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What This Guide Helps With
This guide assists Clinical Engineering in troubleshooting air-in-line alarms on an ICU Medical Plum 360 infusion pump. These alarms occur when the pump detects air in the fluid path, which could be due to air bubbles in the syringe/line, improper priming, or loose connections. Early recognition and correction are critical to prevent air embolism risks to patients.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting
Ensure Patient Safety First
- Disconnect the pump from the patient if safe and transfer infusion to another device if necessary.
- Air-in-line alarms should never be ignored while connected to a patient.
Check the Infusion Bag or Syringe
- Inspect for visible air bubbles.
- Remove any large bubbles by proper priming or expelling air.
- Ensure the fluid bag or syringe is properly seated in the pump.
Inspect the Tubing and Connections
- Verify that all connections are tight and fully inserted.
- Check for any loose luer locks, connectors, or drip chamber issues.
- Look for tubing kinks that might trap air.
Prime the Line Correctly
- Follow standard priming procedure to remove residual air from the tubing.
- Confirm that the air sensor clears before reconnecting to the patient.
Examine the Pump Air Sensor
- Inspect the fluid path for obstructions that might trigger false air-in-line alarms.
- Clean or replace disposable fluid paths if contamination or damage is suspected.
Power Cycle the Pump
- Turn the pump off, wait 10–15 seconds, and power back on to reset alarms.
Reconnect and Test
- Reconnect the primed line to the patient and confirm the alarm does not recur.
If the Problem Persists
If the alarm continues after proper priming, tubing replacement, and inspection:
- The pump’s air-in-line sensor may be faulty.
- Remove the device from service.
- Label as “Out of Service” and send for repair or bench evaluation.
- Stopping at this point prevents unnecessary risk to the patient.
Clinical Use Tip
- Never attempt to clear air-in-line alarms while the pump is actively infusing into a patient.
- Always maintain a secondary infusion plan or device ready to prevent interruption in therapy.
Work Order Documentation (CCR Method)
CCR = Complaint, Cause, Resolution
Complaint
What was reported by the clinical staff.
Example:
“Pump repeatedly alarms “Air-in-Line” despite infusion in progress.”
Cause
What was observed during troubleshooting.
Example:
“Air bubbles detected in the tubing; connections loose; fluid path not properly primed.”
Resolution
What action was taken.
Example:
“Line primed properly, tubing replaced, connections secured; alarm cleared. If unresolved, device removed from service.”
Helpful Details to Include
- Outlet and battery status checked
- Tubing type and batch (if reusable/disposable)
- Fluid bag or syringe lot and priming method
- Air sensor behavior (intermittent vs. constant)
- Final device status: operational or sent for repair
Final Thought
Clinical Engineering troubleshooting emphasizes patient safety, logical inspection of external causes, and knowing when to escalate to repair. Proper documentation using CCR ensures clarity and accountability for every intervention.
That is successful troubleshooting.