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Post by Travis CHBT on Feb 2, 2022 2:12:31 GMT
In my 4 years of dialysis biomed this is the the first time fooling with an acid mixer and I’m looking to you guys for some education! I might be over thinking this but... After you transfer the concentrate and you rinse the mixer the filter is sitting there in RO water and let’s say it’s 4-6 weeks before the next batch is made. Wouldn’t the filter start to grow bacteria/endotoxins because of the stagnant water? Would the next batch of 100 gallons of concentrate that goes through be able to disinfect/kill everything collected in the filter? I understand that bacteria is not going to live in a concentrate system and we have ultra filters on the machines to aid but I figured this might be a fun topic! Sometimes I think waaaay too much!
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Post by anon’s face on Feb 2, 2022 11:23:13 GMT
In my 4 years of dialysis biomed this is the the first time fooling with an acid mixer and I’m looking to you guys for some education! I might be over thinking this but... After you transfer the concentrate and you rinse the mixer the filter is sitting there in RO water and let’s say it’s 4-6 weeks before the next batch is made. Wouldn’t the filter start to grow bacteria/endotoxins because of the stagnant water? Would the next batch of 100 gallons of concentrate that goes through be able to disinfect/kill everything collected in the filter? I understand that bacteria is not going to live in a concentrate system and we have ultra filters on the machines to aid but I figured this might be a fun topic! Sometimes I think waaaay too much! A Fresenius granuflo mixer’s filter is not part of the rinse cycle. You’re actually encouraged to leave acid in the filter until the next batch. The recommendation also includes disposing the first 5 gallons of fresh made acid before transfer, not only to ensure you’re not putting leftover 2k into 3k, but to rinse out any stagnant RO water. |
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Post by Chuck Weddle on Feb 2, 2022 12:06:17 GMT
Just for clarification....There are "salt-loving" bacteria called Halophiles that can survive and even thrive in acid concentrate. That said, I think the chances of a halophile strain infecting a mixing system is extremely slim/nil as most will die if they are removed from their salty environment.
I have not used dry acid since the Minntech/Renal Systems Renapak mixer. Back then, we never disinfected the mixer and never had any issues. After a batch was pumped over, another one was made and stayed in the mixer till there was room in the holding tank.
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Post by Travis CHBT on Feb 2, 2022 13:13:02 GMT
We have Rockwell mixers and I seen a policy stating that after the rinse cycle to remove filter, dump the water out of the filter housing, and reinstall filter with fresh concentrate. We also dispose of 3.5 gallons to flush the lines before transferring. I asked a couple of local biomeds and of course everyone has a different thought and not everyone does that. I'm not at a clinic with an operators manual at the moment to check what they recommend but I'm always willing to learn about water and bacteria! I need to take the water certification at some point!
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Post by ThreadGuest on Mar 17, 2022 17:24:58 GMT
I know this is an month old thread to bring back but here's my 2 cents on the mixer filter. I'm with anon'sface regarding the mixer filter is not affected by the rinse cycle for FMC granuflo mixers, but we discard/flush 3.5 gallons. However, if a rinse cycle is performed and the mixer stays "wet" for an extended period of time, in your case 4-6 weeks; I'd def be concerned about bacterial growth inside the mixer itself rather than the filter. Per our policy, we leave the acid mixer "dry" after a transfer and do not rinse unless, there is a batch to be made immediately the same day or a different acid concentrate. I always tell my techs, if the filter is turning brown to change it and don't wait after the batch 5 or 6 to replace it.
Now if the mixer does get a rinse and is now "wet," but a batch of acid is not made the same day; a bleach disinfect of the mixer must be done before any use.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 18, 2022 14:15:08 GMT
I agree with ThreadGuest. When I was at a clinic, we would leave the mixer alone following transfer to the tanks and the Rinse would be performed prior to any mixing. We would also flush 3 gallons from the transfer hose before sending to the holding tanks.
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Post by F BMET on Jul 11, 2022 19:02:09 GMT
Read the manufacturer's instructions for use.
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