Kangaroo Feeding Pump Manual: A Comprehensive Guide
This manual provides essential instructions for the Kangaroo Joey, ePump, and OMNI enteral feeding pumps, covering setup, operation, troubleshooting, and safety precautions for optimal patient care․
Kangaroo Enteral Feeding Pumps are widely utilized in healthcare settings and increasingly in home care environments to deliver liquid nutrition directly to a patient’s digestive system․ These pumps, including models like the Joey, ePump, and OMNI, offer precise and controlled delivery of formula and medications․
They are designed for individuals unable to consume adequate nutrition orally, ensuring consistent nutrient intake․ Proper training is crucial for both healthcare professionals and lay operators, especially in home care, emphasizing safety and pump performance monitoring․ Regular contact with Customer Service is recommended for any performance changes․

Understanding Enteral Feeding & Pump Purpose
Enteral feeding is a method of providing nutrition directly into the gastrointestinal tract, bypassing the mouth․ This is essential for patients with swallowing difficulties, digestive issues, or those requiring increased nutritional support․ Kangaroo feeding pumps serve a vital purpose: to deliver this nutrition safely and accurately․
These pumps meticulously control the flow rate and volume of formula, mimicking natural digestion․ They minimize risks associated with inconsistent feeding and ensure patients receive the necessary nutrients․ The pumps are designed for both continuous and bolus feedings, adapting to individual patient needs and medical prescriptions․
Kangaroo Pump Models: Overview
Kangaroo offers a range of enteral feeding pumps designed to meet diverse clinical needs․ The Kangaroo Joey is a portable, user-friendly pump ideal for ambulatory patients and home care․ The Kangaroo ePump provides enhanced features for hospital settings, offering greater programming flexibility and advanced alarm management․
For comprehensive control and connectivity, the Kangaroo OMNI pump delivers advanced functionalities, including wireless communication and integration with electronic medical records; Each model ensures precise and reliable delivery of enteral nutrition, prioritizing patient safety and comfort․ Understanding the specific features of each pump is crucial for optimal utilization․
Kangaroo Joey Pump
The Kangaroo Joey is a compact and lightweight enteral feeding pump specifically designed for ambulatory patients and home healthcare settings․ It features a simple interface, making it easy to program and operate․ This pump is ideal for continuous or intermittent feedings, offering flexibility to meet individual patient needs․
The Joey pump includes a pole clamp for secure mounting and a cord clip for convenient cable management․ It’s designed for reliable performance and patient comfort, ensuring accurate delivery of prescribed nutrition․ Healthcare personnel must provide thorough training to lay operators regarding warnings and pump performance monitoring․
Kangaroo ePump
The Kangaroo ePump is an enteral feed and flush pump designed for versatility in various clinical settings․ It supports both continuous and intermittent feeding schedules, offering precise control over fluid delivery․ This model features intuitive programming and a clear display for easy monitoring of feeding parameters․
The ePump includes a pole clamp for secure mounting and is compatible with standard Kangaroo feeding administration sets․ It’s designed to deliver accurate and reliable performance, crucial for optimal patient outcomes․ Access to the operating manual, available for download, provides detailed instructions for setup, use, and troubleshooting․
Kangaroo OMNI Pump
The Kangaroo OMNI Enteral Feeding Pump represents a significant advancement in enteral nutrition delivery, offering a comprehensive solution for diverse patient needs․ This pump is designed for hospital and home care environments, providing flexibility and advanced features․ It’s engineered for ease of use, with a focus on simplifying setup, operation, and troubleshooting․
Dedicated resources, including a detailed operating manual, are available to guide users through all aspects of the pump’s functionality․ Troubleshooting guides specifically address common alarms and notifications, ensuring prompt resolution of potential issues and uninterrupted feeding schedules․
Setting Up the Kangaroo Feeding Pump
Proper setup is crucial for accurate and safe enteral feeding․ Begin by securely attaching the pole clamp to a stable IV pole, ensuring the pump is positioned for easy access․ Utilize the cord clip to neatly manage the power cord, preventing accidental disconnections or tripping hazards․ Before connecting the feeding set, carefully inspect it for any damage or leaks․
Priming the feeding set is a vital step to eliminate air bubbles, guaranteeing accurate delivery․ The Kangaroo pumps often feature an ‘Auto Prime’ function, streamlining this process․ Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for priming, ensuring complete removal of air before connecting to the patient’s feeding tube․
Attaching the Pole Clamp & Cord Clip
Securely mounting the Kangaroo pump is essential for stability and preventing accidental drops․ The pole clamp easily attaches to a standard IV pole, providing a firm hold․ Ensure the clamp is fully engaged before releasing the pump, verifying it’s level and stable․
The cord clip further enhances safety and organization․ Attach it to the pump and route the power cord through the loop, preventing tangling and accidental disconnections․ This simple step minimizes tripping hazards and maintains a clean, organized setup․ Refer to Figure 3 for visual guidance on proper attachment and usage of both components․
Priming the Feeding Set
Proper priming eliminates air bubbles from the feeding set, crucial for accurate delivery and patient safety․ Before connecting to the feeding tube, select the “PRIME PUMP” function on the Kangaroo pump․ Then, choose “AUTO PRIME” to initiate a rapid priming sequence․
The pump will automatically deliver formula through the set, purging any air pockets․ Carefully observe the tubing, ensuring a continuous flow of formula without air bubbles reaching the end․ Once primed, the set is ready for connection to the patient’s feeding tube, guaranteeing a safe and effective feeding experience․
Auto Prime Function

The Kangaroo pump’s Auto Prime function streamlines the priming process, significantly reducing preparation time and minimizing the risk of user error․ Selecting “AUTO PRIME” initiates a pre-programmed sequence where the pump rapidly delivers formula through the entire feeding set․
This automated process efficiently removes air bubbles, ensuring accurate and safe delivery of nutrition․ Healthcare personnel should carefully monitor the tubing during auto-priming, confirming a consistent flow of formula and complete air elimination before connecting to the patient․ This feature enhances workflow and promotes optimal patient care․
Operating the Kangaroo Feeding Pump

To begin operation, ensure the pump is powered on and the battery is adequately charged, or connected to a reliable AC power source․ Verify the feeding set is correctly primed and securely connected to both the pump and the patient’s feeding tube․
Carefully program the desired delivery rate and volume, double-checking all settings before initiating the feed․ Regularly monitor the pump display for any alarms or error messages, addressing them promptly according to the troubleshooting guide․ Consistent observation ensures safe and effective enteral nutrition delivery․
Powering the Pump & Battery Information
The Kangaroo feeding pump operates on both AC power and internal battery, offering flexibility in various care settings․ When plugged into a wall outlet, the pump continuously charges its battery, ensuring uninterrupted operation․
A full recharge typically requires around eight hours, providing approximately fifteen hours of continuous use with a new battery pack․ Battery life may vary depending on pump usage and age․ Regularly check the battery indicator to maintain optimal performance and prevent unexpected interruptions during feeding sessions․
Charging the Battery
To charge the Kangaroo pump’s battery, simply connect the pump to a standard wall outlet using the provided AC adapter․ The pump will automatically begin charging, and a battery indicator will display the charging status․
A complete recharge from a fully depleted battery typically takes approximately eight hours․ It’s recommended to allow the battery to fully charge before initial use or after prolonged periods of inactivity․ Continuous charging while plugged in is supported, ensuring the pump is always ready for operation․ A new battery provides around 15 hours of service․
Battery Life Expectancy
The operational lifespan of a Kangaroo pump battery is influenced by several factors, including usage frequency, charging habits, and environmental conditions․ A newly installed battery pack generally delivers approximately fifteen hours of continuous pump operation before requiring a recharge․
However, consistent deep discharges and prolonged storage in extreme temperatures can diminish battery capacity over time․ Regular, full charges and avoiding complete depletion contribute to maximizing battery longevity․ It’s advisable to replace the battery when it no longer holds a sufficient charge to support intended use, ensuring uninterrupted enteral feeding․
Programming the Pump: Basic Settings
Initial pump programming involves setting the desired flow rate, total volume to be delivered, and occlusion pressure limits․ Access the programming mode via the pump’s interface, typically using dedicated buttons or a menu system․ Carefully input the prescribed flow rate in milliliters per hour, ensuring accuracy for appropriate nutrient delivery․

Next, program the total volume to be infused, allowing the pump to automatically stop once the prescribed amount is administered․ Finally, verify the occlusion pressure settings, which determine the pump’s response to blockages within the feeding set, preventing overpressure and ensuring patient safety․
Troubleshooting Common Issues & Alarms
Common alarms include disconnect alarms, triggered by interruptions in the feeding line, and flow rate errors indicating inconsistencies in delivery․ Disconnect alarms require immediate attention to re-establish a secure connection and prevent interruptions in feeding․ Flow rate errors may stem from air bubbles, kinks in the tubing, or occlusion within the set․
Refer to the pump’s display for specific error codes and consult the manual for corresponding troubleshooting steps․ Regularly inspect the feeding set for obstructions and ensure proper priming to minimize these issues․ If problems persist, contact customer support for assistance․
Disconnect Alarms

Disconnect alarms signal an interruption in the feeding line, potentially due to accidental disconnection or occlusion․ The pump immediately pauses delivery and alerts the user with an audible and visual alarm․ Addressing these alarms promptly is crucial to maintain continuous feeding and prevent complications․
First, verify the connection at all points – the pump, the feeding set, and the patient’s access site․ Ensure secure attachments and check for kinks or obstructions․ If the disconnect persists, replace the feeding set and re-prime before resuming․ Consistent monitoring and careful handling of the tubing are vital to avoid these alarms․
Flow Rate Errors
Flow rate errors indicate a discrepancy between the programmed rate and the actual delivery volume․ These alarms can stem from several issues, including air bubbles within the feeding set, occlusions hindering flow, or inconsistencies in the formula’s viscosity․ The pump will halt delivery and display an error message․

Troubleshooting involves carefully inspecting the feeding set for air bubbles and obstructions․ Gently flush the line to eliminate any blockages․ Verify the formula’s consistency and ensure it’s appropriate for the pump․ If the error persists, replace the feeding set and contact customer support for further assistance, ensuring accurate and safe feeding․

Kangaroo Pump Safety Precautions
Prioritize patient safety by adhering to these crucial precautions․ Always inspect the pump and feeding set for damage before each use, discarding any compromised components․ Ensure proper grounding when using electrical power, and never operate the pump in wet or excessively humid environments․
Healthcare personnel must provide thorough training to lay operators, especially in home care settings, emphasizing alarm recognition and appropriate responses․ Regularly monitor the patient for signs of intolerance or complications․ Discontinue feeding and seek medical attention if any adverse reactions occur, ensuring responsible and vigilant pump operation․

Maintenance & Cleaning Procedures
Regular maintenance ensures optimal pump performance and longevity․ After each use, carefully clean the pump’s exterior with a mild disinfectant, avoiding abrasive cleaners or excessive moisture․ Inspect the pole clamp and cord clip for wear and tear, replacing them as needed to maintain secure positioning․
Do not attempt to disassemble or repair internal components; refer servicing to qualified technical personnel․ Periodically check the battery’s charge capacity and follow the charging guidelines outlined in the manual․ Proper cleaning and preventative maintenance contribute to reliable and safe operation․
Kangaroo Feeding Pump Specifications
The Kangaroo pumps utilize a volumetric rotary peristaltic pumping mechanism, ensuring accurate and consistent fluid delivery․ These devices are designed for enteral feeding applications, requiring specifically KANGAROO feeding pump administration sets for optimal performance; The OMNI model, for example, adheres to rigorous Performance Tests as detailed in the Pump Operation and Service Manual․
Specifications include a robust design for various clinical settings․ The pumps are classified as infusion devices, and detailed technical specifications regarding flow rates, occlusion detection, and alarm systems are available in the comprehensive service manual․
Pumping Mechanism Details
Kangaroo feeding pumps employ a rotary peristaltic pumping mechanism, a technology known for its precision and gentle fluid handling․ This system utilizes rollers to compress a flexible tube, creating a wave-like motion that propels the enteral formula․ This method minimizes shear stress on the feeding solution, preserving its nutritional integrity․

The design ensures accurate volumetric delivery, crucial for consistent patient care․ The pump’s mechanism is carefully calibrated and tested to meet stringent performance standards, as outlined in the KANGAROO PET Service Manual․ Regular maintenance, as described in the manual, is vital for sustained optimal function․
Pump Set Requirements
Kangaroo feeding pumps are designed for use with specifically designated KANGAROO Feeding Pump Administration Sets․ Utilizing non-approved sets can compromise pump accuracy and potentially harm the patient․ These sets are engineered to interface seamlessly with the pump’s peristaltic mechanism, ensuring reliable and precise fluid delivery․
Compatibility is paramount; always verify the set is explicitly labeled for use with Kangaroo pumps․ Performance tests detailed in the Pump Operation and Service Manual validate the functionality of approved sets․ Proper set selection and priming, as instructed, are essential steps for safe and effective enteral feeding․
Customer Service & Support Information
For any questions, concerns, or reports of altered pump performance, promptly contact Kangaroo’s dedicated Customer Service team․ Healthcare personnel training lay operators must emphasize this point, particularly in home care settings․ Kangaroo prioritizes patient safety and offers comprehensive support to ensure proper pump utilization․
Access to detailed operating manuals, including those for the Joey, ePump, and OMNI models, is readily available online; Technical support is also accessible for qualified personnel requiring service manual information․ Contacting customer service is crucial for addressing any issues and maintaining optimal pump functionality․
