t
working. I took the
O2 sensor box from
the anesthesia
machine and replace
it with another o2
sensor box and it
worked out. i then
Called to room for
02 sensor not
working
24
sent the bad box to
biomed to be
checked out
CO2 gas bench not
registering on
monitor
Baer Hugger not
heating
EKG not working
after case started
One of the cylinders
does not connect to
the ceiling
The drawer of the
anesthesia machine
is broken
Fluid warmer was
alarming
Draeger
Found monitor cord
unattached from gas
bench. Screws to
hold in place
stripped. called
biomed and had cord
replaced
Baer Hugger
Turned off Baer
Hugger, turned back
on. Changed temp
settings, still not
heating. Sent to
biomed for repair
and replaced with
another one
EKG, Aisys
Upon inspection of
the EKG leads found
one crushed from the
arm board. Got new
EKG leads and
problem solved
Cylinder
Moved the
anesthesia machine
to the other hook up
on the other side of
the room
Datex Anesthesia
Machine
I would taped the
drawer on the side so
Write up a work
the drawer doesn't
order so Biomed can
slide back and hit the
fix the loose drawer
anesthesiologist in
the leg
Ranger
The alarm went off
because it was
getting to warm.
Went switch out with
another fluid warmer
and then had Biomed check it out.
I notice that the tank
was closed but it was
empty. I changed the
tank with a new one.
GE service rep came
out and replace the
one way valve in the
back of the machine.
Called to the room
because the air tank
Datex
was empty on the
back of the machine.
Write up a work
order so maintenance
can fix the damage
hose hanging from
the ceiling
25
I then disconnected
the air hose from the
pipe line and from
the back of the
machine. I turn the
air tank on and heard
it leaking from the
machine. I
reconnected the air
hose to the machine
and the pipe line.
Not reading change
PC and still not
reading change cable
from machine and
still not reading, got
PC for the thigh and
work.
After the case was
over I try the old PC
on me (the one that
didn`t work on the
patient) and it
worked on me.
Call in to help with a
GE Aestiva /5
swan
Not getting the right
waves and tried a
couple of time we
change swan and
work it was a
defective one I spent
in that room to one
hour before I got out.
Checked the lot
number to see if we
got some more
defective ones, but
none so far.
Machine had two
alarms going off all
at once: 12 hour test
and Insp. rev flow.
The patient was on
mechanical
ventilation, i asked
the Dr. if we could
turn off the machine
to re-boot. He
bagged the patient
That spare housing
while we did this; 12
for the flow sensors
hour test alarm was
is invaluable.
cleared. Next, I
swapped out the flow
sensors with a spare
housing containing
new sensors. Insp.
rev flow alarm
cleared.
Called pressure cuff
not working
Draeger Apollo
Aespire
Monitors went black,
Aespire
but still had sound
Checked all cables
were connected. Got
26
a portable monitor so
the Dr. could
maintain the patient.
called service
provider, they
suggested a cord
failure. had biomed
bring up spare cord.
problem resolved.
In an emergency one
may use a 3 lead
ECG set attached to
a 5 lead cable and it
This always occurs may work correctly
Complaints about
when the 3 lead set is but most often it
ECG wave being too
GE Aestiva 5 and
plugged into the 5
produces a wide
wide and the
Datex Ohmeda Excel lead cable. Changed wave form. I had
anesthetist cannot
210
the cable to a 3 lead troubleshot this
correct it on the
one and the problem previously to the
monitor.
was corrected.
extent of changing
the module, ECG
leads and 5 lead
cables and still had
the problem.
Called to room: BP
cuff not inflating
properly
Draeger Narkomed
GS
...I always dbl check
connections first and
then quickly scanned
and found culprit to
be the "Y" in the
hose was split further
than normal...I
grabbed b/u hose all
was good
Reason
Called
Offending
Machine
Resolution
I, too, get called
because the EKG
wave is reading
Draeger, Narkomed
wide but my source
is different
I have found that
sometimes it is merely
interference...Something
as simple as unplugging
the OR table, contingent
upon the fact the bed is
This happens over
time but the cuff can
be restored...Biomed
cuts hose beyond
split and reattaches
the metal tips…back
on track you
go..voila
Notes
I try not to keep
excessive clutter
items or cords
around. (Safety
1st)…like Bair
huggers...fluid
27
"charged", and often
times it solves it
warmers... "not in
use" or other items
that may encourage
interference