Before Calling (Equipment Techniques)

Problem Equipment terminates cycle prematurely
Condition Short Sterilize Cycle

Correction

• Insure water reservoir is full.
• Make sure water has entered the sterilization chamber.

Problem Rusting instruments and wet packs inside
Condition Instruments and packs not drying

Correction

• Insure sterilizer is sitting on a level surface.
• Don’t overload or pack trays too tightly.

Problem Poor traces on one or more channels
Condition AC Interference

Correction

• Insure that equipment is properly grounded
• Other equipment plugged into AC outlet could cause interference. Unplug other equipment.
• Make sure patient is not in contact with any metal objects.
• Patient should be laying down on a flat table that supports their entire body.

Problem Unreadable complexes and wandering baseline
Condition Artifact Interference

Correction

• Insure patient is completely relaxed.
• Be certain all electrode sites are void of all oil, dead skin, lotion, perfume, etc.
• Patient cable is draped so as not to cause stress on any individual lead.

Problem Unit will not accept test after blowing into transducer.
Condition Test not excepted.

Correction

• Patient may be leaking air through nose. Nose clip should be on.
• Patient’s lips may not be securely around mouth piece.
• Patient should be standing during test.
• Patient must exert maximum expiratory effort.
• Patient’s expiatory effort must last 6 seconds.