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What This Guide Helps With
Troubleshoots failure to recognize an installed feeding set or complete priming, including loading, tubing, cassette, door, and disposable-set problems.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting
1. Protect the Patient and Maintain Nutrition or Hydration
Remove the pump from active patient use before troubleshooting if feeding or flushing cannot be delivered reliably. Transfer the patient to another verified pump or approved alternate feeding method according to clinical direction.
Do not repeatedly attempt priming while the patient depends on the affected pump.
Expected outcome: Patient care continues without dependence on the malfunctioning pump.
2. Confirm the Reported Condition
Ask staff whether the pump fails to recognize the set immediately, recognizes it but will not prime, or begins priming and then stops. Note whether a feed-only or feed/flush set is installed and record any displayed message.
Restart the pump without changing the setup and confirm whether the problem is repeatable.
Expected outcome: The exact failure point is identified and documented.
3. Verify Basic Pump Operation
Connect the pump to a known-good AC source and confirm normal startup, display operation, and keypad response.
Inspect the pump for fluid intrusion, cracked housing, damaged set-loading surfaces, or other physical damage.
Expected outcome: The pump powers normally and has no obvious damage affecting safe operation.
If normal operation returns after correcting an external power or control issue, complete functional verification and stop troubleshooting.
4. Inspect the Feeding Set
Remove the disposable set and inspect it for incorrect loading, damaged tubing, distorted cassette components, closed clamps, severe kinks, contamination, or a partially seated component.
Verify that the disposable set is appropriate for the intended Kangaroo Joey feeding configuration.
Expected outcome: The set is undamaged, correctly configured, and suitable for the pump.
5. Reload the Set Carefully
Route the tubing through the pump exactly along the intended external loading path. Ensure the cassette and tubing sit fully in their respective guides without being pinched or twisted.
Close the door completely without forcing it.
Expected outcome: The set seats securely and the pump recognizes the installed disposable.
If the set is recognized and primes normally, troubleshooting can stop after final verification.
6. Check the Prime Path
Confirm that the feeding container contains fluid, tubing clamps are open where appropriate, and tubing is not compressed by bed rails, clamps, bag holders, or other equipment.
Position the feeding and flush containers normally and ensure tubing is not sharply bent near the pump.
Expected outcome: An unobstructed fluid path is available for priming.
7. Try a Known-Good Disposable Set
Replace the questionable disposable with a new or known-good compatible set.
Do not continue manipulating a disposable that appears damaged or malformed.
Expected outcome: The known-good set is recognized and completes priming.
If the known-good set works normally, remove the original disposable from use and stop troubleshooting after verifying pump operation.
8. Compare Pump Behavior With Another Unit
If practical, install the same type of known-good set on another verified Kangaroo Joey pump. This helps separate a disposable problem from a pump-specific loading or detection problem.
Expected outcome: The known-good comparison confirms whether the problem follows the disposable or remains with the pump.
9. Perform Final Functional Verification
Using an appropriate test setup and nonpatient fluid, confirm that the pump recognizes the set, completes priming, starts feeding, and responds normally to stopping and restarting.
Verify applicable alarms before return to service.
Expected outcome: The pump completes normal external functional checks without recurrence.
10. Escalate an Unresolved Recognition or Priming Failure
If multiple known-good sets are not recognized or priming repeatedly fails despite correct loading and an open fluid path, discontinue external troubleshooting.
Expected outcome: A repeatable pump-specific failure is identified for bench evaluation.
If the Problem Persists
Common disposable-set, loading, tubing, power, and positioning causes have been ruled out. The remaining problem may involve the pump's set-detection, rotor/valve mechanism, door sensing, drive system, or another service-level condition.
The device should be:
- Removed from service and labeled Out of Service
- Sent for repair or controlled bench evaluation
- Evaluated using appropriate Cardinal Health service documentation and approved test equipment
- Repaired or configured only by qualified personnel
- Subjected to applicable performance and safety testing before return to clinical use
Knowing when to stop after external causes have been eliminated is proper troubleshooting.
Clinical Use Tip
Never place a feeding pump back on a patient simply because it recognizes the set once; verify successful priming and controlled delivery first.
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 would not recognize the feed/flush set and would not begin automatic priming."
Cause
What was observed during troubleshooting.
Example:
"Clinical Engineering found the disposable cassette was not seating correctly, and a known-good replacement set was recognized normally."
Resolution
What action was taken.
Example:
"Replaced the affected disposable set, verified automatic priming and normal feeding operation, and returned the pump to service."
Helpful Details to Include (If Known)
- Exact displayed message
- Feed-only or feed/flush set used
- Whether recognition failed before or during priming
- Condition of tubing and cassette
- Door closure condition
- Known-good disposable result
- AC and battery operation
- Any visible contamination or damage
- Final priming and feeding result
- Final device status
Final Thought
Protect the patient first, verify loading and disposable components before assuming a pump failure, use known-good substitutions when appropriate, and escalate repeatable pump-specific faults with clear CCR documentation.
That is successful troubleshooting.