On this page
Asset Type
Manufacturer
Model
What This Guide Helps With
This guide helps troubleshoot the Upstream occlusion alarm on the ICU Medical CADD-Solis infusion pump. The manual lists upstream occlusion as a high-priority alarm. This condition means the pump detected, or is configured to detect, a restriction in the fluid path before the pump.
An upstream occlusion can interrupt medication delivery, delay therapy, or indicate a problem with the reservoir, cassette, tubing, clamps, or fluid path. The upstream occlusion sensor can be turned on or off, and the manual notes it is automatically disabled when medication cassette reservoirs are used.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting
Ensure Patient Safety First
- Do not troubleshoot the pump while it is actively delivering medication to a patient if delivery may be unsafe or interrupted.
- Notify clinical staff and have the patient moved to a backup pump or alternate approved delivery method if therapy must continue.
- Follow facility policy for high-priority infusion pump alarms and medication delivery interruptions.
- Confirm the medication order, infusion status, and patient condition are managed by clinical staff before continuing equipment checks.
Verify the Alarm Message
- Confirm the pump displays Upstream occlusion.
- Ask staff when the alarm occurred, such as during startup, after cassette installation, after transport, after reservoir change, or during infusion.
- Check whether the alarm repeats immediately after being cleared or only occurs during certain setups.
- Confirm whether a medication cassette reservoir is being used, since the upstream occlusion sensor is automatically disabled when medication cassette reservoirs are used.
Check the Reservoir
- Inspect the reservoir for low volume, empty condition, collapse, or improper setup.
- Confirm the reservoir is appropriate for the therapy and installed according to facility procedure.
- Look for signs that the reservoir is not venting or feeding correctly, if applicable to the setup.
- Replace or correct the reservoir setup if it appears empty, restricted, damaged, or improperly connected.
Inspect the Cassette and Connection Area
- Confirm the cassette is fully seated, latched, and correctly installed on the pump.
- Check for misalignment, damage, fluid leakage, or tubing pinched near the cassette.
- Remove and reinstall the cassette if facility procedure allows and the pump is not connected to an active patient.
- Use a known-good cassette or administration set if the original disposable appears damaged or questionable.
Check Upstream Tubing and Clamps
- Trace the fluid path from the reservoir to the pump.
- Look for closed clamps, kinked tubing, pinched tubing, tight bends, or tubing trapped under equipment or bedding.
- Correct any restriction found before restarting therapy.
- Confirm tubing is routed cleanly with no tension, compression, or sharp bends.
Check for Upstream Fluid Path Restrictions
- Inspect the upstream fluid path for blockage, crystallized medication, debris, or setup-related restriction.
- Confirm the disposable set is not expired, damaged, incorrectly primed, or incompatible with the setup.
- Prime or replace the disposable set according to facility procedure if air, blockage, or questionable flow is found.
- Do not force fluid through a restricted line while connected to a patient.
Confirm Alarm Behavior After External Corrections
- After correcting the reservoir, cassette, tubing, clamp, or upstream restriction, restart according to facility policy.
- Observe whether the alarm clears and whether the pump resumes normal operation.
- If the alarm returns with a known-good disposable setup, remove the pump from service for further evaluation.
- Document whether the issue followed the disposable set or stayed with the pump.
If the Problem Persists
If the Upstream occlusion alarm continues after the reservoir, cassette, upstream tubing, clamps, and fluid path have been checked or corrected, external causes have been ruled out as much as practical.
Remove the device from service, label it Out of Service, and send it for repair or bench evaluation. Do not return the pump to clinical use until the alarm condition has been evaluated and normal operation is confirmed.
Clinical Use Tip
Never troubleshoot an infusion pump alarm on an active patient when medication delivery may be unsafe. Move the patient to a backup pump or alternate approved delivery method first, then troubleshoot the CADD-Solis pump after patient care is protected.
Work Order Documentation (CCR Method)
CCR = Complaint, Cause, Resolution
Complaint
What was reported by the clinical staff.
Example:
"ICU Medical CADD-Solis pump reported Upstream occlusion alarm during infusion setup and would not continue normal operation."
Cause
What was observed during troubleshooting.
Example:
"Found upstream clamp closed on administration set before pump. Reservoir, cassette, and tubing inspected for restriction."
Resolution
What action was taken.
Example:
"Opened clamp, corrected tubing path, verified disposable setup, and confirmed Upstream occlusion alarm cleared during functional check. Pump returned to service."
Helpful Details to Include (If Known)
- Alarm behavior
- Accessories swapped
- Power behavior
- Environmental factors
- Indicator lights
- Final device status
Final Thought
An upstream occlusion alarm should be handled with patient safety first, then simple external checks before repair escalation. Most causes involve the reservoir, cassette, tubing, clamps, or fluid path before the pump. If those checks do not resolve the alarm, remove the pump from service and document the complaint, cause, and resolution clearly.
That is successful troubleshooting.