CLINITEK STATUS+

Additional Manufacturer Narrative

THE INSTRUMENT AND BATTERIES HAVE BEEN REQUESTED FOR INVESTIGATION. A NEW INSTRUMENT HAS BEEN SENT TO THE CUSTOMER. THE CAUSE OF THIS EVENT IS UNKNOWN.

Description of Event or Problem

THE CUSTOMER REPORTED THAT THEIR CLINITEK STATUS+ DID NOT POWER ON. SIEMENS SERVICE INSTRUCTED THE CUSTOMER TO UNPLUG THE UNIT AND INSTALL NEW BATTERIES. ONCE THE BATTERIES WERE INSTALLED, THE CUSTOMER ATTEMPTED TO TURN THE UNIT ON AND THEN SMELLED SMOKE. WHILE REMOVING THE BATTERIES THE CUSTOMER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE BATTERIES. SERVICE WAS NOT ABLE TO DETERMINE IF THE BATTERIES WERE INSTALLED PROPERLY AND HAD THE CUSTOMER REMOVE THE BATTERIES. A NEW CLINITEK STATUS+ WILL BE PROVIDED TO THE CUSTOMER. THERE WAS NO REPORT OF INJURY DUE TO THIS EVENT.

Additional Manufacturer Narrative

SIEMENS TECH OPS HAS COMPLETED THE INVESTIGATION. THE FAILED BATTERY CAUSING THE BATTERY HOLDER TO MELT WAS THE SOURCE OF THE BURNING SMELL, BUT IS NOT A FIRE RISK. THIS FAILURE COULD HAVE OCCURRED DUE TO THE USE OF INCORRECT, EXPIRED OR RECHARGEABLE BATTERIES. IT IS SPECIFIED THAT THE STATUS SHALL BE USED WITH COMMON 1.5V AA BATTERIES. BATTERIES OUTSIDE OF THE SPECIFIED TYPE CAN BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO THERMAL RUNAWAY, CAUSING THE BATTERY TO GENERATE EXCESS HEAT EVENTUALLY RESULTING IN THE MELTING OF THE SURROUNDING PLASTIC. THE CUSTOMER STATED THAT THEY ARE FULLY FUNCTIONAL, AND THE UNIT IS BACK IN SERVICE.