Alaris 8120 PCA Module

Quick answer: The Alaris 8120 PCA Module is the patient-controlled analgesia module of the Alaris System. It attaches to an Alaris PC Unit (Model 8015), delivers pain management medications by IV, subcutaneous, or epidural route from a syringe behind a security door, and can pause PCA delivery based on an attached Alaris EtCO2 Module. IPR Medical sells recertified 8120 modules backed by IPR Medical’s warranty, repairs them in-house, and stocks parts.

Overview

The Alaris 8120 PCA Module is a syringe-based patient-controlled analgesia channel for the Alaris System. It does not operate on its own: it attaches to an Alaris PC Unit (Model 8015), which provides the display, keypad, Guardrails drug library, alarms, and battery. Patients request doses with a dose request cord, and the module delivers them within the lockout intervals and dose limits programmed by the clinician and governed by the facility’s Guardrails data set. Only one PCA Module functions as a PCA on a given system, alongside the facility’s pump, syringe, EtCO2, and Auto-ID modules.

PCA Programming and Guardrails Limits

The 8120 supports PCA-only and PCA-plus-continuous delivery, with loading doses and bolus doses, all programmed through the PC Unit. PCA dose, loading dose, bolus dose, and maximum dose ranges are configured to hospital best-practice guidelines in Guardrails Suite MX, so pharmacy controls the limits for each care area profile. Dosing can be entered in mcg, mg, or ml, with continuous rates in mcg/h, mg/h, or ml/h. A patient history view trends total and delivered demands, total drug delivered, and average drug per hour over 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, or 24 hours, and breaks drug delivered down by PCA dose, continuous infusion, loading dose, and bolus dose.

PCA Pause Protocol with the EtCO2 Module

BD’s PCA pause protocol is an optional, hospital-configurable feature intended to align with a facility’s monitoring protocol during PCA therapy. When it is enabled and an Alaris EtCO2 Module is attached and monitoring, the PCA infusion pauses and alarms when the defined low respiratory rate limit is exceeded and sustained. If an EtCO2 Module is not attached or started, the PCA pause protocol does not activate. When a drug configured for PCA pause is selected, the PC Unit prompts the clinician to attach an EtCO2 Module.

Syringes and Administration Sets

The 8120 uses standard luer-lock syringes with infusion sets that have integrated anti-siphon valves, designed for syringe-type PCA pumps. On v12 software, BD’s compatible list includes BD 20, 30, and 50 mL syringes, Terumo SS-60L (other Terumo sizes are listed for Canada only), and the IMS Pump Jet 30 mL prefilled morphine sulfate 1 mg/mL. BD’s September 2023 Class I correction directs facilities to stop using Cardinal Health Monoject syringes with the Syringe and PCA Modules except SKU 8881135609, a 35 mL detachable-plunger empty barrel whose plunger is supplied with the administration set. Continuous rates are capped by syringe size: 6.99 ml/h for 20 mL, 10.49 ml/h for 30 mL, 12.24 ml/h for 35 mL, and 20.99 ml/h for 50/60 mL syringes.

Performance

The 8120 shares the Alaris Syringe Module’s drive mechanism. BD specifies ±2% full-scale plunger travel accuracy for the module and ±5% system accuracy (module and syringe together) at flow rates of at least 10% of syringe volume per hour, plus ±5% bolus volume accuracy for boluses of 1 mL or more at bolus rates of 75 to 500 ml/h. Occlusion alarm settings are low, medium, and high; BD specifies time to alarm of 5 minutes or less at the low setting and 10 minutes or less at the high setting at its listed flow rates, and post-occlusion bolus volume of 1 mL or less for syringes up to 35 mL. BD notes that the 50 and 60 mL syringes may produce a larger post-occlusion bolus at the high setting.

FDA Device Corrections and Safety Bulletins

The following FDA-listed actions include the Alaris PCA Module 8120. Both remain open as of October 2026.

1. Class 1 Labeling Correction (September 2023, Z-0186-2024) — Syringe Compatibility: The compatible-syringe lists for the Alaris Syringe and PCA Modules included syringes that had not been validated. BD directed facilities to stop using Cardinal Health Monoject syringes with the Syringe and PCA Modules, except SKU 8881135609, and to replace their compatibility lists with BD’s updated attachments.

2. Class 2 Correction (August 2024, Z-3139-2024) — IUI Connectors: BD identified an increase in bent contacts on the new female (left) IUI connectors, which can make a module inoperable and delay the start of an infusion. The FDA record lists specific serial numbers. BD instructs users to inspect all IUI connectors before use and to send any module with a bent or lifted pin to biomedical engineering or qualified service personnel.

Action recommended: Confirm your PCA syringe inventory against BD’s current compatible list, inspect both IUI connectors before use, and verify the installed software version on each module and PC Unit. IPR Medical can assist with inspection, repair, and parts — call 855-477-8866 or email cs@iprmed.com.

Because FDA device corrections and safety communications may be updated or expanded after the date of this listing, IPR Medical recommends that facilities also check the FDA’s official resources directly to ensure they have the most current information:

• FDA Medical Device Recalls Database
• FDA Medical Device Safety
• FDA MedWatch

IPR Medical — Your Source for the Alaris 8120 PCA Module

IPR Medical buys, sells, repairs, and stocks parts for the Alaris 8120 PCA Module. Whether you are adding PCA capacity to an existing Alaris fleet, pairing PCA with EtCO2 monitoring, or need service on modules you already own, our team can help you match modules, syringes, and software to what your facility runs.

IPR Medical buys, sells, repairs, and stocks parts for the Alaris 8120 PCA Module. Contact us at 855-477-8866 or cs@iprmed.com.

Frequently asked questions

Does the 8120 PCA Module work on its own?
No. It attaches to an Alaris PC Unit (Model 8015), which provides the display, drug library, alarms, and battery. See our BD Alaris 8015 PC Unit (v12.3 Software) and 5.7-inch PC Unit listings.

How does the PCA pause protocol work?
When enabled and an Alaris EtCO2 Module is attached and monitoring, the PCA infusion pauses and alarms when the hospital-defined low respiratory rate limit is exceeded and sustained. Without an EtCO2 Module attached and started, the protocol does not activate.

Which syringes can we use with the 8120?
On v12 software, BD lists BD 20, 30, and 50 mL syringes, Terumo SS-60L (other Terumo sizes in Canada only), the IMS Pump Jet 30 mL prefilled morphine, and only one Monoject product, SKU 8881135609. BD’s September 2023 correction directs facilities to stop using other Cardinal Health Monoject syringes with the PCA Module.

Can IPR Medical repair our Alaris PCA Modules?
Yes. IPR Medical repairs Alaris PCA Modules in-house. U.S. customers can request a free inbound FedEx or UPS shipping label through our RMA form, receive a free evaluation within 1 to 2 business days, and approve a written estimate before work begins. Repaired modules are tested to OEM specifications, cleaned, and carry a 90-day warranty.

Repair service: IPR Medical also repairs BD Alaris pumps in house, with a free shipping label, a free evaluation and a 90-day repair warranty. See BD Alaris pump repair.

Trademark Notice: BD, and all other brand names, model names, and part numbers shown are trademarks of their respective owners and are used on this page only to identify the original manufacturer’s equipment offered here, consistent with nominative fair use. This listing is offered by IPR Medical, an ISO 9001:2015-certified independent service organization, and is not sponsored by, affiliated with, or endorsed by BD.