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What This Guide Helps With
This guide helps troubleshoot a Pressure sensor faulty alarm on the ICU Medical CADD-Solis infusion pump. The manual lists this as a high-priority alarm. The pump uses occlusion sensors in the pumping mechanism to detect pressure-related conditions, so a pressure sensor fault may affect the pump's ability to reliably monitor pressure or detect occlusion-related issues.
This alarm should be treated seriously because pressure monitoring is part of safe infusion delivery. If the alarm persists after basic external checks, the pump should be removed from service and sent for repair or bench evaluation.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting
Ensure Patient Safety First
- Do not continue using the pump on a patient with an active or recurring high-priority pressure sensor fault.
- Have clinical staff transfer the infusion to a backup pump if therapy needs to continue.
- Follow facility policy for medication, line, and pump changeover safety.
- Do not attempt to troubleshoot the pumping mechanism while the pump is actively delivering therapy to a patient.
Verify the Reported Alarm
- Confirm the display shows: Pressure sensor faulty.
- Ask staff when the alarm occurred, such as during startup, cassette loading, infusion start, or active delivery.
- Check whether the alarm clears temporarily or immediately returns.
- Note whether the pump was recently dropped, cleaned, exposed to fluid, or had cassette loading issues.
Check the Cassette and Tubing Setup
- Stop use of the pump before handling the cassette or tubing.
- Verify the cassette is properly seated and latched according to facility procedure.
- Inspect the tubing set for kinks, clamping, stretching, incorrect routing, or visible damage.
- Confirm the medication container, tubing, and cassette are compatible with the pump setup being used.
Inspect the Pumping Mechanism Area
- Open the cassette area according to normal user-accessible procedure.
- Inspect around the pressure plate and pumping mechanism area for debris, residue, sticky medication, broken plastic, or visible contamination.
- Look for signs of physical damage near the pressure plate or cassette interface.
- Clean only external/user-accessible areas using approved facility and manufacturer cleaning methods.
- Do not disassemble the pump or attempt internal pressure sensor repair.
Power Cycle and Recheck
- Remove the pump from patient use before power cycling.
- Power the pump off and back on according to normal operating procedure.
- Recheck whether the Pressure sensor faulty alarm returns.
- If the alarm returns, treat the issue as a persistent sensor or pumping mechanism fault.
Check for Obvious External Damage
- Inspect the pump housing for cracks, fluid intrusion, missing pieces, or impact damage.
- Check the cassette latch area for looseness, broken latch parts, or misalignment.
- Look for contamination that may interfere with cassette seating or pressure sensor contact.
- If damage is found, remove the pump from service.
If the Problem Persists
If the alarm persists after cassette setup, tubing, debris, contamination, and visible external damage have been checked, remove the pump from service. External causes have been ruled out, and the pump may have a pressure sensor, pumping mechanism, or related internal fault.
Label the pump Out of Service and send it for repair or bench evaluation. Service or repair must be performed by Smiths Medical, ICU Medical, or an authorized service agent according to facility policy.
Clinical Use Tip
Never troubleshoot this alarm on an active patient. A Pressure sensor faulty alarm may affect pressure or occlusion detection. Move the patient therapy to a backup pump first, then evaluate the affected pump only after it is safe to remove from clinical use.
Work Order Documentation (CCR Method)
CCR = Complaint, Cause, Resolution
Complaint
What was reported by the clinical staff.
Example:
"Staff reported ICU Medical CADD-Solis infusion pump displayed high-priority alarm: Pressure sensor faulty."
Cause
What was observed during troubleshooting.
Example:
"Verified Pressure sensor faulty alarm. Inspected cassette seating, tubing setup, pressure plate area, pumping mechanism area, and exterior housing. No user-correctable external cause found."
Resolution
What action was taken.
Example:
"Removed pump from service, labeled Out of Service, and sent for authorized repair/bench evaluation due to persistent pressure sensor fault."
Helpful Details to Include (If Known)
- Alarm behavior
- Accessories swapped
- Power behavior
- Environmental factors
- Indicator lights
- Final device status
Final Thought
A high-priority pressure sensor alarm on an infusion pump is not something to work around. Confirm the setup, check for debris or visible damage, rule out external causes, then remove the pump from service if the alarm persists. Safe escalation and clear CCR documentation protect the patient, the clinical team, and the technician.
That is successful troubleshooting.