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What This Guide Helps With
This guide helps troubleshoot Sensor Error 1 on the Cardinal Health Kangaroo OMNI feeding pump. This alarm may be caused by occlusion sensor contamination, cassette tubing debris, feeding set issues, moisture, residue, or pump sensor degradation. Because Sensor Error 1 involves the occlusion detection system, the pump should not be relied on for feeding or flushing until the condition is resolved or the device is replaced.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting
Ensure Patient Safety First
- If the Kangaroo OMNI is connected to a patient, do not troubleshoot the alarm while feeding is actively needed.
- Pause therapy according to facility procedure.
- Provide another feeding pump if nutrition or flush delivery must continue.
- Expected outcome: Patient care is maintained without relying on a pump reporting a sensor error.
- Why it matters: Sensor Error 1 involves the occlusion detection system. If that system is unreliable, the pump may not properly detect flow restrictions.
Verify the Reported Alarm and Behavior
- Confirm that the display shows Sensor Error 1.
- Ask clinical staff when the alarm occurred.
- Check whether the alarm occurred during startup, during feeding, after cassette loading, after cassette removal, after cassette replacement, or intermittently after several minutes of use.
- Note whether feeding stopped, whether the pump allowed Continue, and whether the alarm returned after restarting.
- Expected outcome: The Sensor Error 1 alarm is confirmed and the behavior is clearly documented.
- Why it matters: Sensor Error 1 points to the occlusion detection sensor area, not a general feed, flush, or tubing blockage alarm.
Remove the Cassette
- Remove the feeding set cassette from the pump.
- Inspect the cassette area and the tubing inside the cassette.
- Look for lint, debris, dried formula, moisture, contamination, tubing not seated correctly, or damaged cassette tubing.
- Expected outcome: Cassette and tubing are clean, dry, and physically normal.
- Why it matters: Debris or contamination near the cassette tubing can interfere with the ultrasonic occlusion sensing area.
Inspect the Occlusion Sensor Region
- Check the occlusion sensor region on the pump for visible residue, fluid, buildup, or debris.
- Do not use sharp objects, picks, metal tools, or anything that could damage the sensor surface.
- If cleaning is needed, use approved cleaning methods and a soft bristle brush if necessary.
- Expected outcome: The sensor region is clean, dry, and free of visible obstruction.
- Why it matters: Sensor Error 1 may occur when the pump detects abnormal sensor behavior or degradation. Contamination can mimic or worsen that condition.
Clean and Dry the Area
- Clean the cassette loading area and occlusion sensor region.
- Allow the area to fully dry before reloading the cassette.
- Confirm there is no remaining moisture or cleaning residue.
- Expected outcome: The cassette area and occlusion sensor region are dry before testing.
- Why it matters: Moisture or residue can affect sensor readings and cause repeated sensor alarms.
Reload the Cassette Correctly
- Reload the cassette into the pump.
- Confirm the cassette is fully seated and aligned.
- Press Continue if prompted.
- Restart feeding using a safe test setup or per clinical workflow.
- Expected outcome: The pump resumes operation without Sensor Error 1 returning.
- If resolved, return the pump to service only after confirming normal operation and documenting the corrective action.
Replace the Feeding Set
- If Sensor Error 1 returns, replace the Kangaroo OMNI feeding set with a known-good compatible set.
- Reload the new cassette and restart feeding using a safe test setup or per clinical workflow.
- Expected outcome: The alarm clears if the issue was caused by the cassette, tubing, or feeding set.
- Why it matters: A feeding set issue can create abnormal sensor readings even when the pump itself is functional.
Isolate Pump vs. Disposable Set
- If the alarm clears with a new feeding set, document the issue as feeding set or cassette-related.
- If the alarm continues with a known-good feeding set, treat the issue as pump-related.
- Expected outcome: Troubleshooting narrows the fault to either the disposable feeding set or the pump’s occlusion detection sensor system.
- Why it matters: Sensor Error 1 may indicate sensor degradation. Once external causes are ruled out, continued use is not appropriate.
If the Problem Persists
If Sensor Error 1 continues after the cassette area is cleaned and dried, the tubing inside the cassette has been checked, and the feeding set has been replaced, remove the pump from service.
Label the device Out of Service and send it for repair or bench evaluation.
At that point, external causes such as cassette loading, tubing debris, contamination, moisture, and feeding set failure have been ruled out. Persistent Sensor Error 1 may indicate an internal occlusion detection sensor issue or sensor degradation condition.
Clinical Use Tip
Never troubleshoot on an active patient. Move the patient to a backup device first.
Do not keep restarting feeding on a pump with an unresolved Sensor Error 1 alarm. Transfer feeding to another Kangaroo OMNI pump before continuing patient therapy.
Work Order Documentation (CCR Method)
CCR = Complaint, Cause, Resolution
Complaint
What was reported by the clinical staff.
Example:
"Kangaroo OMNI feeding pump reported Sensor Error 1 during feeding. Staff reported feeding stopped and alarm returned after restart."
Cause
What was observed during troubleshooting.
Example:
"Occlusion sensor region and cassette tubing inspected. Debris or contamination was found in the cassette sensor area, causing abnormal occlusion detection sensor behavior."
Resolution
What action was taken.
Example:
"Removed cassette, cleaned and dried occlusion sensor region using non-sharp cleaning method, inspected tubing inside cassette, reloaded cassette, pressed Continue, and verified feeding resumed without Sensor Error 1. Pump returned to service."
Helpful Details to Include (If Known)
- Alarm behavior
- Accessories swapped
- Power behavior
- Environmental factors
- Indicator lights
- Final device status
Final Thought
Sensor Error 1 should be treated as a real sensor-related condition until proven otherwise. Start with patient safety, then check the cassette, tubing, contamination, moisture, and feeding set before suspecting pump failure. If the alarm continues after external causes are ruled out, removing the pump from service is the correct Clinical Engineering decision. Clear CCR documentation supports safe follow-up and repair tracking.
That is successful troubleshooting.