HIGH BACKGROUND COUNTS
Initial Procedure:
1. Check Diluent Lot Number and expiration date.
2. Check age of Diluent (i.e. when was it opened?)
3. Check that level detectors are placed correctly on the reagent containers and firmly tightened on back of analyzer.
4. Check that level detectors are in correct reagent containers (red=diluent, yellow = lyse)
5. Check reagent level.
6. Check environmental condition (i.e. extreme temperature fluctuations?)
Run total of 3
backgrounds to
verify
Did all
backgrounds
pass?
DONE
Are clots
visible ?
Perform [Clot Prevention]
procedure from
Maintenance Menu
Was procedure
followed correctly?
Repeat procedure
using correct protocol
Was monthly or
6-month mainteneance
just performed?
Is maintenance
procedure scheduled to
be performed?
Perform scheduled
maintenance and re-
analyze background.
Did
background
pass?
DONE
Try another container
of diluent.
Did
background
pass?
Run 2 Prime cycles
followed by a
background count.
Did
background
pass?
DONE
Run 3
backgrounds.
Did
background
pass?
DONE
Did
background
pass?
Contact Service
Representative
Run 2 Prime cycles
followed by a
background count
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
Perform Orifice Clean
in Maintenance menu
Did
background
pass?
DONE
NO
Check [Noise
Test] under
Service Menu
Did
background
pass?
YES
NO
NO
Were all
values '0'?
NO
YES
YES
See Noise Issue
Flowchart
Did
background
pass?
Perform 6-month
Cleaning.
YES
NO
To Next Page