Hospira LifeCare PCA 2
Hospira · Model LifeCare PCA 2
Abbott Lifecare PCA 2 4100 Infusion Pump IV.
Key tips
- ·Free-flow protection must be verified on every PM - a failed anti-free-flow clamp is a direct overdose risk.
- ·Test occlusion alarms in both directions - failing to alarm when it should is more dangerous than a false alarm.
- ·Battery run-time complaints are the most common real-world nuisance call - a full charge/discharge cycle test catches most of them.
Typical Failure Modes
Compiled for this model from its own documentation and established engineering knowledge for this equipment class - not from a verified service record. Confirm against the manufacturer's service manual.
Failure / error message stops delivery
HighSymptoms: The pump alarms and displays an error message / code and stops.
Root cause: A subsystem fault indexed in the service manual - motor / drive, a sensor, set-detection, or a board.
Occlusion alarm / pressure fault
MediumSymptoms: Repeated occlusion alarms, delivery stops, or an occlusion is missed.
Root cause: Kinked or clamped line, a closed roller clamp, a positional patient tube, pressure-sensor drift, or an improperly loaded set.
Air-in-line alarm
MediumSymptoms: Frequent air-in-line alarms, delivery stops.
Root cause: Air in the set, an improperly loaded set, or an ultrasonic air-detector fault.
Flow-rate accuracy drift
MediumSymptoms: Delivered volume outside tolerance on the annual test, especially at low rates.
Root cause: Worn pumping mechanism / plunger drive.
Battery will not hold charge
MediumSymptoms: Short run time, low-battery early after a full charge.
Root cause: Aged battery pack.
Door / plunger / sensor mechanical wear
LowSymptoms: Set will not load, door will not latch, plunger grip poor.
Root cause: Worn door latch, plunger jaws, or anti-free-flow mechanism.
Serviceable Parts & Consumables
Serviceable items for this model, compiled from its documentation and engineering knowledge for this equipment class. Service class and relative cost are estimates, not manufacturer figures; no part numbers are given. Confirm intervals and pricing against the manufacturer.
Battery pack
Class Periodic replacementRel. cost $$R&R Fairly easy
Pumping mechanism / rotor / plunger drive
Class Major service partRel. cost $$$R&R Difficult
Pressure / air-detector sensor assembly
Class Major service partRel. cost $$R&R Moderate
Door / latch / anti-free-flow assembly
Class Major service partRel. cost $$R&R Moderate
Drive motor / gearbox
Class Major service partRel. cost $$$R&R Difficult
| Part | Service class | Relative cost | R&R difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Battery pack | Periodic replacement | $$ | Fairly easy |
| Pumping mechanism / rotor / plunger drive | Major service part | $$$ | Difficult |
| Pressure / air-detector sensor assembly | Major service part | $$ | Moderate |
| Door / latch / anti-free-flow assembly | Major service part | $$ | Moderate |
| Drive motor / gearbox | Major service part | $$$ | Difficult |
Relative cost: $ lowest · $$$$ highest service-part cost for this equipment class. Not a price.
PM Checklist
Preventive-maintenance tasks typical of this equipment class. Perform to the manufacturer's procedure and your facility's policy - this is general reference, not a schedule for this specific unit.
- ·Occlusion pressure and flow-rate accuracy verification
- ·Battery conditioning cycle
- ·Door latch and air-in-line sensor inspection
- ·Post-drop functional check before return to service
- ·Annual PM per manufacturer schedule
Troubleshooting Approach
A starting sequence for this model, compiled from its documentation and engineering knowledge for this equipment class. Follow the manufacturer's service documentation for the actual procedure.
Symptom: Error message or code
- Note the exact error message / code.
- Look it up in the pump's technical service manual troubleshooting section.
- Use the biomed diagnostics / utilities to test the affected subsystem.
- Follow the manual's parts-replacement procedure.
- Run the scheduled-maintenance test set (including flow accuracy) after any repair.
Symptom: Occlusion or delivery problem
- Check the line for kinks, clamps and a closed roller clamp; check the patient site.
- Reload the set correctly, clearing all air.
- Confirm an approved set for this pump.
- Run the pressure / air-detector (or rotor) test in diagnostics.
- Replace the set; refer the pump if a sensor / mechanism fault is indicated.
Typical Location
Where this class of equipment is typically deployed - general reference, not this unit's own placement record.
- Patient care floors
- ICU
- OR
- Oncology / infusion centers
- Home health (portable pumps)
Documents & Manuals
No documents available for this device yet.
Safety & Recalls
Synced live from the FDA openFDA API.
- RECALL
Hospira has received reports of PCA pumps not detecting distal occlusions, one of which resulted in a serious injury. The issue is caused by normal wear and tear on the Half Nut (the component/nut that travels up and down the lead screw) which prevents it from properly detecting the pressure build-up associated with a distal occlusion.
- RECALL
Screw rotation error occurring when the pump detects a mismatch between the number of steps given to the motor driving delivery and the number of steps the motor actually took. When this malfunction occurs, the pump will alarm and infusion stops.
- RECALL
The infusion pump has a clear plastic door that, due to its design, allows for excessive flexing. This in turn permits unauthorized access to the vial of medication.
- RECALL
Reports of leaking during filling and administration.
- RECALL
Fire/Shock hazard-- A component used in the device may cause sparks/flashes and poses a fire and shock hazard.
- RECALL
Incorrect dosage labels created: Customers have experienced independent changes in drug concentration (mg/mL to mcg/mL and vice versa) and expiration dates, and the addition of trailing zeros to the barcodes.
Related calculators
From BioLab, for work done with this kind of equipment.
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