Cardinal Health Kendall SCD Express

DISPLAY / KEYPAD / STARTUP FAILURE

On this page

Asset Type

Sequential Compression Device (SCD)

Manufacturer

Cardinal Health

Model

Kendall SCD Express

What This Guide Helps With

Troubleshooting SCD Express blank display, keypad response, startup, power, alarm, or boot failure from external causes.

Step-by-Step Troubleshooting

Ensure Patient Safety First

Confirm the Kendall SCD Express is not actively providing compression therapy to a patient before troubleshooting.

If the patient requires continued DVT prevention therapy, have clinical staff move the patient to another working SCD pump first.

Expected outcome: Patient therapy is maintained and troubleshooting is performed safely.

Confirm the Reported Failure

Ask clinical staff what occurred during startup.

Check whether the issue is:

Expected outcome: The problem is narrowed to power, display, keypad, or startup behavior.

Check the Wall Outlet

Plug another known-working device or outlet tester into the same receptacle.

Expected outcome: The outlet provides proper power.

If the outlet is dead or controlled by a wall switch, move the SCD to a verified outlet and retest. If this resolves the issue, stop.

Inspect the Power Cord and Plug

Check the AC power cord for cuts, bent prongs, loose strain relief, burn marks, or damage near the plug and pump connection.

Expected outcome: The cord is intact and seats securely.

If the cord is damaged, remove the device from service and replace the cord if facility policy allows. Retest after replacement. If this resolves the issue, stop.

Verify the Power Cord Is Fully Seated

Confirm the power cord is firmly connected to the rear of the SCD pump and the wall outlet.

A loose AC cord can cause intermittent startup, blank display, or unexpected shutdown.

Expected outcome: The unit receives stable AC power.

If reseating the cord restores normal startup, stop.

Test With a Known-Good Power Cord

Use a compatible known-good hospital-grade power cord if available.

Expected outcome: The SCD powers on normally with a known-good cord.

If the unit starts normally, document the failed cord and return the pump to service after safety checks.

Check for Visible Housing or Fluid Damage

Inspect the pump exterior, keypad surface, display lens, handle area, and rear power entry for cracks, fluid intrusion, sticky residue, or impact damage.

Expected outcome: No visible damage or contamination is present.

If fluid intrusion, cracked housing, burning smell, or unusual heat is found, remove the device from service and escalate for repair. Do not continue power cycling.

Perform a Controlled Power Cycle

Turn the unit off, disconnect AC power, wait briefly, reconnect AC power, and attempt startup again.

Expected outcome: The unit completes startup and the display/keypad responds normally.

If startup returns to normal and no alarms remain, verify operation with sleeves before returning to service.

Check Keypad Response

With the device powered on, press each user-accessible control normally. Do not press excessively hard or use tools.

Expected outcome: Buttons respond consistently without sticking or requiring abnormal force.

If only one keypad area is unresponsive, inspect for residue, cracked overlay, or depressed buttons. If the keypad remains unresponsive, remove the device from service.

Check Display Visibility

View the display from normal operating angles and under normal room lighting.

Expected outcome: The screen is readable and stable.

If the unit appears to operate but the display is unreadable, dim, flickering, or missing segments, remove it from service because therapy settings and alarms may not be reliably confirmed.

Check for Startup Alarm Behavior

Listen for abnormal tones, repeated beeps, or startup alarms.

Expected outcome: The device starts without unresolved alarm conditions.

If the device alarms immediately at startup, note the displayed message if visible. If the message cannot be cleared through normal user controls, remove the device from service.

Inspect Tubing and Sleeve Connections

Connect known-good SCD tubing and sleeves if the unit powers on but will not complete startup or appears to stall during readiness checks.

Expected outcome: The device recognizes connected accessories and proceeds normally.

If a bad tube or sleeve caused the startup concern, replace the accessory and stop.

Check for Mechanical Obstruction or Pump Noise

During startup, listen for unusual clicking, grinding, repeated motor attempts, or no pump activity at all.

Expected outcome: Startup sounds are normal and brief.

If the display/keypad issue is paired with abnormal internal noise, remove the device from service and send for bench evaluation.

Verify Final Operation Before Return to Service

After any successful correction, power the unit on, confirm the display is readable, keypad responds, alarms are clear, and the pump runs with known-good tubing and sleeves.

Expected outcome: The Kendall SCD Express starts normally and is safe to return to clinical use.

If the Problem Persists

If the Kendall SCD Express still has a blank display, frozen screen, unresponsive keypad, intermittent startup, abnormal alarm, unusual heat, burning smell, or repeated shutdown after external checks, common external causes have been ruled out.

The device should be:

At that point, the issue may involve the display assembly, keypad overlay, power entry, internal power supply, control board, or startup circuitry. Knowing when to stop is proper troubleshooting.

Clinical Use Tip

Do not troubleshoot a Kendall SCD Express while it is connected to an active patient. Move the patient to another working compression pump first, especially if compression therapy is ordered for DVT prevention.

Work Order Documentation (CCR Method)

CCR = Complaint, Cause, Resolution

Complaint

What was reported by the clinical staff.

Example:
"Clinical staff reported the Kendall SCD Express would not start and the display remained blank when plugged in."

Cause

What was observed during troubleshooting.

Example:
"Verified wall power and found the AC power cord connection loose at the rear of the SCD pump."

Resolution

What action was taken.

Example:
"Reseated the power cord, completed startup test with known-good sleeves, confirmed display and keypad operation, and returned the unit to service."

Helpful Details to Include (If Known)

Final Thought

For display, keypad, and startup failures, begin with patient safety, then verify power, cord condition, startup behavior, accessories, and visible damage before assuming internal failure. Clear documentation helps show what was checked, what was ruled out, and why the device was either returned to service or escalated for repair.

That is successful troubleshooting.

Related Guides

Was this guide helpful?

Don't see a guide you need?

Suggest a Guide