If you work with patients in the health-care field, you’ve likely encountered or even used vital signs monitors. Vital signs equipment is used to generate data and illuminate critical aspects of a patient’s health, such as heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation. Reliable data from these devices informs medical decisions and interventions.
While vital signs monitors are, well, vital for diagnosing and treating patients, they also have occasional quirks and hiccups. You may not have immediate access to a technician to fix a malfunctioning monitor, so what do you do when a device refuses to provide the accurate data you require for patient care?
Here’s a guide to troubleshooting common vital signs monitor issues. Sometimes, a machine just needs minor adjustments to work properly. This guide can help you save valuable time and effort you can put toward patient care.
Types of Vital Signs Equipment
Vital signs equipment comes in various forms that measure specific health parameters. Blood pressure monitors are the most familiar type of vital signs equipment, showing up in homes, hospitals, and other health-care environments. Pulse oximeters are another kind of vital signs monitor. They read oxygen saturation levels through a device clipped onto the fingertip.
Thermometers may be the oldest type of vital signs monitoring equipment, using different means—from mercury to infrared sensors—to gauge a subject’s temperature. As a final example, electrocardiographs (ECGs or EKGs) record cardiovascular activity on paper or electronically to chart the heart’s behavior. And there are many more monitors of varying complexities that measure and monitor the body’s activities.
Naturally, not all devices are alike, and when some malfunction, they require downtime and an expert’s eye. But in the meantime, if your vital signs monitor isn’t working, here are few troubleshooting tips to bring them back online.
Common Problems With Vital Signs Monitors
The following issues will probably be familiar to anyone who works with vital signs monitors. If you have a manual or access to an online guide to your machine, consult it as well since it provides more specific ways to handle these common problems.
Inaccurate Readings
Has your device been giving unusual readings? Frequent inaccuracies in blood pressure or heart rate data are typical issues. The cause may be easily tracked down. Calibration issues, sensor misplacement, and hardware malfunctions can all deliver incorrect readings. Recheck the positioning and attachment of sensors, including cuffs and clips. If the sensors look worn or broken, replace them. This is the most common reason for faulty readings. If the device continues to report inaccurate readings, recalibrate it according to the manual. If that fails, call a technician.
No Power
Perhaps the most frequent issue with faulty electronic devices is loss of power. Don’t feel silly if you forget to turn on or plug in a device—it happens to the best of us. Ensure the monitor is plugged in and switched on—nine times out of 10, problem solved!
But what if the device is plugged in, turned on, and working, then it suddenly shuts off, or the monitor fails to activate? It could be a loose connection, a power supply issue, or a case of battery failure. Plug it in, and check the cords. Maintain a periodic battery charging schedule, and try to recharge the device before calling a repair person. If that doesn’t work, it might not be a simple fix, and you’ll need a professional to help.
Alarm Malfunctions
Here’s an irritating glitch: you’re conducting a test, and an alarm goes off for no apparent reason, at the wrong time, or not at all. This may be a software issue, or the device may be set incorrectly. Do a reset on all alarm functions, and ensure your device’s software is up to date. Train your staff in setting the alarms and sensitivity settings as well. It may be that someone does not understand how to properly operate it. If the alarms persist, however, call in a tech.
Display Issues
Having trouble reading results due to flickering, erroneous data, or a blank screen? It might be another instance of bad connections between the device and the screen. Hardware and software defects may be the culprit, requiring recalibration and software updating. It may be that the system simply needs a reboot, so turn it off and then on again, or program it to restart. Call a tech if the problem continues since it may require deeper diagnostics.
Error Messages
This might be the easiest—or the most frustrating—bit of troubleshooting. You can easily look up error codes in the manual or online to reveal an issue. But what if the error codes don’t seem to correlate with the problem? Misconfigured settings or internal software conflicts may deliver the wrong messages. Resetting the device to the default settings may be enough to clear potential software conflicts, but it may be worth performing a full software update.
Tips for Preventive Maintenance
The best way to fix a problem is to make sure it never becomes one. Implement a program of preventive care to tend to your devices and ensure they provide the proper data. Below are some best practices for vital signs monitor maintenance.
Regular Calibration
Regular calibration is not the solution to every problem mentioned above, but it’s a good practice to get in the habit of. Schedule regular calibration sessions to maintain accurate readings.
Routine Cleaning
A clean machine runs better. Ensure all parts of your vital signs monitoring equipment are clean and sterilized. Sensors and screens should always be cleaned after use to avoid interference with readings.
Staff Training
Consistently train staff on the proper use and maintenance of equipment, and teach them the troubleshooting tips above. A lesson delivered by those who know the equipment best can’t hurt.
Call an Expert
When a device is malfunctioning, and troubleshooting it yourself isn’t working, call a certified repair person. In addition, hire a professional twice a year to inspect, clean, recalibrate, and update your devices so (hopefully) you’ll never need repairs!
That’s our brief guide to troubleshooting common vital signs monitor issues. If your vital signs equipment continues to fail, give us a call. We can help with repairs, maintenance, and new equipment!
