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What This Guide Helps With
This guide helps troubleshoot the high-priority Remote dose cord key stuck alarm on an ICU Medical CADD-Solis infusion pump. The remote dose cord allows the patient to request a PCA or PCEA dose when attached, so a stuck or unreliable button can affect patient-controlled dosing and pump operation.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting
Ensure Patient Safety First
- Do not troubleshoot the pump while it is actively being used on a patient unless clinical staff have confirmed it is safe.
- If the pump is being used for PCA, PCEA, or another patient-controlled therapy, notify clinical staff immediately.
- Have staff move the patient to a backup pump or approved alternate pain management method before removing or replacing accessories.
- Do not allow continued patient use if the remote dose cord button is stuck, unreliable, or repeatedly causing alarms.
Verify the Reported Alarm
- Confirm the pump displays Remote dose cord key stuck.
- Ask staff whether the alarm appeared immediately after connecting the remote dose cord, during patient use, after cleaning, or after the cord was moved.
- Check whether the alarm clears temporarily or returns immediately.
- Confirm whether the issue follows the remote dose cord or stays with the pump.
Inspect the Remote Dose Cord Button
- Check the patient dose button for physical damage, sticking, cracking, fluid contamination, or sluggish movement.
- Press and release the button several times while the pump is not in patient use.
- Confirm the button returns freely and does not remain partially pressed.
- If the button is stuck, intermittent, or unreliable, replace the remote dose cord.
Check the Remote Dose Cord Connection
- Inspect the connector for bent pins, debris, cracked housing, loose fit, or signs of fluid intrusion.
- Disconnect the remote dose cord carefully.
- Do not twist the connector when removing it.
- Reconnect the cord only if the connector and cord appear undamaged.
Test With a Known Good Remote Dose Cord
- Connect a known good remote dose cord if one is available.
- Confirm whether the alarm clears and the pump recognizes the replacement cord normally.
- If the alarm clears with the replacement cord, remove the original remote dose cord from service.
- If the alarm remains with a known good cord, remove the pump from service for further evaluation.
Check for Cleaning or Handling Damage
- Ask whether the alarm started after cleaning, transport, storage, or cord replacement.
- Look for signs that cleaning fluid entered the button or connector.
- Check whether the cord has been pinched, pulled, wrapped tightly, or damaged near the connector.
- Replace any remote dose cord with visible damage or questionable button response.
If the Problem Persists
If the remote dose cord has been inspected, the button is not physically stuck, the connector has been checked, and a known good remote dose cord does not clear the alarm, remove the pump from service. Label the device Out of Service and send it for repair or bench evaluation. External causes such as a stuck patient dose button, damaged remote dose cord, poor connection, and accessory failure should be ruled out before internal pump evaluation.
Clinical Use Tip
Never troubleshoot this alarm on an active patient without clinical approval. For PCA or PCEA therapy, move the patient to a backup pump or approved alternate therapy first, then evaluate the remote dose cord and pump outside active patient 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 pump displayed high-priority alarm: Remote dose cord key stuck during PCA setup."
Cause
What was observed during troubleshooting.
Example:
"Remote dose cord button was sticking and did not return reliably after being pressed. Pump alarm cleared when tested with known good remote dose cord."
Resolution
What action was taken.
Example:
"Removed faulty remote dose cord from service, installed replacement remote dose cord, verified alarm cleared, and returned pump to service after functional check."
Helpful Details to Include (If Known)
- Alarm behavior
- Accessories swapped
- Power behavior
- Environmental factors
- Indicator lights
- Final device status
Final Thought
A Remote dose cord key stuck alarm should be treated seriously because the remote dose cord is part of the patient-controlled dosing workflow. Start with patient safety, inspect the dose cord and button, replace questionable accessories, avoid twisting the connector during removal, and escalate the pump if the alarm does not clear with a known good cord.
That is successful troubleshooting.