Hamilton G5 Troubleshooting

Verify that hospital power supply is working correctly and that all power cord connections. Replace the battery using Hamilton G5 Internal and Extended Battery Replacement.

Use a digital voltmeter to confirm that the following ventilation unit (VU) motherboard voltages are within range. If the voltages are out of range, replace the VU motherboard with Hamilton G5 Ventilation Unit Motherboard Replacement.

Provide alternative ventilation. Perform Inspiratory Valve Checks. Replace Inspiratory Valve using Hamilton G5 Inspiratory Valve Replacement.

Check the cable connections to the expiratory valve. Check the patient breathing circuit for leaks. Check that air and oxygen supplies are connected properly. Verify that expiratory valve plunger pin is clean. Replace expiratory valve cover and membrane. Replace expiratory valve using Hamilton G5 Expiratory Valve Replacement.

Provide alternative ventilation. Ensure that the device connected to the communication interface can open the VueLink protocol. Make sure the VIP EPROM is the latest version. Replace the Interface Board using Hamilton G5 Interactive Panel Motherboard Replacement.

Reconfigure the HAMILTON-G5 so that the communication interface is disabled. You can continue to ventilate the patient. Ensure that the device connected to the communication interface can understand the HAMILTON MEDICAL AG or VueLink protocol. Make sure the VIP EPROM is the latest version. Replace the Interface Board using Hamilton G5 Interactive Panel Motherboard Replacement.

Provide alternative ventilation. Make sure that the VRC EPROM is properly seated Replace the VRC EPROM using this guide. Replace the VU motherboard using Hamilton G5 Ventilation Unit Motherboard Replacement.

Fluid pools in the main or ancillary tubes causing the ventilator to not work properly.

Disconnect the tube affected from the front of the ventilator. Use gravity or controlled motion to bring the fluid out of the tube. Once the tube is clear of fluid, reconnect to ventilator and run the “Sensor Flow” test(refer to header below) to make sure everything is working properly.

Note: Disconnecting the tube from the ventilator will not provide ventilation for the patient momentarily. Make sure the patient is taken care of while the tube is disconnected.

Replace tube with a clean one.

Run “Flow Sensor” test. (Steps shown below)

When using a ventilator that is not currently being used, it is important to perform several steps to ensure the ventilator is working properly and ready for use.

Start with a “flow sensor” test.(Steps shown below)

Next, run a tightness test:

1. Similar to the “flow sensor” test. Press the system button on the bottom right of the screen, then press on the tab “Tests & Calib”.
2. Click “Tightness” to run the test.
3. If the ventilator asks to “Tighten the patient system,” place the cap on the ventilator tube end.
4. Once the tightness test is done, the display will show “Patient system tight.”
5. Uncap the ventilator once the test is complete. There will be a green check with the updated time of the most recent test.

Last, run an O2 cell test:

1. Click “O2 Cell” to run the test.
2. If the test takes a long time to run, this is a sign that the O2 fuel cell should be replaced soon.
3. Once the O2 cell test is done, the display will show “O2 Cell Calibrated OK.” There will be a green check with the updated time of the most recent test.

Alarm goes off too frequently and for unnecessary reasons

On the display, click the “Alarms” button. Adjust top and bottom numbers to set range for various alarms. If the alarm is going off unnecessarily, the lower pressure limit is likely set too high. Consult with your respiratory therapist to confirm a safe limit.

Run “flow sensor” test and confirm with a green checkmark.

(Steps for Flow Sensor test below)

Kinks in tubing can stop the circulation in a ventilator or slow it down. If fluid pooling in the circuit is not the issue after performing a flow sensor test, check for kinks in the tube.

There are many pieces of equipment and tubes in a room where people are working and patients are moving around. The ventilator tubes are not rigid and sometimes get bent when they are moved around. Inspect tube for kinks, and remove kinks by squeezing at kink or gently pulling on each side of kink.

The screen is not responding to any buttons being pressed.

Turn the display on and off from the button on the back. If the display still does not work, the display must be replaced - refer to replacement guide.

Check the ventilator’s brightness by pressing the “System” button in the bottom right of the screen. Then press on the “Day/Night” tab. From there you can adjust brightness settings to make the display more visible. If the display is fading even when brightness is turned up, consider replacing the LCD screen- refer to replacement guide.

1. Make sure the ventilator is on. If not, press the power button on the back of the console. Then the power button on the front screen.
2. The Ventilator will take some time to power up.
3. Once on, Press the “System” tab.
4. Select “Test & Calib” tab.
5. Click the “flow sensor” test to run the test.
6. Once complete the test should return a green-check and an updated date & time.
7. If the test fails, check for kinks or fluid in the tube. If no kinks or fluid are present, consult with your respiratory therapist or technician.