| Problem |
Possible
Cause |
Solution |
| Results
show an unexpected increase in pH. |
Urine
at room temperature for longer than 1 hour causing overgrowth of organisms
(if present) with increase in pH and peroxidase production. |
Refrigerate
specimen if not tested within 1 hour. |
| False
Positive (+) Glucose result. |
1. Oxidizing
substances such as hypochlorite and chlorine may be present in the
sample
2.
The urine is acidic (pH < 4).
|
N/A |
| False
Positive (+) Blood result. |
Urine
at room temperature for longer than 1 hour causing overgrowth of organisms
(if present) with increase in pH and peroxidase production. |
Refrigerate
specimen if not tested within 1 hour. |
| False
Positive (+) Leukocytes result. |
1. There
may be formaldehyde in the sample
2.
Female patients may occasionally have positive results due to contamination
of sample with vaginal discharge.
|
Recollect
specimen. |
| False
Positive (+) Protein result. |
1.
Urine at room temperature for longer than 1 hour causing overgrowth
of organisms (if present) with increase in pH and peroxidase production |
Refrigerate
specimen if not tested within 1 hour. |
| |
2.
Specimen may contain disinfectants, antiseptics, detergents, or skin
cleanser compunds containing Chlorhexidine. |
Collect
specimen without use of such skin cleansers and disinfectant solutions. |
| Problem |
Possible
Cause |
Solution |
|
False
negative (–) Glucose result.
|
1.
Large amounts of ascorbic acid (>25 mg/dL) in sample
2. Urine with significantly high Specific Gravity. |
N/A |
| False
negative (–) Blood result. |
1. Large
amounts of ascorbic acid (>25 mg/dL) in sample
2. Capoten (Captopril™) in sample
3. Urine with elevated Specific Gravity or Protein
4. Oxidizing substances such as hypochlorite and chlorine
in sample.
|
N/A |
| False
negative (–) Leukocytes result. |
1. Glucose
>500 mg/dL
2. Protein >300 mg/dL
3. Urine with low pH (<5)
Tetracycline in high levels in sample
4. Cephalixin (Keflex™), cephalothin (Keflin™),
or high concentrations of axalic acids in sample.
|
N/A |
| The
PocketChem result and my visual interpretation do not agree. |
There
may be variability between visual interpretation of the results and
that of the analyzer due to differences between the human eye and
optical systems of the analyzer. |
Refer
to the AUTION Sticks 10TA Package Insert for detectable levels of
analytes. Each color block represents a range of values. Specimens
with analyte concentrations that fall between nominal levels may give
results at either level. Results at levels greater than +1 for Glucose,
Ketones, Protein, and Urobilinogen will be within 1 level of the true
concentration. |
| Problem |
Possible
Cause |
Solution |
|
E001
- Optical Movement
|
1.
Optical system does not function correctly |
Place
the instrument on a stable and level surface free of vibration when
running. |
| 2.
Movement of instrument during measurement |
Make
sure Test Strip Holder and Test Strip are set properly and turn on
power. Switch Strip type to 'C' and perform Check Strip test. |
| E002
- Lamp Intensity High |
Lamp
intensity of LED is too strong |
Clean
the white plate of the Test Strip Holder with a soft cloth moistened
with water or alcohol and turn on power. Switch Strip type to 'C'
and perform Check Strip test. |
| E003
- Lamp Intensity Low |
Lamp
intensity of LED is too weak |
Clean
the white plate of the Test Strip Holder with a soft cloth moistened
with water or alcohol and turn on power. Switch Strip type to 'C'
and perform Check Strip test. |
| E004
- Out of Paper |
There
is no paper in printer, or it is not correctly installed |
Lift
paper cover, drop a new roll of thermal paper, with paper feeding
from the bottom of roll, into the paper holder and feed leading edge
into lower slot of black paper feed. If the instrument is plugged
in, the leading edge will feed automatically. You can also press the
FEED button to advance the paper. |
| E005
- Printer |
Printer
not functioning correctly |
1.
Check connections between analyzer and printer. Check ports for
dirt, grit, or lint causing a poor connection.
2. Check AC Adapter
3. Press STOP to restore the Ready Screen |
| E006
- Strip Error |
The
test strip is not inserted correctly |
Insert
the Test Strip correctly by placing it on the Strip Holder until the
reagent end of the test strip hits the end of the strip holder. The
handle end of the reagent strip will extend about ½" outside
of the strip holder. To obtain measurement, a new strip must be analyzed. |
| Problem |
Possible
Cause |
Solution |
|
Erroneous
patient result reading strip visually.
|
1.
Color changes may occur after 2 minutes |
Proper
read time is critical for optimal results. All analytes should be
visually read at 60 seconds, except Leukocytes, which are read at
90 seconds. Color changes that occur after 2 minutes are of no diagnostic
value. Read the strips in a well-lit area avoiding direct sunlight. |
| 2.
Using deteriorated, discolored, or blackened test strips |
Always
replace the cap of reagent storage bottle tightly after removing a
strip for use. Use the stick immediately. All unused sticks must remain
in the original bottle. Transfer to any container may cause reagents
on the sticks to deteriorate and become unreactive. Do not remove
desiccant(s) from bottle. |
| 3.
AUTION Sticks 10TA have expired |
Do
not use expired Test Sticks. |
| Erroneous
patient result using PocketChem UA Analyzer. |
1.
Not using AUTION Sticks 10TA |
Use
only AUTION Sticks 10TA with PocketChem UA analyzer. |
| 2.
Instrument problem |
a.
When running routine urinalysis with AUTION Sticks, Test Strip
type in analyzer must be set to "10TA."
b. Confirm Performance of AUTION Sticks with external Quality
Control measurement.
c. Confirm Performance of PocketChem UA with Check Strip measurement. |
| Check
Strip results do not match those on the Check Strip container. |
1.
Test Strip Type was not selected and changed to "C"
before running Check Strip measurement |
Follow
procedure in User Manual to change Test Strip Type to "C"
from "10TA" before running Check Strip measurement. |
| 2.
Gray areas on Check Strip are contaminated |
Do
not touch gray areas on Check Strip to prevent contamination. |
| 3.
Defective Check Strip |
Rerun
using new Check Strip. |
| 4.
Instrument problem |
Troubleshoot
possible instrument problem. |
| Quality
Control result is out of range. |
1.
Quality Control material problem |
Check
storage, expiration date, and correct control material being used.
Repeat measurement with fresh control material. |
| 2.
Instrument problem |
Confirm
instrument performance with Check Strip measurement. If Check Strip
measurement is within range repeat control measurement. If Check Strip
measurement is out of range, repeat with new Check Strip. If still
out of range call Biostar Technical Support at 800-637-3717,
#2. |
| 3.
Not using AUTION Sticks 10TA |
Use
only AUTION Sticks 10TA with PocketChem UA analyzer. |
| Problem |
Possible
Cause |
Solution |
|
Cannot
access Special Parameters menu (Test Strip Holder orientation, Date
layout, and Measurement Units)
|
STOP
key not held down while powering-on analyzer |
The
STOP key must be depressed during power-on AND initialization to open
Special Parameter screen. Once Special Parameter screen is open, the
blinking digits on right can be changed and saved by pressing ENTER
after selection. |
| Test
Strip Holder will not fit back into testing position in Analyzer |
Guide
on bottom of Test Strip Holder not in track |
Place
the guide on bottom of Test Strip Holder into track on bottom of Optical
System and slide into place. Make sure the Holder snaps back into
place completely. |
| Blinking
Battery icon. |
Batteries
have been depleted |
Replace
batteries with 2 "AA" batteries. Analyzer unit must be removed
from printer to access the battery compartment on the back of the
analyzer. Remove old batteries and replace with fresh ones. The printer
dock is NOT capable of recharging the batteries. Batteries will only
power the analyzer unit. When using the analyzer with the printer
the AC Adapter must be used for power. |
| PocketChem
instrument will not turn on. |
1.
AC Adapter problem |
Check all AC adapter connections.
Replace AC Adapter (can be ordered from Biostar). |
| 2.
Batteries depleted |
Replace
old batteries with fresh ones, or try docking the Analyzer to the
plugged-in Printer. |
| 3.
Instrument has been physically damaged |
Check
all connections on the back of instrument for dirt, lint or other
grit. Turn power ON again by pressing ENTER. In the event of severe
damage, contact BioStar regarding warranty or replacement options.
|
| 4.
Instrument has been exposed to chemicals or other liquids or electronic
noise |
Do
not place instrument where it can be affected by direct sunlight,
liquids, electronic noise, or other magnetic material. |
| Problem |
Possible
Cause |
Solution |
| Keypad
or Display screen not responding. |
Possible
software problem |
Hold
down the START key for 5 seconds to power-off instrument, then power
it on again. If this does not work, remove the Analyzer from the Printer
and remove the batteries. Replace batteries and power-on again. Results
in memory will NOT be lost. |
| There
is no printing on the paper print-outs. |
Thermal
paper loaded incorrectly |
Take
thermal printer paper out and load correctly. Roll should feed from
the bottom with smooth side of paper facing operator when printing. |
