On this page
Asset Type
Manufacturer
Model
What This Guide Helps With
Troubleshoots premature bag-empty alarms caused by container setup, tubing, air, formula flow, disposable condition, positioning, or pump sensing problems.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting
1. Protect the Patient
If the pump repeatedly stops feeding while formula remains available, move the patient to another verified pump or approved feeding method while troubleshooting.
Expected outcome: Feeding continuity is maintained.
2. Confirm the Alarm Timing
Determine how much formula appears to remain, whether the alarm occurs immediately or after prolonged feeding, and whether the issue occurs with one specific formula, bag, or disposable set.
Record the displayed message.
Expected outcome: The conditions associated with the premature alarm are identified.
3. Inspect the Feeding Container
Check that formula can leave the container normally and that the outlet is not obstructed, folded, collapsed, or positioned so that fluid cannot reach the tubing inlet.
Expected outcome: Formula is freely available to the feeding set.
4. Inspect for Air and Tubing Problems
Trace tubing from the bag to the pump.
Look for large air gaps, partial collapse, closed clamps, kinks, pinched sections, or tubing pulled tightly through the pump.
Expected outcome: A continuous, unrestricted fluid path reaches the pump.
5. Verify Bag and Pump Position
Ensure the feeding container and pump are positioned normally and that tubing is not being lifted or routed in a way that allows air to enter prematurely.
Expected outcome: Positioning supports a stable supply of formula.
6. Check Disposable Loading
Inspect the set for correct loading, deformation, or contamination. Reload it carefully and verify normal cassette-door closure.
Expected outcome: The pump interfaces correctly with the tubing and cassette.
7. Re-Prime if Appropriate
Using a nonpatient setup, prime the feeding line so that formula or test fluid reaches the pump without excessive air.
Expected outcome: The fluid path contains a continuous column of fluid and the pump does not immediately indicate an empty source.
8. Test With a Known-Good Set and Test Fluid
Install a new or known-good compatible set and use an appropriate nonpatient test setup.
Expected outcome: The pump feeds normally without premature bag-empty alarms.
If the fault does not recur, remove the original disposable from use and stop troubleshooting after verification.
9. Confirm Pump-Specific Failure if It Recurs
If the premature alarm occurs with multiple known-good sets under controlled conditions, document the repeatable behavior.
Do not attempt to bypass the bag-empty detection function.
Expected outcome: A pump-specific sensing problem is distinguished from setup or disposable issues.
10. Remove the Pump From Service if Unresolved
Any pump that repeatedly stops with false bag-empty indications after external causes have been eliminated should be removed from clinical use.
Expected outcome: Unreliable feeding interruption detection does not affect patient care.
If the Problem Persists
Container, formula availability, tubing, air, loading, positioning, and disposable-set causes have been ruled out. Remaining possibilities include fluid-path sensing, mechanical interaction with the disposable, detection circuitry, or another service-level fault.
Remove the unit from service, label it Out of Service, and send it for qualified evaluation using Cardinal Health documentation and appropriate test equipment. Complete feeding and alarm verification after repair before return to service.
Stopping after confirming a repeatable false alarm is appropriate troubleshooting.
Clinical Use Tip
Do not simply silence or repeatedly restart premature bag-empty alarms; repeated feeding interruptions can affect the prescribed nutritional plan.
Work Order Documentation (CCR Method)
CCR = Complaint, Cause, Resolution
Complaint
What was reported by the clinical staff.
Example:
"Clinical staff reported that the Kangaroo Joey repeatedly displayed a bag-empty alarm while formula was still present."
Cause
What was observed during troubleshooting.
Example:
"Clinical Engineering found the feeding bag outlet was folding against the hanger and intermittently restricting formula flow."
Resolution
What action was taken.
Example:
"Corrected the bag position, verified continuous feeding without a premature empty alarm, and returned the pump to service."
Helpful Details to Include (If Known)
- Exact alarm message
- Approximate formula remaining
- Container type and position
- Formula flow from container
- Air in tubing
- Clamp and kink condition
- Disposable set condition
- Known-good set result
- Alarm recurrence during bench testing
- Final device status
Final Thought
Premature empty alarms often begin with the fluid source and tubing rather than the pump itself; verify those conditions first and escalate only after controlled testing confirms a device-specific problem.
That is successful troubleshooting.