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What This Guide Helps With
This guide assists Clinical Engineering in troubleshooting B. Braun Space Infusion Pumps where the alarm cannot be silenced or the alarm tone persists despite user attempts. This is often caused by external factors such as user settings, stuck buttons, or software issues, rather than internal electronics failure. Proper troubleshooting ensures alarms can be managed safely without compromising patient care.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting
Verify patient safety and alarm context
- Confirm the alarm is not indicating a true clinical issue (occlusion, empty bag, air-in-line).
- If the patient is connected, ensure another pump or monitoring device is in place before silencing attempts.
Check the Alarm Silence Button
- Press the designated Alarm Silence button firmly.
- Ensure the button is not physically stuck or obstructed.
- Observe if the alarm temporarily silences or resets.
Inspect the Keypad and Control Knob
- Verify that all keypad buttons and the rotary knob are responsive.
- If buttons are unresponsive, clean around buttons gently; residue can prevent proper actuation.
Confirm Volume and Tone Settings
- Access the pump menu to verify the Alarm Volume is not set to maximum or muted incorrectly.
- Reset tone settings if accessible; sometimes persistent tone occurs due to corrupted user settings.
Power Cycle the Pump
- Safely stop infusion if possible.
- Remove pump from power/docking station.
- Wait 10–15 seconds, then reconnect or power back on.
- Observe if the alarm tone stops after reboot.
Check for Active Alarms or Messages
- Ensure no hidden alarms remain on screen (some may persist in message logs).
- Clear any queued or secondary alarms per on-screen instructions.
If the Problem Persists
If the alarm tone remains stuck after all external checks:
- Remove the pump from service.
- Label it Out of Service.
- Send to Biomedical/CE bench for repair or software reflash.
Stopping troubleshooting at this point is proper to avoid patient risk or unnecessary internal intervention.
Clinical Use Tip
- Never attempt to silence alarms on an actively infusing patient without confirming the cause.
- Move the patient to another pump or stop infusion safely before testing alarm functions.
- Persistent alarm tones can interfere with clinical response; ensure safety first.
Work Order Documentation (CCR Method)
CCR = Complaint, Cause, Resolution
Complaint
What was reported by the clinical staff.
Example:
Pump alarm cannot be silenced; tone continues indefinitely.
Cause
What was observed during troubleshooting.
Example:
Alarm Silence button responsive; volume settings and power cycle performed; alarm persists.
Resolution
What action was taken.
Example:
Pump removed from service, labeled Out of Service, sent to Biomedical Engineering for bench evaluation.
Helpful Details to Include
- Confirm if other pumps in the unit have normal alarm behavior.
- Record if the keypad or buttons feel sticky or unresponsive.
- Note the last infusion settings and any software version displayed.
- Document power/docking station used and if volume settings were reset.
Final Thought
Persistent alarms, while often a software or button issue, require careful Clinical Engineering evaluation to ensure patient safety. Logical, stepwise troubleshooting allows external causes to be ruled out, and proper escalation ensures devices are safe and functional before reuse. Accurate CCR documentation provides a clear record for follow-up.
That is successful troubleshooting.