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
Failure patterns typical of this equipment class - general BMET reference, not verified against this exact unit's own service history unless flagged. Severity is a category-level estimate.
Occlusion / downstream blockage
HighSymptoms: Occlusion alarm, no flow, upstream pressure high.
Root cause: Kinked set, clamped line, patient vein issue.
Air-in-line detection
MediumSymptoms: Air-in-line alarm, infusion paused.
Root cause: Air in set, improperly primed tubing.
Motor / drive failure
MediumSymptoms: Stalled infusion, inaccurate rate.
Root cause: Peristaltic motor or encoder wear.
Door / carriage sensor fault
LowSymptoms: Set not recognized, door-open error.
Root cause: Dirty or failed door microswitch.
Serviceable Parts & Consumables
The parts a BMET typically services on this class of equipment. Service class and relative cost are general engineering estimates for the category, not figures from this unit's documentation. Part numbers appear only when pulled from this unit's own service manual. Always confirm intervals and pricing against the manufacturer.
Peristaltic roller / pump mechanism
Common R&R on high-mileage pumps.
Class Periodic replacementRel. cost $$$R&R Difficult
Air detector / ultrasonic sensor
Class Periodic replacementRel. cost $$R&R Moderate
Door microswitch
Class Periodic replacementRel. cost $R&R Fairly easy
Occlusion sensor assembly
Class Periodic replacementRel. cost $$R&R Moderate
| Part | Service class | Relative cost | R&R difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peristaltic roller / pump mechanism Common R&R on high-mileage pumps. | Periodic replacement | $$$ | Difficult |
| Air detector / ultrasonic sensor | Periodic replacement | $$ | Moderate |
| Door microswitch | Periodic replacement | $ | Fairly easy |
| Occlusion sensor assembly | Periodic replacement | $$ | Moderate |
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 structured starting point derived from the failure modes above. Follow the manufacturer's service documentation for the actual procedure.
Symptom: Occlusion / downstream blockage
- Confirm the presentation - typically occlusion alarm, no flow, upstream pressure high - and note the exact alarm or message and the conditions when it occurs.
- Check the most likely cause first: kinked set, clamped line, patient vein issue.
- Isolate the affected subsystem using the manufacturer's functional check or self-test, where one is provided.
- If the fault is confirmed and not a field adjustment, service or replace the iV administration set per the manufacturer's service documentation.
- Return the device to service only after the manufacturer's functional and applicable electrical-safety checks pass.
- Record the findings, any parts used, and the verification results in the maintenance history.
Symptom: Air-in-line detection
- Confirm the presentation - typically air-in-line alarm, infusion paused - and note the exact alarm or message and the conditions when it occurs.
- Check the most likely cause first: air in set, improperly primed tubing.
- Isolate the affected subsystem using the manufacturer's functional check or self-test, where one is provided.
- If the fault is confirmed and not a field adjustment, service or replace the peristaltic roller / pump mechanism per the manufacturer's service documentation.
- Return the device to service only after the manufacturer's functional and applicable electrical-safety checks pass.
- Record the findings, any parts used, and the verification results in the maintenance history.
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.
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