NN&I - May 2010
Facility Management www.nephronline.comMay 2010 Nephrology News & Issues 51 tional measure of bacteria control. With its strength, durability and non-reactive properties, Teflon reduces fric -tion, wear, and energy consumption of machinery and systems. Teflon's resis -tance to biofilm buildup and sanitant flexibility has helped it gain favor in clinic water system design. Biofilm is the root cause of bacteria problems. Biofilm is a community of microorganisms covered with a pro -tective layer of slime that can attach anywhere. Once established, the micro-organisms can flourish and resist dis -infection procedures. Teflon's surface is very smooth, making it difficult for biofilm to attach. Additionally, Teflon connections are more sanitary, provid -ing less surface area to grow bacteria. With this loop material, clinics have a choice between using heat, chemical, and ozone sanitizing the loop. Each of these choices result in a cleaner, easier- to-maintain water distribution loop, and a higher level of water purity. A look to the future When it comes to the water used in hemodialysis, the highest quality water is vital if clinics are to reduce costs and prevent patient infection from water-born contaminates. In short, the high -er the water quality, the greater the patient health. This is a fact that has been supported by several studies. But moving belief into practice can be difficult. Only recently has the need for ultrapure water in the dialysis pro-cess gained recognition. Why a higher standard is required for mostly topi -cal products but not for water that comes in direct contact with a dialysis patient's blood is an anomaly, but those are the practices under which all dialy-sis clinics and purification companies currently operate. However, that fact is likely to change. There is a growing trend toward more stringent standards. The regulation of water treatment quality for hemodi -alysis in the United States is moving however slowly toward a higher standard than currently exists. These new regulations more closely conform to the higher standards that are cur -rently in place in Europe. These new standards are also expected to ulti-mately harmonize with USP Purified Water Standards, which are the closest industry standards to existing dialysis standards. Fortunately, suppliers and treat -ment facilities alike are beginning to recognize the need for greater water quality standards. The result of this recognition has been better quality designs, improved sanitization practic-es and the use of new bacteria-resistant materials. Combined with a greater awareness of potential health risks to patients, these factors are combining to push current water standards for hemodialysis water ever closer to the much more strict USP standards without the large cost increases that often block the path to change. Presented by:Vascular Access Management in the U.S. Date: Wednesday, May 19 Time: 3 pm EDT Register today at www.nephronline.com/webinarSPONSORED BY:Join us from your of\037ce or home for a free webinar Optimal vascular access is an ongoing challenge for dialysis care professionals. In this one-hour presentation, we identify the problems created by inadequate access care, and ask experts in the \037eld to offer new strategies for improving access management. Current Challenges and the Potential for Improvement webinar ad.indd 1 4/13/10 10:35:58 AM Water Facility Manag(NEW).indd 51 4/16/10 4:37:49 PM
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