Biologically Safe Water Filters

Eliminate waterborne infections by filtering shower and sink water with a .005 micron filter.  The Nephros SafeShower comes as a hand-held or a fixed-head unit.  Sinks can be fitted with the SSU ultrafilter.  Most filters are only .02 microns and they don’t last as long as the Nephros filters.  The Nephros filters have quick-connect fittings that allow for easy changes.

Reduce the chance of healthcare associated infections (HAIs).  Hospital water systems are often overlooked as an infection source.  Nephros SSU filters are an inexpensive was to provide biologically pure water.

ASHRAE has published a public review draft for the proposed new Standard 188, Prevention of Legionellosis Associated with Building Water Systems.

Section 8.4.4 covers water systems including sinks, showers and ice machines.  Figure B1 (page20) has a process flow diagram for potable water service.  Point of use filtration with the right level of filtration can solve bacterial contamination problems.

Central Michigan University released the results of a national survey of 900 hospitals showing inconsistent testing of tap water.  Hospital patients with weak immune systems, infants and the elderly are at risk from exposure to waterborne pathogens

According to Mark Cwiek, health science faculty, “The most overlooked and controllable potential source of hospital-acquired infection is in the tap water.”  CMU is advocating weekly testing, along with a waterborne risk management plan and training, which can be obtained from a variety of sources. CMU has also provided suggestions for patients while they are in the hospital

Water filtration at the point-of-use can solve the majority of exposures to waterborne pathogens.  Inexpensive filter solutions for drinking and showering are available.  Biologically pure water is easy to implement in all hospitals.

Hospital water systems contain aquatic microorganisms that can be transferred to vulnerable patients.  Healthcare Associated Infections (HAIs) can be reduced by filtering the water at the point of use on tubs, sinks and showers.

Most filters only filter to 0.02 microns.  The Nephros SSU is a 0.005 micron ultrafilter that will give you biologically pure water.  The filters have a quick-connect system for quick and easy changes.  The new Single Stage Ultrafilter (SSU) is available in three models; inline for sinks and tubs, hand-held shower and fixed-head shower.

Less than 10% of US hospitals test their water daily.  Patients with weak immune systems are at risk for infection from exposure to waterborne pathogens.  A study conducted by Central Michigan University calls for Federal mandates to test tap water in hospitals to reduce the incidence of healthcare acquired infections (HAIs).  Areas that patients should be cautious of include drinking water (including ice), showers, and a host of other equipment found in hospitals (nebulizers, eyewash stations, vaporizers, etc).

The Nephros filters have a 0.005 micron membrane and are designed for use in hospital settings to control waterborne pathogens at the point of use.

The American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) has developed a new standard to help prevent Legionellosis from contaminating building water systems (ASHRAE Standards 188P)

Although there are myriad ‘guidance’ documents specifying how to control Legionella, Standard 188P provides the specifications on what to do with all that information.

Nephros filters are available in a variety of sizes for different applications.  The 0.005 micron filters will control Healthcare Associated Infections (HAIs) including Legionella.

In order to combat Legionella, many hospitals have installed water filters on sinks and showers.  The majority of these filters are 0.2 micron and need to be changed every 14-30 days, depending on the filter type.  The costs for these  filters and the labor to change them have added significant expense.

The Nephros DSU and SSU  are ultrafilters; at 0.005 microns, they are a major improvement over the 0.2 micron filters. The single-stage ultrafilter (SSU) for sinks, will last at least 2 months (VS 14 days).  The dual-stage ultrafilter (DSU) for showers, will last at least 3 months (VS  30 days).

Since both filters last longer, fewer changes per year will reduce the labor costs.   Installation Videos and specifications are available on our website.

The Nephros SSU (single-stage ultrafilter) attaches directly to any faucet.  The DSU (dual-stage ultrafilter) is installed under the cabinet prior to the faucet, as it has a greater capacity.

Traditional filters use a flat sheet (pleated) membrane of a limited surface area.  As a result, they need to have fairly large pores (0.2 microns) to allow for adequate flow.  The Nephros ultrafilters use a hollow fiber membrane which allows for 10x the surface area in the same volume.  As a result, Nephros uses a much smaller pore size (0.005 microns) and still get high flow rates.  Nephros only makes the one porosity because it has a unique advantage over sheet membranes when used in tap water.  The pore sizes are so small they do not become clogged with particulate.  This results in filter life at least 10x longer than traditional membranes.  The surface area of the Nephros SSU is 0.7 m².

The SSU is ideal for those who require biologically pure water (it does not address chemical contaminants).  Patients requiring ultrapure water for wound care can install these filters on shower lines as well.

How clean is the water you use on your burn and wound care patients?  Many aquatic microorganisms can survive and flourish in hospital water systems and these can be transferred to vulnerable hospital patients.

Eliminate waterborne infections and ensure the safety of immune-compromised and at-risk patients with the Nephros SSU.  This filter is a point-of-use .005 micron filter that provides high purity water for infection control.

Use on tubs/showers, and sinks.  Most other filters are only .02 microns.  Easy quick-connect system allows for quick changes.  Reduce healthcare associated infections (HAIs); the SSU provides water free of bacteria, viruses, fungi and cysts.

Ultra-filtered water reduces infections and lowers costs in hospitals and outpatient clinics.  Patients who are immune compromised are at most risk for contracting waterborne infections.  Hospital water systems are often overlooked as an infection source.  Burn patients and ICU patients in general can benefit by filtering water at the point-of-use to reduce any chance of infection.  Hospitals are now being measured, and charged, for hospital acquired infections(HAIs).

Outpatient clinics and dialysis facilities can benefit from ultra-filtered water.  Dialysis uses large quantities of purified water per treatment.  New water standards have been established to lower the chance of infection for patients.  Reimbursement for patient treatments has changed and the cost for drugs (including EPO) is now part of the overall reimbursement.  By providing ultrapure dialysate for treatments, the caregiver reduces the inflammatory challenge to the patient, and this allows the clinic to use lesser drug amounts and save on their cost per treatment.

Nephros has multiple .005 micron ultrafilters to support medical facilities in their quest for infection control.  The DSU (Dual Stage Ultrafilter) is most commonly used in dialysis, post RO, to provide ultrapure water.  It is also used in ICUs for showers, under sinks and on ice machine water lines.

The SSU (Single Stage Ultrafilter) is smaller and has less capacity.  It is used on sink faucets and recently is available for dialysis on central feed bicarbonate lines as an end point filter at the wall box.

The MSU (Mega Stage Ultrafilter) has just received an FDA 510k clearance.  With it’s higher flow rate the MSU will be used in areas requiring flow rates larger than 14 liters/minute.

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.