Biologically Safe Water Filters

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.

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.

AHANews.com -  The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services just issued a proposed rule, setting policies for prohibiting federal payments to states for any medical assistance for healthcare-acquired conditions (HACs).  Medicaid state plans must now “lay out the rules for reducing provider payment with respect to healthcare-acquired conditions that would otherwise result in an increase in payment”.

Acquired healthcare infections (HAIs) can be reduced with the use of the Nephros DSU in ICUs, burn units and transplant and surgical units.  For additional information on the Nephros DSU, click here.

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 most serious and most common cause of infections in burn patients is from a waterborne pathogen, Pseudomonas Aeruginosa.  All hospital patients can be exposed to infections from hospital water due to biofilm in the water system.   Centralized disinfection is unable to remove this biofilm. A study was conducted at two large US hospitals to determine the effectiveness of point-of-use ultrafiltration for infection control.  After the Nephros DSU was installed, waterborne bacteria was eliminated. We will be exhibiting the DSU at the American Burn Association Meeting in Chicago on March 29 – April 1, 2011.

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.

Patients with moderate to large size burns require daily wound care to minimize infection.  Hydrotherapy and debridement are an integral part of a patient’s treatment.  It is critical that the water used be filtered so waterborne pathogens are eliminated.  Point-of-use filters provide protection for these immuno-compromised patients.

Typical 0.2 micron filters have a small surface area, which leads to rapid clogging and a short service life (1-2 weeks).  Additionally, bacteria can actually grow through the membrane.  The Nephros DSU offers a nominal pore size of 0.005 microns and the filter averages a 3 month lifespan with a 2.5 gal/min flow.

A number of dialysis clinics are developing high bacteria counts in their water for patient treatments.  Bacteria from the carbon tanks is mostly removed by the RO.  The RO is not 100% effective though, therefore; to protect the patient, all acute dialysis machines should have an ultrafilter.  An excellent discussion on this issue can be found on RenalWeb.  The Nephros DSU can provide the protection needed for portable RO machines in the acute and home hemo dialysis settings.

A new initiative was announced by HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, to fight costly and dangerous health care-associated infections (HAI’s).

According to the Oct. 23/PRNewswire-USNewswire article, nearly 2 million patients develop HAI’s, which contribute to 99,000 deaths each year and $28-$33 billion in health care costs.

Hospital water systems are a source of many infections.  Water purification will reduce or eliminate these waterborne infections.  Nephros Dual Stage Ultrafilters can be easily installed (and replaced); thus allowing healthcare facilities to eliminate bacteria, viral agents, cysts, fungi and biological endotoxins at the point of use.

According to a letter titled “ESRD: State of the Art and Charting the Challenges for the Future” that was sent to the Director of the White House Office of Health Reform, June 5, 2009:

“The inflammatory process is an ever-present phenomenon, but is likely enhanced by not using optimal water treatment in the dialysis process. Toxin exposure with our current AAMI water standards is too high in the U.S. as compared to Europe (where ultrapure water is used more commonly for dialysis).”

AAMI guidelines for water in acute dialysis units are being reviewed. It is anticipated that in October, there will be new recommendations for ultrapure water for dialysis treatments in acute units. The thought process is that acute patients are more at risk for infection; therefore the standard AAMI water for dialysis is not sufficient.

The Nehros DSU contains a .005 micron membrane to eliminate bacteria, viral agents, cysts, cungi and biological endotoxins.  The DSU will produce ultrapure water when used post RO/DI.