Medtronic Capnostream 20p

Asset Type

Capnography Monitor

Manufacturer

Medtronic

Model

Capnostream 20p

What This Guide Helps With

This guide helps troubleshoot the PULSE NOT FOUND alarm on the Medtronic Capnostream 20p capnography monitor. This alarm indicates that the monitor cannot detect a pulse from the SpO2/pulse monitoring function. Because this may reflect a real patient condition, poor sensor placement, poor perfusion, motion artifact, a bad sensor, a cable issue, or a monitor-side fault, patient safety must be confirmed before treating this as an equipment problem.

Step-by-Step Troubleshooting

Ensure Patient Safety First

• Treat the PULSE NOT FOUND alarm as a possible patient condition until clinical staff confirms otherwise.
• Have clinical staff immediately assess the patient’s pulse, perfusion, respiratory status, skin color, and overall condition.
• Do not assume the monitor or sensor is the problem until the patient is confirmed stable.
• If pulse monitoring is unreliable, move the patient to another approved monitor or pulse oximeter before continuing equipment troubleshooting.

Verify the Reported Alarm

• Confirm that the Capnostream 20p is displaying PULSE NOT FOUND.
• Ask staff when the alarm occurs: continuously, intermittently, after patient movement, after sensor placement, or only with a specific sensor or patient.
• Check whether other monitored values are normal, missing, or unstable.

Reposition the SpO2/Pulse Sensor

• Remove and reapply the sensor according to proper placement practice.
• Make sure the sensor is aligned correctly and has good contact with the patient.
• Confirm the sensor is not too loose, too tight, folded, slipping, or placed over an unsuitable site.
• Allow the monitor time to reacquire a stable pulse signal.

Check the Patient Site and Signal Quality

• Ask clinical staff about low perfusion, cold extremities, edema, tremors, excessive movement, nail polish, artificial nails, or other site-related issues.
• Try another clinically appropriate sensor site if allowed by facility policy and the patient condition.
• Reduce avoidable movement during testing.

Inspect the Sensor and Cable Connection

• Confirm the SpO2 sensor is fully connected to the monitor or extension cable.
• Inspect the sensor, connector, and cable for damage, loose connection, bent pins, contamination, strain, or intermittent connection.
• Check whether the cable is being pulled, pinched, twisted, or routed where it can be disturbed.

Swap the Sensor or Accessory

• Replace the sensor with a known-good compatible sensor.
• If an extension cable is being used, remove it if appropriate or test with a known-good compatible cable.
• If the alarm clears with a replacement sensor or cable, remove the failed accessory from use according to facility procedure.

Compare With Another Monitor if Needed

• If the patient is stable but the alarm continues, compare the reading with another approved monitor or pulse oximeter using known-good accessories.
• If the issue follows the patient or sensor site, continue clinical or accessory troubleshooting.
• If the issue stays with the Capnostream 20p after known-good accessories are used, suspect a device-side SpO2/pulse detection issue.

Confirm Stable Operation Before Return to Use

• Verify that the PULSE NOT FOUND alarm clears.
• Confirm a stable pulse reading and acceptable signal behavior.
• Confirm that the monitor operates normally with known-good compatible accessories before returning it to service.

If the Problem Persists

If patient condition has been assessed, sensor placement has been corrected, the sensor site has been checked, known-good compatible accessories have been tested, and the PULSE NOT FOUND alarm remains, remove the Capnostream 20p from service.

Label the device Out of Service and send it for repair or bench evaluation. Persistent pulse detection failure after external causes are ruled out may indicate a SpO2 input, accessory interface, or internal monitoring fault.

Clinical Use Tip

Never troubleshoot this alarm on an active patient while reliable monitoring is still needed. Move the patient to a backup monitor or approved pulse oximeter first, then troubleshoot the Capnostream 20p only after the patient is safe and monitoring has been restored.

Work Order Documentation (CCR Method)

CCR = Complaint, Cause, Resolution

Complaint

What was reported by the clinical staff.

Example:
"Capnostream 20p displayed PULSE NOT FOUND alarm and staff reported no detectable pulse reading from the SpO2/pulse sensor."

Cause

What was observed during troubleshooting.

Example:
"Patient safety confirmed by clinical staff. Sensor placement, patient site, cable connection, and accessory condition were checked. Alarm cleared after SpO2 sensor was repositioned/replaced."

Resolution

What action was taken.

Example:
"Repositioned SpO2 sensor, inspected cable connection, and tested with known-good compatible accessory. Verified stable pulse detection and returned monitor to service."

Helpful Details to Include (If Known)

• Alarm behavior
• Accessories swapped
• Power behavior
• Environmental factors
• Indicator lights
• Final device status

Final Thought

The PULSE NOT FOUND alarm must be handled as a patient safety concern first and an equipment issue second. Confirm the patient is safe, restore reliable monitoring, then work through sensor placement, patient site, cable connection, accessory condition, and comparison testing before escalating the monitor for repair. Clear CCR documentation shows what was checked, what corrected the problem, and whether the device was safe to return to service.

That is successful troubleshooting.