Bacteriological Water Quality in the Central Dialysis Fluid Delivery System from the Survey of the Japanese Society for Dialysis Therapy

Abstract

The Japanese Society for Dialysis Therapy (JSDT) surveyed all dialysis facilities for bacteriological quality of dialysis fluid and quality controls for dialysis fluid in 2006 and 2007. The JSDT collected the data for endotoxin (ET) levels, bacterial count and usage of ET retentive filters (ETRF). The JSDT standard for ET level in dialysis fluid (<0.050 EU/ml) was achieved in 89.0% in 2006 and in 93.6% in 2007. The JSDT standard for bacterial cell counts in dialysis fluid (<100 cfu/ml) was achieved in 96.9% in 2006 and in 97.4% in 2007. The central dialysis fluid delivery system (CDDS) is a unique system developed in Japan which has easy handling for daily maintenance of delivery systems, but it has been pointed out that CDDS has a weak point for the protection of biofilms. However, the bacteriological water qualities of dialysis fluid in CDDS were proven to be extremely high in most Japanese dialysis facilities by JSDT surveys. Bacteriological water quality has a strong impact on the patient outcome. The acceptable level of ET of dialysis fluid should be <0.1 EU/ml based on the results of JSDT survey. The excellent water quality in CDDS might be one of the important factors which help good patient survival in chronic dialysis in Japan.