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What This Guide Helps With
Evaluates unexpectedly short battery operation caused by charging conditions, battery age, connections, power history, excessive load, or battery-service problems.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting
1. Protect the Patient During Battery Evaluation
Do not evaluate battery endurance while the pump is the sole source of required feeding for a patient.
Use another verified pump or maintain AC operation until continuity of care is secured.
Expected outcome: Patient feeding does not depend on an uncertain battery.
2. Confirm the Reported Runtime Problem
Determine whether the battery loses charge rapidly, shuts down unexpectedly, indicates full charge but runs briefly, or fails only during transport.
Record whether the pump had been connected to AC before the event.
Expected outcome: The reported battery behavior is clearly defined.
3. Verify AC Power and Charging Indication
Connect the pump to a known-good AC outlet and confirm normal AC operation and the expected charging indication.
Inspect the external power cord and connector for looseness, damage, or intermittent contact.
Expected outcome: The pump receives stable AC power and indicates charging normally.
4. Allow a Proper Charge Opportunity
If the pump has been stored unplugged, recently discharged, or used heavily on battery, allow it to charge according to approved facility/manufacturer practice before assessing runtime.
Do not judge battery condition from a partially charged starting point.
Expected outcome: Battery testing begins from an adequately charged state.
5. Inspect the Pump for Abnormal Load Conditions
Check whether the pump is repeatedly alarming, restarting, operating with an abnormal mechanical load, or otherwise behaving unusually.
A pump with another active fault should not be evaluated solely as a battery problem.
Expected outcome: No unrelated condition is causing excessive power consumption.
6. Check Battery Status Behavior
Observe whether the battery indication changes logically during controlled battery operation.
Look for abrupt transitions, immediate low-battery warnings, or unexpected shutdown.
Expected outcome: Battery status changes predictably as stored energy is used.
7. Perform an Approved Runtime Test
Using the appropriate manufacturer or facility procedure, operate the pump under the specified test conditions and compare performance with the applicable service requirement.
Do not invent or substitute an unofficial runtime criterion.
Expected outcome: Battery endurance meets the approved requirement.
If it does, document the test result and stop troubleshooting.
8. Repeat After Confirmed Charging if Necessary
If the first test starts from an uncertain state of charge, recharge the unit fully according to approved practice and repeat once.
Expected outcome: A repeatable result distinguishes inadequate charging from reduced battery capacity.
9. Evaluate for Battery Replacement
If the pump charges normally but repeatedly fails the approved runtime test, follow the authorized battery-replacement process.
Do not substitute an unapproved battery.
Expected outcome: A known-good approved battery restores required runtime.
10. Verify After Battery Service
After battery replacement or other authorized service, verify charging, battery operation, startup, alarms, and an appropriate runtime check before return to service.
Expected outcome: The pump safely supports required battery operation.
If the Problem Persists
External power, charging opportunity, and routine operating conditions have been ruled out. Remaining causes may include a degraded battery, charging circuitry, power-management problem, battery connection issue, or another service-level fault.
Remove the device from service and label it Out of Service if it cannot reliably meet the applicable battery requirement. Send it for qualified bench evaluation using Cardinal Health documentation and approved test equipment. Complete required electrical safety and functional testing after repair where applicable.
Stopping after a repeatable failed battery performance test is proper troubleshooting.
Clinical Use Tip
Confirm battery capability before using the Kangaroo Joey for transport or ambulatory feeding where AC power may not be continuously available.
Work Order Documentation (CCR Method)
CCR = Complaint, Cause, Resolution
Complaint
What was reported by the clinical staff.
Example:
"Staff reported that the Kangaroo Joey displayed a charged battery but shut down much sooner than expected during transport."
Cause
What was observed during troubleshooting.
Example:
"Clinical Engineering confirmed normal charging but the battery failed the approved runtime evaluation."
Resolution
What action was taken.
Example:
"Replaced the battery through the authorized service process, verified charging and runtime performance, and returned the pump to service."
Helpful Details to Include (If Known)
- Reported runtime
- Battery indication at start
- AC charging indication
- Outlet tested
- External power-cord condition
- Approximate device or battery service history if available
- Runtime test conditions
- Runtime test result
- Battery replacement performed
- Post-repair verification
- Final device status
Final Thought
Verify charging conditions before condemning a battery, use an approved runtime test rather than assumptions, and remove any pump with unreliable battery endurance from ambulatory use until corrected.
That is successful troubleshooting.