ICU Medical CADD-Solis

Asset Type

Infusion Pump

Manufacturer

ICU Medical

Model

CADD-Solis

What This Guide Helps With

This guide provides a structured Clinical Engineering approach when an ICU Medical CADD-Solis infusion pump triggers occlusion alarms, including:

• Occlusion alarms during active infusion
• Repeated or intermittent occlusion alarms
• Alarms with no visible tubing blockage
• “False” occlusion alarms where tubing appears patent

The focus is on logical, external, and easily verifiable checks before assuming tubing failure, pressure plate damage, or internal pressure sensor malfunction.

Step-by-Step Troubleshooting

1. Ensure Patient Safety First

• If actively infusing, transition the patient to another pump if clinically necessary.
• Do not perform extended troubleshooting on a device connected to a patient receiving critical medication.
• Patient safety takes priority over device evaluation.

2. Inspect the Entire Tubing Path

• Stop the infusion.
• Trace the tubing from cassette to patient.
• Look for:
  • Kinks or sharp bends
  • Tubing pinched under bed rails, clothing, or clamps
  • Closed slide clamps
  • Tight securement at the IV site
• Even minor kinks or tension can create enough back pressure to trigger an occlusion alarm.

3. Verify Proper Cassette Seating

• Remove the cassette.
• Inspect the cassette interface area.
• Confirm:
  • Tubing is correctly seated in the pressure channel
  • Cassette clicks fully into place
  • No misalignment or partial engagement
• Improper seating can cause inaccurate pressure detection.

4. Inspect the Pressure Plate and Channel

• Examine the pump’s pressure plate and cassette channel.
• Look for:
  • Dried medication residue
  • Debris or contamination
  • Warped or cracked pressure components
• Clean per facility policy if debris is present.
• Residue or physical distortion can cause false pressure readings.

5. Confirm Correct and Compatible Tubing

• Verify the cassette and tubing type match the therapy mode (continuous, PCA, intermittent).
• Confirm tubing is compatible with the CADD-Solis system.
• Check expiration date and physical condition.
• Worn, stiff, or incompatible tubing can increase resistance and trigger intermittent alarms.

6. Check Pump Orientation and Placement

• Ensure the pump is positioned according to manufacturer guidance.
• Avoid upside-down orientation.
• Confirm tubing runs freely without tension.
• Pressure sensors can react to mechanical stress if the pump or tubing is under strain.

7. Power Cycle the Pump

• Turn the pump off.
• Wait at least 10 seconds.
• Turn it back on.
• Reinstall cassette and tubing.
• Temporary sensor or logic irregularities may clear after a reboot.

8. Test with Known-Good Components

• Replace cassette and tubing with verified working components.
• Attempt infusion at the same programmed settings.
• If alarms stop:
  • → Original tubing or cassette likely defective.
• If alarms continue:
  • → Internal pressure sensor, pressure plate assembly, or logic issue is likely.

9. Observe Alarm Pattern

• Document:
  • Does the alarm occur immediately on start?
  • Only at higher flow rates?
  • Intermittently during steady infusion?
  • Does adjusting tubing temporarily clear it?
• Pattern recognition helps distinguish external resistance from internal sensing failure.

If Occlusion Alarms Persist

After:

• Verifying tubing path
• Inspecting and reseating cassette
• Confirming correct components
• Checking orientation
• Power cycling
• Testing with known-good tubing

Persistent alarms suggest likely internal pressure sensing or detection issues.

At this point:

• Remove the pump from clinical service
• Label the device Out of Service
• Send for Clinical Engineering bench evaluation or vendor repair

Knowing when to stop prevents unnecessary guesswork and protects patient care.

Clinical Use Tip

Do not perform occlusion troubleshooting on a pump delivering high-risk medications to an active patient.

Whenever possible:

• Transfer infusion to a confirmed working pump
• Then evaluate the suspect unit

Maintaining therapy continuity is more important than resolving the device issue in real time.

Work Order Documentation (CCR Method)

Complaint

What was reported by the clinical staff.

Example:

“Pump repeatedly alarming ‘Occlusion’ during infusion; tubing appears patent.”

Cause

What was observed during troubleshooting.

Example:

“Tubing inspected, no kinks noted. Cassette reseated. Pump power-cycled. Tested with known-good tubing and cassette. Occlusion alarm persisted. Suspect internal pressure sensor or pressure plate issue.”

OR

“Tubing found kinked under bed rail causing intermittent occlusion.”

Resolution

What action was taken.

Example:

• “Repositioned tubing; infusion resumed without alarms.”
• “Replaced defective cassette; pump functioning normally.”
• “Removed pump from service, labeled Out of Service, sent to CE bench for evaluation.”

Helpful Details to Include (If Known)

• Tubing path clear (yes/no)
• Cassette replaced (yes/no)
• Known-good tubing tested (yes/no)
• Pump orientation verified
• Alarm timing (immediate or during infusion)
• Flow rate at time of alarm
• Any visible residue or contamination
• Final disposition (returned to service or sent for repair)

Final Thought

Most occlusion alarms are caused by external resistance — kinks, tubing tension, cassette misalignment, or debris in the pressure channel. True internal sensor failures are less common but should be suspected after logical external causes are ruled out.

A structured approach protects patient safety, preserves therapy continuity, prevents unnecessary escalation, and ensures accurate documentation.

That is successful troubleshooting.