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What This Guide Helps With
Troubleshooting start or resume failures caused by active alarms, incomplete programming, tubing or syringe loading, closed clamps, power issues, or accessory problems.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting
1. Ensure Patient Safety First
Do not troubleshoot a pump that will not start or resume while the patient depends on it for medication delivery.
- Notify the responsible clinical staff.
- Transfer the infusion to another verified pump when continued therapy is required.
- Clamp the administration set before opening an Infusomat Space pump door.
- Secure the syringe and line before manipulating a Perfusor Space syringe pump.
- Use additional caution with vasoactive, sedating, high-alert, pediatric, neonatal, or short-half-life medications.
Expected outcome: Prescribed therapy continues safely without depending on the affected pump.
2. Identify the Exact Start Failure
Determine whether:
- The pump does not respond when the start key is pressed.
- The pump briefly starts and immediately stops.
- The pump remains paused after an interruption.
- A displayed message prevents the infusion from starting.
- The issue began after changing the administration set, syringe, medication, battery, or docking position.
- The problem affects an Infusomat Space large-volume pump, a Perfusor Space syringe pump, or both.
Record the complete displayed message and any alarm tone before clearing it.
Expected outcome: The failure is clearly identified as a programming, loading, alarm, control, power, or device problem.
3. Check for an Active Alarm or Prompt
Review the display for unresolved conditions such as:
- Door open or set-loading error
- Syringe not correctly recognized
- Occlusion
- Air detected
- End of infusion or volume infused
- Battery depleted
- Standby or pause mode
- Missing programming information
- Drug-library or dose-limit prompt
- Technical error
A B. Braun Space pump may prevent infusion until the displayed condition has been acknowledged and corrected.
Correct only conditions that can be safely verified externally. Do not repeatedly silence or clear an alarm without identifying its cause.
Expected outcome: The alarm clears and the pump returns to a ready-to-start state.
If the infusion starts normally, verify operation and stop troubleshooting.
4. Verify the Infusion Is Fully Programmed
Confirm that all required values have been entered and accepted, including the applicable:
- Infusion rate
- Volume to be infused
- Time
- Dose and concentration
- Patient weight
- Drug-library selection
- Syringe type and size
Check for a confirmation screen, flashing value, unanswered question, or soft-limit notification that still requires acknowledgment.
Do not alter prescribed settings solely to make the pump start. Clinical staff must verify all therapy parameters.
Expected outcome: The programmed infusion is complete, accepted, and ready to begin.
5. Confirm the Pump Is Not in Standby or Pause Mode
Check the display for standby, stop, pause, or delayed-start status.
- Cancel standby only when clinically authorized.
- Confirm that any programmed delay has expired or been intentionally canceled.
- Press the designated start control once and observe the display.
- Do not repeatedly press controls when the pump response is uncertain.
Expected outcome: The status changes from stopped or paused to an active infusion indication.
If the pump begins infusing and remains stable, the problem is resolved.
6. Inspect the Power Source
Confirm that:
- The pump powers on normally.
- The display is stable and readable.
- No low-battery or depleted-battery message is present.
- The external power supply is firmly connected.
- The docking station or SpaceStation is connected to a verified outlet.
- The pump is fully seated in the docking position when station power is being used.
Test the wall outlet with an approved electrical tester or known-good device. When available, test the pump with a known-good compatible power supply or docking position.
The Space system may be operated individually or integrated into a SpaceStation configuration, making both pump and station connections relevant.
Expected outcome: The pump receives stable power without battery or docking-related interruptions.
7. Inspect the Administration Set on an Infusomat Space Pump
For a large-volume Infusomat Space pump:
- Verify that the correct compatible administration set is installed.
- Confirm the set is routed through the tubing channel in the correct orientation.
- Check that the pumping segment is fully seated.
- Confirm the door closes and latches without force.
- Inspect the tubing for stretching, flattening, contamination, or damage.
- Verify upstream and downstream clamps are open when clinically appropriate.
- Confirm the container has fluid and is properly vented when required.
- Check for severe kinks or closed flow-control devices.
The Infusomat Space system uses dedicated administration sets and accessories.
When safe, reload the set according to facility training. Use a new compatible set if the installed set is damaged or questionable.
Expected outcome: The pump recognizes the set, the door closes normally, and no loading or occlusion alarm prevents startup.
8. Inspect the Syringe on a Perfusor Space Pump
For a Perfusor Space syringe pump:
- Confirm the syringe manufacturer and size selected by the pump match the installed syringe.
- Verify the syringe barrel is correctly seated.
- Confirm the syringe flange is captured by the holder.
- Ensure the plunger plate is properly engaged by the drive head.
- Check that the drive mechanism is not pressing against a misaligned plunger.
- Inspect the syringe and extension tubing for damage, kinks, closed clamps, or occlusion.
- Confirm the line is connected as intended and primed according to clinical policy.
Do not force the syringe holder or drive mechanism.
Expected outcome: The syringe is recognized, mechanically secured, and accepted by the pump.
9. Check for an External Occlusion
Trace the entire infusion pathway from the fluid source or syringe to the patient connection.
Look for:
- Closed roller or slide clamps
- Clamped extension tubing
- Kinked tubing
- Closed stopcocks
- Blocked filters
- Compressed tubing beneath equipment
- Patient-position-related catheter obstruction
Clinical staff should evaluate the vascular access device. Clinical Engineering should not flush or manipulate the patient’s access.
Expected outcome: The external flow path is unobstructed and the pump starts without an immediate pressure alarm.
10. Check Air-Detection Conditions
For an Infusomat Space pump, inspect the administration set near the air detector.
- Confirm the tubing is fully seated in the detector area.
- Look for visible air in the line.
- Verify the drip chamber and fluid container are correctly prepared.
- Check that the tubing is not wet, clouded, stretched, or contaminated where it passes through the detector.
- Have clinical staff remove air and reprime the set according to policy.
Never bypass an air alarm or alter the air-detection configuration to force the infusion to start.
Expected outcome: The air condition is corrected and the pump permits startup.
11. Inspect Controls and Display Response
Press the start control once and observe whether:
- The key physically moves normally.
- The pump produces an acknowledgment tone.
- The display changes.
- A new message appears.
- Other controls respond correctly.
Clean visible contamination from the control surface using an approved method. Do not allow liquid to enter seams or openings.
If the start key is physically damaged, intermittent, or unresponsive while other controls work, remove the pump from service.
Expected outcome: The controls respond consistently and the start command is recognized.
12. Test the Pump Away From the Docking System
When the pump is installed in a SpaceStation:
- Remove it from patient use first.
- Inspect the pump and station contacts for visible damage or contamination.
- Test the pump as a standalone device using a verified power source.
- Test a known-good compatible pump in the same docking position when permitted.
Do not scrape, bend, or probe electrical contacts.
Expected outcome: The test identifies whether the failure follows the pump or remains with the station position.
If the problem remains with one station position, remove that docking position or station from service for evaluation.
13. Perform a Controlled Restart
Only after the patient has been transferred and infusion information has been preserved:
- Stop the pump.
- Disconnect it from external power or the docking station.
- Power it off normally.
- Wait briefly.
- Reconnect verified power.
- Power it on and allow startup to complete.
Do not repeatedly reboot a pump that displays a technical error or is associated with a suspected medication event.
Expected outcome: The pump completes startup, accepts programming, and responds normally.
14. Conduct a Non-Patient Functional Test
Use facility-approved test supplies and procedures.
- Install a compatible administration set or approved test syringe.
- Program a basic test infusion.
- Start, stop, and resume the infusion.
- Verify the running indicator remains active.
- Confirm expected motor or pumping operation.
- Check for unexpected alarms, resets, or intermittent stopping.
- Verify delivered volume or flow using approved test equipment when required by facility policy.
Do not return the pump to service based only on the appearance of normal screen operation.
Expected outcome: The pump reliably starts, stops, resumes, and delivers within the facility’s acceptance criteria.
If the pump passes all testing, document the findings and return it to service according to departmental policy.
If the Problem Persists
If the pump still will not start or resume after programming, loading, power, alarm, tubing, syringe, control, and docking checks, common external causes have been ruled out.
The problem may involve the start control, door or syringe-detection system, drive mechanism, pressure or air sensor, power circuit, software, or another internal component.
The device should be:
- Removed from service
- Labeled Out of Service
- Sent for repair or qualified bench evaluation
Do not bypass sensors, defeat alarms, force mechanical components, or perform unauthorized internal repairs.
Knowing when to stop and escalate is proper troubleshooting.
Clinical Use Tip
Never troubleshoot a start or resume failure while a patient depends on the affected pump. Move the therapy to another verified device before manipulating the tubing, syringe, door, power connection, or programming.
Work Order Documentation (CCR Method)
CCR = Complaint, Cause, Resolution
Complaint
What was reported by the clinical staff.
Example:
"Clinical staff reported that the B. Braun Space infusion pump accepted programming but would not start or resume the infusion."
Cause
What was observed during troubleshooting.
Example:
"Inspection found that the administration set was incorrectly seated in the Infusomat Space tubing channel, preventing the door from fully recognizing the loaded set."
Resolution
What action was taken.
Example:
"Removed the pump from patient use, correctly installed a new compatible administration set, completed start-stop-resume and delivery testing, and returned the pump to service after all tests passed."
Helpful Details to Include (If Known)
- Exact displayed message recorded
- Pump type identified as Infusomat or Perfusor Space
- Outlet tested
- External power supply checked
- Docking position tested
- Administration set or syringe replaced
- Tubing and clamps inspected
- Door or syringe holder inspected
- Alarm behavior documented
- Indicator lights or running symbol observed
- Start control response checked
- Unusual sounds documented
- Unusual heat or smell documented
- Non-patient functional test completed
- Final device status recorded
Final Thought
A pump that will not start or resume can interrupt critical medication delivery. Protect the patient first, verify external causes logically, test the complete infusion setup, and escalate when reliable operation cannot be demonstrated. Clear CCR documentation supports both patient safety and effective repair.
That is successful troubleshooting.