User's Manual

Radical-7 Chapter 7: Troubleshooting
www.masimo.com 108 Masimo
Dimly Lit Parameters
When the signal quality is very low, the accuracy of measurements may be compromised, the
parameter may be dimly lit, and the parameter may display dashes instead of a numeric
value.
Low Perfusion
It has been suggested that at extremely low perfusion levels, pulse oximeters can measure
peripheral saturation, which may differ from central arterial saturation This "localized
hypoxemia" may result from the metabolic demands of other tissues extracting oxygen
proximal to the monitoring site under conditions of sustained peripheral hypoperfusion.
This may occur even with a pulse rate that correlates with the ECG heart rate.
Low Signal Quality
Improper sensor type or application.
Next steps: Excessive motion relative to perfusion. Sensor is damaged or not functioning.
Check and see if blood flow to the site is restricted. Check the placement of the sensor.
Reapply sensor or move to a different site. See Appendix: Best Practices for Comparisons to
Reference Measurements on page 137.
SpO2 Values Do Not Correlate With Clinical Assessment or Arterial
Blood Gas Measurements
Low perfusion or sensor displacement.
Next steps: Check for error messages. See Chapter 6: Alarms and Messages on page 95.
Check placement of sensor or if it is too tight. Reapply sensor or select a new site. Set to
MAX sensitivity and confirm that the sensor is securely on the patient. See the directions for
use provided with your sensor.
Unexpected SpO2, SpCO, SpMet, or SpHb Reading
 Low SIQ or PI values.
Next steps: Reposition sensor to site with strong SIQ and PI. Average readings
taken from three different sites to improve accuracy. Submit blood sample for
laboratory CO-Oximetry test for comparison.
 Inappropriate sensor size or sensor measurement location.
Next steps:Verify proper sensor for patient size. Verify proper sensor site. See
Appendix: Best Practices for Comparisons to Reference Measurements on page
137.