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IV Therapy Equipment Troubleshooting & Maintenance Tips

Q: What does an "occlusion" alarm on my infusion pump mean?

An occlusion alarm indicates the pump detects resistance to flow in the infusion line — it cannot push the medication through at the programmed rate. Causes include: a kinked or clamped IV line, a blood clot (thrombus) in the catheter, the catheter tip pressing against a vessel wall, or a clamp accidentally left closed. Check the entire tubing path from pump to insertion site for kinks, closed clamps, or tight bends. If the line remains occluded after correcting obvious causes, contact your home infusion nurse or pharmacy — do not attempt to force flush a resistant line.

Q: My PICC line dressing is loose or wet. What should I do?

A PICC line dressing that is loose, wet, or soiled must be changed promptly — typically within the same day. A compromised dressing dramatically increases infection risk (catheter-related bloodstream infection, or CLABSI). Contact your home infusion nurse for an emergency dressing change visit. Do not attempt to re-tape or partially reseal a loose dressing without proper sterile technique. Document when the dressing changed and report to your nurse.

Q: How often should I flush my PICC line?

PICC lines should be flushed before and after each infusion with normal saline (NS) to clear the line and confirm patency, followed by a heparin or saline lock flush per the protocol specified by your home infusion pharmacist or nurse. Between infusions, most PICC lines are flushed once daily with normal saline (and heparin lock if prescribed). Your specific flushing protocol will be taught during training — never deviate from the prescribed protocol without nursing guidance.

Q: What are the signs of a PICC line infection (CLABSI)?

Signs of catheter-related bloodstream infection (CLABSI) include: fever (>38°C/100.4°F), chills, or shaking; redness, warmth, swelling, or pus at the PICC insertion site; unusual pain along the line path; confusion or altered mental status in older adults. CLABSI is a medical emergency — go to the emergency room or call 911 immediately. Do not attempt to treat a suspected CLABSI at home.

Q: My infusion pump battery died in the middle of an infusion. What do I do?

Connect the pump to AC power immediately. Most pumps continue functioning on AC power while charging. If the infusion paused during the battery failure, restart it according to your training once the pump has power. Do not attempt to manually push medication. Contact your home infusion pharmacy or nurse to report the battery failure and confirm that the missed infusion volume and timing are accounted for in your treatment plan. Always keep a backup charged battery if your pump uses removable battery packs.

Updated April 2026

Safe home infusion requires mastery of pump operation, PICC line care, infection prevention, and emergency response. This guide covers the essential daily practices and troubleshooting steps that keep home IV therapy running safely and effectively.

Daily PICC Line / Port Care Routine

Meticulous line care prevents catheter-related infections, the most serious complication of home infusion therapy:

Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water for 20 seconds before any line access
Inspect the insertion site at each dressing change: no redness, warmth, drainage, or swelling
Inspect the dressing: intact, dry, securely adhering on all edges
Change dressings per prescribed schedule (typically every 5–7 days for transparent semi-permeable dressings; immediately when soiled)
Scrub hub connectors with an alcohol swab for 15 seconds (the "scrub the hub" technique) before accessing the line
Flush the line before and after each infusion per the prescribed protocol
Cap the line with a sterile cap when not in use

Never share IV supplies, needles, or syringes with another person. Never reuse single-use supplies. Cross-contamination from shared or reused supplies can cause severe bloodstream infections.

Infusion Pump Alarm Guide

Alarm Type	Meaning	First Response
Occlusion / Blocked Line	Flow resistance too high	Check all tubing for kinks, closed clamps; inspect insertion site
Air in Line	Air bubble detected in tubing	Prime tubing per training; call nurse if alarm persists
Low Battery	Battery below threshold	Connect to AC power; replace battery if removable
Infusion Complete	Programmed volume delivered	Follow end-of-infusion protocol; flush and cap line
Door Open / Cassette Error	Pump door or cassette not seated	Reseat cassette; close pump door firmly
High Pressure	Resistance spike in line	Check for kinks; assess insertion site; call nurse
Empty Bag / Low Volume	Medication bag nearly empty	Replace bag per training; prime new tubing segment

Supply Management at Home

Store IV supplies in a clean, cool, dry location — away from direct sunlight (UV degrades some drugs)
Keep medications refrigerated as directed; allow to reach room temperature before infusing (per pharmacy instructions)
Rotate stock — use supplies delivered first before newer deliveries
Check expiration dates on all supplies before use — expired supplies must be discarded
Keep a running inventory and notify your home infusion pharmacy at least 2–3 days before running out
Dispose of used needles, syringes, and sharps in an FDA-cleared sharps container
Never dispose of unused medications in household trash or flush down the drain

Frequently Asked Questions

What does an "occlusion" alarm on my infusion pump mean?

My PICC line dressing is loose or wet. What should I do?

How often should I flush my PICC line?

What are the signs of a PICC line infection (CLABSI)?

My infusion pump battery died in the middle of an infusion. What do I do?

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