Hospira PCA3
Hospira · Model PCA3
Integrated bar code reader confirms drug and concentration Pre-filled, bar-coded medication vials with colored labels or custom-filled vials with pharmacy-generated bar codes Confirmation screens to add an extra level of safety Robust wireless capabilities enable remote drug library updates Easy-to-read keypad Dedicated device and unique design – the LifeCare PCA is intentionally designed to stand out from general infusion devices to help reduce the risk of user confusion and line mix-ups Key driven locking system adds security on several levels Pole clamp locks to the IV pole Medication door lock Programming lock-out.
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
Error Codes
Extracted directly from this unit's own service manual.
170Interrupt failure
Contact Hospira
171Invalid or unused interrupt
Contact Hospira
172RAM error
Contact Hospira
173Periodic task or interrupt stopped running
Contact Hospira
174Kernel failure
Contact Hospira
175MCU fails to strobe the watchdog within its timeout period
Verify jumper on pins 5 and 6 of JP1 on MCU PWA; Contact Hospira
176Timer message has been unsuccessfully cancelled
Contact Hospira
200Motor is running faster than expected
Contact Hospira
201Motor is running slower than expected
Contact Hospira
202Motor is running without permission
Contact Hospira
203Rate is greater than the maximum rate
Contact Hospira
204Unexpected mode
Contact Hospira
205Motor step time out of range
Contact Hospira
206Unexpected rate
Contact Hospira
207Volume infused out of range
Contact Hospira
310Two readings outside the range of 4.7 V - 5.3 V
Replace power supply PWA (see Section 7.3.9.4)
311Lithium battery voltage below acceptable minimum value
Verify lithium battery connection; Replace lithium battery (see Section 7.3.8.10.5)
313Battery charge current exceeded limit
Verify battery connections; Replace battery (see Section 7.3.6)
480Failed CRC of pump configuration data
For each malfunction, press [CLEAR] then [ON/OFF] to power off, then [ON/OFF] to power on; continue until all malfunctions are cleared; Verify lithium battery connections; Verify infuser is connected to AC power; Replace lithium battery (see Section 7.3.8.10.5); Replace battery (see Section 7.3.6); If malfunction cannot be cleared, contact Hospira
481Failed CRC of infusion data
Contact Hospira
482Failed CRC of program data
Contact Hospira
483Failed checksum at startup or during operation
Contact Hospira
484Failed CRC of stored protocols
Contact Hospira
485Invalid rate or restart; Bad states or events in motor software
Contact Hospira
486History data corrupted
Contact Hospira
487Failed CRC of motor data
Contact Hospira
488Failed CRC of drug table data
Contact Hospira
489Failed CRC of saved user interface data
Press [ON/OFF] to power off, then [ON/OFF] to power on; Contact Hospira
490Failed error log checksum
Contact Hospira
491Inconsistent background data
Contact Hospira
492Corrupted switch data
Contact Hospira
493Data in RAM does not match data in FLASH
Replace lithium battery (see Section 7.3.8.10.5); Contact Hospira
494User interface state ID out of range
Contact Hospira
495Invalid display data
Replace LCD assembly (see Section 7.3.8.10.2); Contact Hospira
496Failed CRC of vial manager data
Contact Hospira
497Failed CRC of battery charging data
Contact Hospira
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: Alarm with an error message / code, delivery stopped
- Note the exact error message or code from the display.
- Look it up in the pump's technical service manual troubleshooting section.
- Run the biomed diagnostics / service utilities to exercise the named subsystem (motor / drive, a sensor, set-detection, a board).
- Follow the manual's parts-replacement procedure for that fault.
- Run the full scheduled-maintenance test set, including a flow-accuracy check, after any repair.
Symptom: Occlusion alarm / pressure fault (or a missed occlusion)
- Check the line for kinks, closed clamps and a closed roller clamp; check the patient site and cannula.
- Reload the administration set correctly, clearing all air.
- Confirm the set is an approved type for this pump.
- Run the pressure-sensor / force-sensor test in the service menu.
- Replace the set; refer the pump if the pressure sensor or pumping mechanism is indicated.
Symptom: Air-in-line alarm / free-flow or feed not delivering
- Prime the set fully and reload it; tap out micro-bubbles at the drip chamber.
- Confirm the set seats correctly against the air-in-line detector / rotor.
- Clean the ultrasonic air-detector window.
- Run the air-detector (or rotor / cassette) test in diagnostics.
- Replace a worn pumping mechanism / anti-free-flow assembly if flow accuracy or detection is out.
Symptom: Battery will not hold charge / short run time
- Fully charge, then run a battery run-down / capacity test in the service menu.
- Check the charging circuit and contacts.
- Replace the battery pack when capacity is below the service limit.
- Recalibrate the battery gauge if the pump supports it.
- Confirm run time meets spec after replacement.
Technical Specs
- Height
- 13 in
- Length
- 6 in
- Weight
- 10 lbs
- Infusion Pump Type
- General-Purpose
- Width
- 8 in
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
Safety & Recalls
Synced live from the FDA openFDA API.
- RECALL
Incorrect values for dosage, dose limit, concentration or rate of delivery may display on screen.
Related calculators
From BioLab, for work done with this kind of equipment.
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