There’s nothing worse than having students ready to learn about IV therapy and the infusion pump doesn’t work. Malfunctioning equipment is costly in terms of both money and time. Thankfully, regular cleaning and maintenance can help keep this from happening to you! In this blog, we will look at common infusion pump problems and how to create a maintenance plan to keep them from occurring. 

User interface problems

Repeated use can cause damage to the infusion pump keypad, especially when users have long fingernails. Over time, the print on the keys can be worn away, making them unreadable.  

Cleaning the pump with phenol-based disinfectants can cause the keypad and display screen to become discolored. Infusion pumps must be cleaned with a dampened cloth per the manufacturer’s instructions. Spray or aerosol cleaners can cause the keypad to pull away from the pump frame as seen in the image below. This causes the keys to become unresponsive so users are unable to change the rates or dosages for infusions.

Mechanical problems

Slight misalignment of IV tubing in the pump stresses the door and latch, and can cause cracks within the plastic casing as shown below. This is most common with tubing sets that have pump segments and cartridges. Damage to the door can cause the IV tubing to become displaced or occluded within the pump. Incorrect door alignment can also cause sensors to fail, leading to false alarms or unrestricted flow of fluid.  

Electrical problems

Infusion pump batteries can fail or overheat if they are exposed to fluid through small cracks in the plastic casing. This is another reason why disinfectant solutions should never be sprayed onto the pump. Batteries can also be damaged when they are stored for long periods of time without being recharged. Accordingly, infusion pumps should be plugged into AC power whenever possible to maximize battery capacity and run time. Frayed power cords require immediate repair to prevent users from receiving an electrical shock. 

Creating a maintenance plan

All healthcare training programs should have a medical equipment maintenance plan to keep their devices in good working order. This plan should include scheduled cleaning and disinfection as well as preventative maintenance by certified professionals. Indications that items should be removed from use and scheduled for service include:

• Equipment does not function as expected
• Unexplained alarms
• Damage or cracks in the casing
• Excessive exposure to water or fluids
• Pinched or frayed power cords
• Shortened battery life 

An area should be designated for items that are scheduled for repair so that they are not used accidentally. An electronic tracking system may be useful to keep track of which pumps are due for cleaning, repair or preventive maintenance. 

DiaMedical USA National Service Network

DiaMedical USA has a team of experienced biomedical technicians to provide on-site and depot repair services for all types of infusion pumps. They also perform preventative maintenance including electrical safety testing, calibration, and functional checks. As a final step, all pumps are cleaned and lubricated per manufacturer specifications. Various preventative maintenance packages are available with optional replacement batteries and warranties for parts and labor. Technicians can come to your facility for most infusion pumps but Alaris Medley pumps with the Educational Drug Library must be sent to a designated DiaMedical USA service center for service. 

Final thoughts

Just like all medical equipment, infusion pumps require regular maintenance in order to keep working safely. Cracked casings, loose keypads and frayed cords can put instructors and students at risk for injury. The DiaMedical USA National Service Network is ready to help all types of healthcare training programs maintain their infusion pumps. All equipment is tested, serviced and repaired to be fully compliant with the highest regulatory standards and ISO certification. Before calling for any type of service or preventative maintenance, please have the make and model of each infusion pump ready. This will enable the team to provide you with an accurate quote, especially for the Alaris Medley system. For more information, reach out to a DiaMedical USA expert at 877-593-6011 or info@diamedicalusa.com.