Routine disinfection of the total dialysis fluid system. 2002

A Gorke, and J Kittel
Klinikum Garmisch-Partenkirchen, II Internal Clinic, Murnau, Germany.

The importance of bacteria and endotoxin free, sterile dialysis fluid for long term, high quality haemodialysis treatment is obvious and very much demanded (1,2). Dead spaces and connections between units (segments) of fluid production and delivery in elder systems are a continuous source for bacteria growth, biofilm generation and endotoxin release (3). After varying success with routine disinfection of system components showing partly fast recovery and growth of bacteria (i.e. < 48 hours) we changed to routine disinfection of the entire fluid production and distribution system. We call this'system disinfection'. We report the methods and results from observation of practice over 28 months of disinfection. The fluid system is composed of a soft water tank, reverse osmosis (double RO), RO fluid loop, central bicarbonate production and delivery system and dialysis stations with and without ultrafilter and citric-thermal disinfection before and after each haemodialysis. The system disinfection is carried out bimonthly with peracetic acid 3.5% in > 0.1% solution at a mean temperature of > 15 degrees C and at a minimum of 60 minutes of disinfection time. Samples for microbiological testing and endotoxin measurement were assessed 3-4 monthly at 7 measurement points. The tests were carried out 7 times on the 11th day (mean value [MV]) after routine system disinfection. The result was in 0.2 CFU/ml (MV) in 40 tests. The endotoxin levels (IU/L) were all < 0.25 except one at 0.325 in RO water. Endotoxin was assessed 5 times in 26 tests over 28 months. Samples were taken at 10.5 (MV) days after system disinfection. The Gel Clot or turbometric method was used. Efficient and preventive routine system disinfection of an entire dialysis fluid production and distribution system as standard in modern equipment - can support sufficient quality in dialysis fluid produced and distributed by elder and composed systems.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D004203 Disinfection Rendering pathogens harmless through the use of heat, antiseptics, antibacterial agents, etc.
D004731 Endotoxins Toxins closely associated with the living cytoplasm or cell wall of certain microorganisms, which do not readily diffuse into the culture medium, but are released upon lysis of the cells. Endotoxin
D004784 Environmental Monitoring The monitoring of the level of toxins, chemical pollutants, microbial contaminants, or other harmful substances in the environment (soil, air, and water), workplace, or in the bodies of people and animals present in that environment. Monitoring, Environmental,Environmental Surveillance,Surveillance, Environmental
D004866 Equipment Contamination The presence of an infectious agent on instruments, prostheses, or other inanimate articles. Contamination, Equipment,Contaminations, Equipment,Equipment Contaminations
D004867 Equipment Design Methods and patterns of fabricating machines and related hardware. Design, Equipment,Device Design,Medical Device Design,Design, Medical Device,Designs, Medical Device,Device Design, Medical,Device Designs, Medical,Medical Device Designs,Design, Device,Designs, Device,Designs, Equipment,Device Designs,Equipment Designs
D006435 Renal Dialysis Therapy for the insufficient cleansing of the BLOOD by the kidneys based on dialysis and including hemodialysis, PERITONEAL DIALYSIS, and HEMODIAFILTRATION. Dialysis, Extracorporeal,Dialysis, Renal,Extracorporeal Dialysis,Hemodialysis,Dialyses, Extracorporeal,Dialyses, Renal,Extracorporeal Dialyses,Hemodialyses,Renal Dialyses
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D014871 Water Microbiology The presence of bacteria, viruses, and fungi in water. This term is not restricted to pathogenic organisms. Microbiology, Water
D015314 Dialysis Solutions Solutions prepared for exchange across a semipermeable membrane of solutes below a molecular size determined by the cutoff threshold of the membrane material. Dialysate,Dialysis Solution,Dialyzate,Dialysates,Dialyzates,Solution, Dialysis,Solutions, Dialysis
D017053 Infection Control Programs of disease surveillance, generally within health care facilities, designed to investigate, prevent, and control the spread of infections and their causative microorganisms. Control, Infection

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