Alere
PT-INR Professional Monitoring Systems
INRatio PTINR Monitoring System Error Message Troubleshooting Guide ver 02 March 2014
Troubleshooting Guide
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Alere INRatio PT/INR Monitoring System Error Message Troubleshooting Guide ®
The Alere INRatio PT/INR Monitor can report abnormal operating conditions by displaying error or warning messages appropriate to the condition on the meter display. The following provides a list of the ® error messages generated by the Alere INRatio PT/INR Monitor with a description of the conditions which cause the message to be displayed. Some errors allow the user to recover from the error condition whereas others are non-recoverable. In most cases the user can recover from the error condition by repeating the test. The following table describes both recoverable and non-recoverable error message. Recovery procedures are described for each recoverable error.
Display Screen
What’s the problem? The sample was applied during the warm up period before the “Apply Sample” screen appeared.
What to do? Begin the process again with a new test strip. Be sure to wait until the “Apply Sample” screen appears before applying the sample.
A used strip was inserted.
Be sure to use a new strip for every test.
Not enough blood reached the test area.
Begin the process again with a new test strip and perform another fingerstick.
The possible causes for this are: o Not enough blood applied to the sample well. o The strip channel is blocked.
Make sure to apply a large hanging drop of blood. Consult the Fingerstick Tip Sheet if you are having problems obtaining a good sample. Do not try to add more blood from the first fingerstick.
Only certain combinations of numbers and letters are recognized by the monitor. The code entered was not recognized by the monitor.
or combination of three digits. Examples: ERROR 411 ERROR 114 ERROR 123 Etc.
Re-enter the correct code at the “Strip Code” prompt. If the message repeats, call Alere Technical Support.
The monitor had a data processing problem while calculating the results from some or all of the three channels. This may be caused by the following: o A problem with the individual test. o Not enough blood was applied to the sample well.
Begin the process again with a new test strip and perform another fingerstick.
The error appears as a three digit number. Each digit represents one of the channels on the strip and may appear as 1, 2, 3, or 4. o Example: ERROR 411
Do not try to add more blood from the first fingerstick.
Make sure to apply a large hanging drop of blood. Consult the Fingerstick Tip Sheet if you are having problems obtaining a good sample.
If the error message repeats, call Alere Technical Support
Display Screen
What’s the problem? An invalid date value was entered.
The monitor was turned on with a test strip in the strip holder.
What to do? Check the date and enter the correct day, month and year.
If the strip was a used strip remove it and insert a new strip when the “Insert Strip” screen appears. If the strip was a new strip, remove it and reinsert it when the “Insert Strip” screen appears.
Do not use a new strip that has been out of the pouch for longer than 10 minutes. If the message recurs, call Alere Technical Support.
The test result is outside the range of the monitor.
Repeat the test. If the message repeats, contact your physician.
An invalid target range has been entered e.g. the lower end of the target range entered is higher than the upper range
Re-enter the correct upper and lower values and continue with the setup.
The temperature of the room is o o less than 65 F (18 C) and the monitor cannot heat up within the allowed time.
Move the monitor to a warmer location and wait until it has warmed up before performing the test.
The temperature of the room is o o higher than 95 F (35 C) and the monitor cannot cool down.
Move the monitor to a cooler location and wait until it has cooled down before performing the test.
Display Screen
What’s the problem?
One or both of the on-board controls are out of range due to one of the following causes: o The strip has been exposed to excessive hear or humidity. o The user technique is poor. o Check Package Insert Limitation section for possible interference
ERROR QC 1+2 ERROR QC 1H ERROR QC 1L ERROR QC 2H ERROR QC 2L
If the monitors units are set to INR or INR+PT, the Error may look like any of the following: QC 1H, QC 1L, QC 2H, QC 2L, QC 1+2
If the message repeats, it may be an indication that the strips have deteriorated. Perform the following checks before proceeding: 1) Is the strip outside the expiration date on the pouch? 2) Was the strip stored outside the recommended storage conditions e.g. in a hot place? 3) Are the pouches of the remaining unopened strips damaged?
Call Alere Technical Support if the message repeats. No INR value is displayed because one or both of the on-board controls are out of range due to one of the following reasons: o The strip has been exposed to excessive hear or humidity. o The user technique is poor.
Repeat the test with a new test strip and a fresh fingerstick paying careful attention to proper technique.
If any of these conditions occurred, do not use the strips for further testing.
What to do?
QC values are displayed because the monitors units are set to INR+PT+QC
Repeat the test with a new test strip and a fresh fingerstick paying careful attention to proper technique. If the message repeats, it may be an indication that the strips have deteriorated. Perform the following checks before proceeding: 4) Is the strip outside the expiration date on the pouch? 5) Was the strip stored outside the recommended storage conditions e.g. in a hot place? 6) Are the pouches of the remaining unopened strips damaged? If any of these conditions occurred, do not use the strips for further testing. Call Alere Technical Support if the message repeats.
The printer option has been selected and one of the following may have happened: o There is no printer connected to the meter. o The printer is not functioning properly.
Recheck all the connections to make sure the printer is connected. If the error message repeats, call Alere Technical Support.
Display Screen
What’s the problem?
What to do?
There is no paper in the printer.
Insert paper into the printer and try to print again.
The batteries are running low.
Continue with the present test. Replace the battery as soon as
The batteries are dead and the meter will not operate.
Replace the batteries or Plug the unit into a wall outlet.
Error 01, Error 02, Error 03, Error 10, Error 11, Error 12, Error 13, Error 14, Error 15 and Error 20. These errors are non -recoverable
If you see any of these errors it means there is a problem with the monitor
Flashing green light in the application area
An error has been detected during the monitor self test process which causes the green light in the application area to flash
This is a non-recoverable error
If a non-recoverable error is displayed, make note of the error number and contact Alere Technical Support.
These errors cause the meter to shut down: o If the OK button is pressed o If the message has been displayed for 60 sec. If a non-recoverable error is displayed, make note of the error number and contact Alere Technical Support.
Call 877-441-7440 or visit alere.com
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