EBME Forums Forums Maintenance Technical Assistance Baxter colleague low occlusion pressure

Hi,

As a relative newbie to both this forum and the EBME game, may I apologise if this has been covered.

I tried using the search which returned too many threads - wishing to refine my search I tried the advanced option which returned 0 - even when my search string had been reduced to just "Baxter"

Anyway - I digress....

My problem is as follows, I have been tasked with relicencing the Baxters, our procedure states a pass occlusion pressure of 400-650 mmHg when set at maximum.

The results tend towards the low end of the scale on all tests and I've shown discretion with a few at 380 - 390 but I've just had a couple at 360 and one at 330, Typically occluding in just over 2 mins.

I'm normally testing on a IDA-1 and have even swapped to a Metron to eliminate the potential for faulty test kit.

Is there an issue with our test levels/expectations or am I looking at a lot of pump head replacements? Are they adjustable?

Have you selected the highest occlusion settings from the menu and tried using a pressure gauge...?

Thats how i do it...

What rate are you using?

Lee

Thank you for your replies,

I am selecting the hightest occlusion setting on the Baxter pumps (Maximum) and testing at a 10ml/hr rate.

The Metron Infusion Pump Tester and the IDA-1 are (I believe)pressure gauges and I have no reason to doubt the accuracy of both units.
They are also used for other manufacturer's pumps and return expected results within specs.

Do my test requirements and settings seem acceptable.

While you're waiting for a response from one of the Learned Brethren, Reg ... you might like to run your eye over this earlier thread (whilst you're enjoying your sandwiches?).

Thank you for that info.

By way of additional information, batteries are replaced and charged prior to testing and rates typically come out with maximum +/- 0.2ml/hr deviation from the set rate of 10ml/hr

Oh and as it's a Friday, no sandwiches, full english and a brief liquid therapy session during dinnertime and before you ask; no, the Baxter's that I have issue with are not the ones tested on a Friday afternoon.

Sounds like you've got it "made in the shade" there, Reg. Good Man.

Your method of testing the occlusion for the Baxter Colleague does not appear to relate to anything recomended by Baxter in their service manual.

The recomended method is to test the occlusion at:
Minimum at 20ml/hr - limits 0.29 to 4.79 PSI
Minimum at 100 ml/hr - limits 1.52 to 7.83 PSI
Moderate at 100 ml/hr - limits 4.24 to 12.83 PSI
Maximum at 100 ml/hr - limits 6.96 to 17.84 PSI

As you can see the limits are quite wide.

Might be a good idea to check your test methods against the manufactures recomedations in the latest service manual.

We have 455 of these pumps.

No liquid therapy at our trust, even thinking about it is not allowed.

Hope the above is of use.

thanks for the info.

I'm working again with the pump that initially tested at 330mm/hg.
The first test alarmed at 405mm/hg - a pass. A repetition of the test returned another 405mm/hg alarm.
It was not a case of third time lucky as it returned a below par 360mm/hg and the fourth test gave 305mm/hg.
We have some spankers Baxters due in next week, they will be tested throughly by way of comparison.

No liquid therapy? How do you cope without coffee?

Thanks again for your help.

Before you shoot off for your lunch, Reg, I would take a close look at the sets you are using. Perhaps you're not the only one in need of "refreshment"!