NIBP accuracy check failure

The calibration is a simple task, but you will need the Service Tool and a pressure meter with accuracy better than 0.5 mmHg. The calibration should be checked every PM to catch any drift. The Service Tool is free, the course cost reasonable, and the course is online. It will save your clinic weeks of downtime if you can do the Cal rather than sending it out.

As a caution, if a significant number of the VSM's are failing, then you should check the calibration of your test equipment; the pressure meter may be off.

I was afraid that was true: Without Service Tool, I cannot correct the NIBP Accuracy in-house. We are not permitted to download software onto any work computer; funding training requires months no matter the cost...

Would I be able to calibrate Connex Spot monitors using free Service Tool "Silver"? If so, I could download "Silver" onto a personal laptop...

How long is the "Gold" license valid? 12 months?

So far, a half dozen machines fail NIBP Accuracy; our Fluke ProSim 8 remains within its certification period. Our Connex Spot monitors are simply aging, thus leading to a high percentage (10%) of failures for this single manual test. (I have also observed two monitors displaying "SPO2" and "Pulse Rate" values without any inputs, preventing accessing the "Advanced Settings" without rebooting and hoping no ghost measurements appear.) 

welchallyn/hillrom, much like many mfrs nowadays, has made these units completely software reliant. They offer training, service tool and license for each device but at a steep price and each model has it's own license and charge

These WA units need to be calibrated on the Tool as mentioned in the previous comments. You can send it in to us as Sage Services Group. Just follow the simple steps in our repair form: https://sageservicesgroup.com/repair-form/ 

If your NIBP readings are low, auto restarts for not reading or just fail you could have a leak in your system. Hose, cuff, connectors or even the internal pump and hoses may have leaks in them. Since you have several units, a quick way to verify for external leaks excluding the pump is to use a verified good cuff and hose from another system on the failing units. If they pass with the known good cuff/hose, you have isolated the leak in the replaced cuff set.

If it still fails, you could have an internal leak such as a defective pump motor. Check the user or service manual for any leak testing procedures. One common generic test is to inflate the cuff to a high constant stable pressure and if it decays below the allowable testing parameter you have a system leak. Some systems including older less expensive ones may require an external manometer for measuring pressure.

The Silver level will tell you if it out of calibration but you will need the Gold level to calibrate. The NIBP calibration is important because that also includes the DC power supply rails. The voltage regulation is done on the NIBP board.  We have a current gold version and can do the OEM calibration, which includes firmware update, new calibration date. If you send us multiple units the price is low because the procedure is easy.