Biologically Safe Water Filters

Any new product takes time to be accepted as it goes through a process of testing, validation and implementation.  This often requires a facility to do product research and implement procedural changes.

The Nephros DSU is a new product that has gained a foothold in the dialysis community by living up to it’s claims of endotoxin protection, long life and EPO reduction.   The DSU topic can be followed on the RenalWeb discussion boards.

With cost controls in healthcare and the new reimbursement program for dialysis, innovative products that prove themselves will become the accepted standard in the industry.

Biological Water Filters creates biologically engineered water filters that are required for immuno-compromised patients in hospitals and health-conscious consumers in homes.  To learn more, contact us today at 407-444-1066.

Medicare has started requiring hospitals to report hospital-acquired infections.  Those that do not, will have 2% of their Medicare payment withheld. This year, hospitals have to reveal their catheter-associated bloodstream infections.  Next year they’ll have to report surgical site infections.  This list will only increase in the future.  Hospitals Face New Pressure To Cut Infection Rates

Many hospitals have focused on catheters, hard surface disinfecting and hand washing to combat HAI’s.  The air in critical areas is usually filtered, however; hospital water supply systems are often overlooked. Numerous studies show the need for filtering hospital water.  Point of Use filters are easier to install and maintain than a whole system filter and are capable of providing biologically pure water.

Biological Water Filters creates biologically engineered water filters that are required for immuno-compromised patients in hospitals and health-conscious consumers in homes.  To learn more, contact us today at 407-444-1066.

HAIs are the 6th leading cause of death in the United States.  Education and behavior modification, along with new technology, can have a significant impact in reducing HAIs.  Whatever the new procedure or product, it must have proof that it reduces infection rates.

In general, it’s better to re-engineer the system than to try and educate people about it (i.e. it’s better to build cars with seat belts and airbags than trying to tell people to drive more carefully).

The Nephros DSU studies show a reduction in infection rates with the use of this .005 micron ultrafilter.  A number of hospitals have installed these filters and have seen an significant improvement in their HAI rates.

Biological Water Filters creates biologically engineered water filters that are required for immuno-compromised patients in hospitals and health-conscious consumers in homes.  To learn more, contact us today at 407-444-1066.

The new reimbursement program for dialysis bundles the EPO reimbursement with the dialysis treatment reimbursement.  Reducing EPO usage helps the dialysis clinic to meet or improve on their treatment costs.  Ultrafiltration of water and dialysate reduces chronic inflammation, which reduces the need for EPO.

But – not all ultrafilters are equal to this task.  The Nephros DSU filters to .005 microns and, when used in the dialysis setting, will last up to a year.  Most other filters are only .02 microns and last about 3 months.

The DSU has been installed in multiple chronic dialysis clinics at the wall box, prior to each dialysis machine.  The DSU is also used in many acute units on their portable RO/DI systems.

Biological Water Filters creates biologically engineered water filters that are required for immuno-compromised patients in hospitals and health-conscious consumers in homes.  To learn more, contact us today at 407-444-1066.

A study was conducted to check the long-term effects on the DSU’s performance on bicarb lines (single station/wall box and central point/bicarb tank).  The results show that the bicarbonate filtration has no significant effect on the filter permeability.

The Nephros DSU is being used in dialysis to reduce endotoxins so clinics can meet the new AAMI standards issued Jan. 26, 2011.  Additionally, cost-savings are being realized through lowered EPO usage.

Studies, installation guidelines and pricing can be found on the Dialysis Page of our website.

Biological Water Filters creates biologically engineered water filters that are required for immuno-compromised patients in hospitals and health-conscious consumers in homes.  To learn more, contact us today at 407-444-1066.

This is a study of 2 clinics; one using Gambro Phoenix^® (Diaclear™) ultrafilters and one using Fresenius 2008K (Diasafe^®) ultrafilters.  The Nephros DSU™ was installed on the RO water lines feeding the machines and the original, machine-brand filter was left in place.

In both clinics, EPO usage was significantly reduced.  The clinic with Gambro machines reduced dosage by 43% and the clinic with Fresenius 2008K machines reduced dosage by 47%.  This percentage of EPO reduction would have significant positive financial impact on a clinic’s ability to manage costs.

There is a difference between the Nephros DSU and machine-brand ultrafilters.  Small inflammatory substances can contribute to the inflammatory state and EPO resistance in hemodialysis patients.  And the Nephros DSU can be used in multiple areas in dialysis.

Biological Water Filters creates biologically engineered water filters that are required for immuno-compromised patients in hospitals and health-conscious consumers in homes.  To learn more, contact us today at 407-444-1066.

DNA fragments from biofilm in water lines and the preparation of dialysate could be harmful for patient outcomes.  An article from Blood Purification reviews the evidence and suggests further studies.  This article also indicated that the Diasafe filters currently used are not able to remove these fragments.  A second news article on RenalWeb (2/8/11) highlights the need for ultrapure dialysate when using high flux dialyzers.

The Diasafe filters are .02 micron (molecular weight cut-off of 40,000 – 50,000 daltons) and they can be compromised by bleaching.  They should be changed at least every 90 days on average in a dialysis setting.  The Nephros DSU is a .005 micron filter (molecular weight cut-off is 15,000 daltons) and will last about 1 year on average in a dialysis setting.  The dual-stage design also reduces the chance of filter failure.  Dialysis field tests and installation pictures of the DSU can be seen at http://www.biologicalwaterfilters.com/dialysis-water-filters.php

The Nephros DSU can also help dialysis units reduce their EPO costs.

Biological Water Filters creates biologically engineered water filters that are required for immuno-compromised patients in hospitals and health-conscious consumers in homes.  To learn more, contact us today at 407-444-1066.

On Jan. 26, 2011, AAMI announced the adoption of a new standard for levels of bacteria and endotoxins allowed in dialysate.  The standard, ANSI/AAMI/ISO 1163, replaces the AAMI RD52 standard .

The Nephros Dual Stage Ultrafilter (DSU) will enable dialysis clinics to meet these new standards.  Installation is simple; and the effective life-span of these filters makes them very cost-effective.

Following installation of the Nephros DSU, we recommend disinfecting the lines downstream of the DSU as per standard clinical procedure.  The DSU is compatible with most common water loop disinfection chemicals.  It can be subject to 1% Renalin, 1% bleach, 2% vinegar or heat disinfection (80°C for 1 hr) for 1 year of weekly exposures with no degradation in safety or efficacy.  Be aware, current filters supplied by dialysis machine manufacturers can be degraded by multiple bleach disinfections.

Disinfection should be carried out as per standard clinic procedures.  No special precautions or procedures are required for the DSU.  It is to be treated simply as an extension of the water distribution system.  Ongoing endotoxin testing should be performed according to your facility’s procedure.

Following chemical disinfection, the water must be tested for residual disinfectant with test strips or other means.  The increase in the water system surface area and volume due to the DSU may require longer rinsing times.

The pressure drop across the DSU generally reduces the flow rate by about 1/3 to 1/2 of the rate without the filter.  The filter should operate under normal use with minimal degradation in flow.  If the flow rate degrades significantly, replace the filter.

The installation of a Nephros DSU on your dialysis water system will help reduce your disinfection frequency.  The DSU .005 micron filter produces ultrapure water and attains high flow rates (2.5 gallons/min).  The filters are fast and simple to install, since they attach to quick-connect fittings (CPC).  The DSU can be installed post RO, on the RO loop or at the wall box and is an easy way to reduce water bacteria counts.

Additional studies and pictures of installations (click here).