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What This Guide Helps With
Troubleshoots failure to start or unexpected infusion interruption caused by power, setup, programming, alarms, tubing, accessories, or external operating conditions.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting
1. Protect the Patient and Maintain Therapy
If an active infusion stopped unexpectedly, immediately ensure prescribed therapy continues using another verified pump or approved method.
Do not repeatedly restart a questionable device while a patient depends on it.
Expected outcome: Therapy continuity is restored independently of the affected pump.
2. Confirm the Exact Failure
Determine whether the pump:
- Does not power on
- Powers on but will not start infusion
- Starts and immediately stops
- Stops intermittently
- Displays an alarm or message
- Shuts down completely
Document the observed condition before changing settings.
Expected outcome: The failure mode is clearly identified. If the interruption is explained by a correctable external condition and normal operation is restored, troubleshooting can stop after verification.
3. Check Power
Verify adequate battery charge or connect the approved power supply if appropriate.
Inspect the power adapter, cord, connector, and receptacle for damage or looseness.
Test the outlet when facility power is suspected.
Expected outcome: The pump has a reliable power source. If restoring proper power resolves the problem, troubleshooting can stop.
4. Review Active Alarms
Check the pump display for active alarm conditions such as occlusion, air, door, set-loading, or fluid-source problems.
Resolve the specific external condition rather than repeatedly pressing start or resume.
Expected outcome: No unresolved alarm prevents infusion. If clearing the actual external cause restores stable operation, troubleshooting can stop.
5. Inspect Administration Set and Fluid Path
Verify that the administration set is correctly installed, the door is closed, clamps are properly positioned, tubing is unrestricted, and fluid is available.
Expected outcome: The fluid path is properly prepared for delivery. If correcting the setup allows stable infusion, troubleshooting can stop.
6. Verify Program and Controls
Review the programmed therapy using authorized clinical procedures and compare it with the intended prescription or test program.
Do not alter clinical settings solely to make the pump run.
Expected outcome: A valid program is present and can be started normally. If a simple programming or control-entry error caused the issue, correct it through authorized clinical workflow and verify operation.
7. Inspect for Accidental Control Activation
Determine whether the pump was inadvertently stopped by a user control, transport activity, accessory, or handset.
Check for stuck or physically damaged external controls without disassembly.
Expected outcome: Controls operate normally and are not causing unintended stops. If an external control issue is corrected and operation is stable, troubleshooting can stop.
8. Reproduce the Problem on the Bench
Using a known-good compatible administration set and test fluid, operate the pump in a controlled environment.
Observe whether the pump starts, runs continuously, and produces any alarms or unexpected shutdowns.
Expected outcome: The pump operates continuously under controlled conditions. If the problem cannot be reproduced and all required tests pass, troubleshooting can stop.
9. Perform Final Functional Verification
Verify startup, programming controls, infusion initiation, pause/resume function, alarms, display, power behavior, and general delivery performance using approved test equipment and procedures.
Expected outcome: The pump operates reliably without unexpected interruption. If all required checks pass, it may be returned to service according to policy.
10. Escalate Persistent or Unexplained Stops
If the pump continues to stop unexpectedly or fails to start despite correct power, setup, programming, and a known-good administration set, remove it from service.
Do not attempt unauthorized internal repair or service-menu changes.
Expected outcome: The unreliable pump is prevented from returning to clinical use until properly evaluated.
If the Problem Persists
Common external causes involving power, alarms, tubing, disposables, controls, and basic programming have been ruled out. Remaining causes may include internal power management, pumping control, sensing, software, configuration, or other service-level faults.
The device should be:
- Removed from service
- Labeled Out of Service
- Sent for repair or bench evaluation
- Evaluated using appropriate manufacturer documentation and approved test equipment
- Repaired or configured only by qualified personnel
Complete full return-to-service functional testing before clinical deployment.
Knowing when to stop external troubleshooting and escalate is proper troubleshooting.
Clinical Use Tip
An unexplained infusion stop is a reliability concern even if the pump restarts; do not return it to patient care until the cause is understood or the device is properly evaluated.
Work Order Documentation (CCR Method)
CCR = Complaint, Cause, Resolution
Complaint
What was reported by the clinical staff.
Example:
"Nursing reported the Sapphire infusion stopped several minutes after being started."
Cause
What was observed during troubleshooting.
Example:
"Clinical Engineering found the administration tubing kinked beneath the IV pole clamp, producing a recurring alarm condition."
Resolution
What action was taken.
Example:
"Repositioned the tubing, verified uninterrupted flow, and completed functional testing without further stops."
Helpful Details to Include (If Known)
- Whether pump lost power or only stopped infusion
- Alarm or message displayed
- AC or battery operation
- Outlet tested
- Administration set condition
- Program state
- Clamp and tubing condition
- Known-good set test
- Whether failure was reproducible
- Final device status
Final Thought
Unexpected stopping requires careful separation of external setup problems from device reliability problems. Preserve therapy, verify the fluid path and power first, and remove the pump from service if unexplained interruption remains.
That is successful troubleshooting.