Cardinal Health Kendall SCD Express

Pump Not Building Pressure

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Asset Type

Sequential Compression Device (SCD)

Manufacturer

Cardinal Health

Model

Kendall SCD Express

What This Guide Helps With

Troubleshooting low pressure, no inflation, sleeve leaks, tubing issues, or pump pressure faults before repair escalation.

Step-by-Step Troubleshooting

Ensure Patient Safety First

Confirm the Kendall SCD Express is not actively being used on a patient before troubleshooting the pump, tubing, sleeves, ports, or power source.

If compression therapy is still required, have clinical staff move the patient to another working SCD.

Expected outcome: Patient therapy is not interrupted by a device with unreliable compression.

Confirm the Exact Complaint

Ask staff what they observed. Determine whether the issue is:

Expected outcome: The issue is narrowed to pump output, tubing, sleeve, port, or sensing/alarm behavior.

Check for Active Alarms or Error Indicators

Look for any displayed alarm, flashing indicator, or pressure-related fault before powering the device off.

The SCD Express manual describes a condition where pressure during inflation does not rise above 5 mmHg, which points toward a pressure-building problem.

Expected outcome: The alarm behavior is documented before troubleshooting changes the condition.

Verify Proper Power Source

Confirm the controller is connected to a known-good AC outlet and the power cord is fully seated.

If the unit is operating on battery, plug it into AC power and retest.

Expected outcome: Low battery or weak power input is ruled out as a cause of poor pump performance.

Inspect the Tubing Set

Check that the tubing is fully connected to the controller and to the compression sleeves.

Look for:

Reconnect or replace the tubing set if needed.

Expected outcome: Airflow from the controller to the sleeves is restored. If pressure builds normally, stop troubleshooting.

Check the Compression Sleeves

Inspect the sleeves for leaks, torn seams, poor wrap fit, incorrect size, or disconnected ports.

Replace the sleeves with known-good compatible sleeves.

Expected outcome: A leaking or damaged sleeve is ruled out. If the replacement sleeves inflate normally, return the controller to service after functional verification.

Test One Port at a Time

Connect a known-good tubing set and sleeve to one controller port at a time.

Start therapy and observe whether each side inflates.

Expected outcome: Determines whether the issue follows the accessory setup or remains with a specific controller port.

Confirm Correct Sleeve/Application Selection

Verify the device is configured for the correct sleeve type and limb application being used.

Incorrect setup can cause the controller to behave as though pressure is not building correctly.

Expected outcome: Controller settings match the attached sleeves and clinical use.

Listen for Pump Operation

During startup or inflation, listen for normal pump activity.

If the pump is silent, weak, unusually loud, or runs continuously without sleeve inflation, document the behavior.

Expected outcome: Pump function is assessed without opening the controller.

Check for Obvious External Air Leak

With known-good sleeves and tubing connected, allow the unit to attempt inflation. Listen and feel near the tubing connectors and sleeve fittings for escaping air.

Do not place the device back on a patient during this check.

Expected outcome: External leaks are identified before assuming internal pump failure.

Inspect the Controller Ports

Look at the controller air ports for broken fittings, debris, fluid contamination, bent connectors, or damaged port seals.

Do not insert tools deeply into the ports.

Expected outcome: Visible port damage or obstruction is identified.

Check for Fluid Contamination or Physical Damage

Inspect the controller for signs of impact, liquid intrusion, cracked housing, unusual smell, unusual heat, or contamination around the ports.

The manufacturer notes that the controller contains no user-serviceable parts and that other maintenance should be performed by qualified service personnel.

Expected outcome: Damage or contamination is identified as a reason to remove the device from service.

Perform a Functional Check with Known-Good Accessories

Use a known-good power source, known-good tubing set, and known-good compatible sleeves. Start the controller and verify that pressure builds and sleeves cycle normally.

Expected outcome: If the unit builds pressure normally, the original accessory setup was likely the issue. If the unit still fails, the controller likely requires repair.

If the Problem Persists

If the Kendall SCD Express still does not build pressure after power, tubing, sleeves, ports, setup, and external leaks have been checked, common external causes have been ruled out.

The device should be:

Do not continue troubleshooting into internal pump, valve, sensor, or board-level repair during floor support. The manufacturer’s service information indicates that suspected board-level failures should be returned for service rather than repaired at component level.

Knowing when to stop is proper troubleshooting.

Clinical Use Tip

Do not troubleshoot pressure-building issues while the SCD is connected to an active patient. Move the patient to a working device first, then evaluate the controller, tubing, and sleeves in a safe area.

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 pump was running but the sleeves were not inflating or building pressure."

Cause

What was observed during troubleshooting.

Example:
"Found loose tubing connection at the controller port and no pressure buildup during initial functional check."

Resolution

What action was taken.

Example:
"Reconnected tubing, replaced worn sleeve set, verified both ports inflated properly with known-good sleeves, and returned device to service."

Helpful Details to Include (If Known)

Final Thought

For an SCD pressure issue, start with patient safety, then work through the simple external causes: power, tubing, sleeves, ports, leaks, and setup. If pressure still does not build with known-good accessories, remove the controller from service and document the failure clearly using CCR.

That is successful troubleshooting.

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