User's Manual

www.masimo.com 107 Masimo
Chapter 7: Troubleshooting
The following chapter contains information about troubleshooting the Radical-7 system.
Troubleshooting Measurements
See Parameter Related Safety Information, Warnings, and Cautions on page 11.
Signal Indication and Quality Indicator (SIQ)
The Radical-7 Pulse CO-Oximeter display provides a visual indicator of the plethysmogram
signal quality and an alert when the displayed SpO2 values are not based on adequate
signal quality. The signal quality indicator displayed on the Radical-7 Pulse CO-Oximeter is
called the SpO2 SIQ. The SpO2 SIQ can be used to identify the occurrence of a patient’s
pulse and the associated signal quality of the measurement.
With motion, the plethysmographic waveform is often distorted and may be obscured by
artifact. The SpO2 SIQ, shown as a vertical line, coincides with the peak of an arterial
pulsation. Even with a plethysmographic waveform obscured by artifact, the Radical-7 Pulse
CO-Oximeter locates the arterial pulsation. The pulse tone (when enabled) coincides with
the vertical line of the SpO2 SIQ.
The height of the vertical line of the SpO2 SIQ indicates the quality of the measured signal.
A high vertical bar indicates that the SpO2 measurement is based on a good quality signal.
A small vertical bar indicates that the SpO2 measurement is based on data with low signal
quality. When the signal quality is very low the accuracy of the SpO2 measurement may be
compromised. See About the Status Bar on page 49.
When parameters are dimly lit, proceed with caution and do the following:
 Assess the patient.
 Check the sensor and ensure proper sensor application. The sensor must be well
secured to the site for the Radical-7 Pulse CO-Oximeter to maintain accurate
readings. Misalignment of the sensor’s emitter and detector can result in smaller
signals and cause erroneous readings.
 Determine if an extreme change in the patient’s physiology and blood flow at the
monitoring site occurred, (e.g. an inflated blood pressure cuff, a squeezing
motion, sampling of an arterial blood specimen from the hand containing the
pulse oximetry sensor, severe hypotension, peripheral vasoconstriction in
response to hypothermia, medications, or an episode of Raynaud’s syndrome.)
 With neonates or infants, check that the peripheral blood flow to the sensor site
is not interrupted. Interruption, for example, may occur while lifting or crossing
their legs during a diaper change.
 After performing the above, if the parameter remains dimly lit frequently or
continuously, obtaining an arterial blood specimen for CO-Oximetry analysis may
be considered to verify the oxygen saturation value.
See Parameter Related Safety Information, Warnings, and Cautions on page 11.