Reuse and Disinfection Protocols Flashcards

What is the correct storage condition for a reprocessed dialyzer filled with peracetic acid disinfectant?

Answer: Stored at room temperature (15–30°C), upright, with both ports capped and away from direct light, until the next use

Reprocessed dialyzers filled with peracetic acid are stored at room temperature, capped, and upright. Refrigeration is not required and may slow the disinfection process. Most reprocessed dialyzers must be used within 7–14 days (facility-specific policy).

Formaldehyde, once commonly used for dialyzer reprocessing, has largely been replaced because:

Answer: Formaldehyde is classified as a carcinogen, poses occupational health hazards, and requires special handling and disposal

Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen (IARC Group 1) and causes respiratory irritation and skin sensitization. OSHA exposure limits require engineering controls, PPE, and hazardous waste disposal. Peracetic acid alternatives provide equivalent disinfection with fewer occupational and environmental hazards.

What does a failing 'pressure test' on a reprocessed dialyzer most commonly indicate?

Answer: Ruptured hollow fibers in the dialyzer bundle, which would allow blood and dialysate to mix during treatment

The pressure test detects broken hollow fibers. Ruptured fibers create a pathway for blood-dialysate mixing, causing a blood leak during treatment. This is a patient safety issue (blood loss, dialysate exposure) and the dialyzer must be immediately discarded.

Which staff member is primarily responsible for ensuring compliance with dialyzer reprocessing protocols?

Answer: The trained dialyzer reprocessing technician, supervised by the facility's biomedical or reprocessing supervisor

Reprocessing is performed by specifically trained technicians under the supervision of a biomedical or reprocessing supervisor. The technician is responsible for following the AAMI/ANSI RD47 standard procedures, performing quality tests, and proper documentation.

A reprocessed dialyzer is inadvertently connected to the wrong patient. What is the correct course of action?

Answer: Stop treatment immediately, remove the dialyzer, document as a sentinel/adverse event, and notify the nephrologist and risk management

Wrong-patient dialyzer use is a serious adverse event. Treatment must be stopped, the event documented as a sentinel event, and the nephrologist and risk management notified. A root cause analysis must follow to prevent recurrence. Both involved patients must be monitored for adverse outcomes.

What is the purpose of the 'disinfectant efficacy test' performed as part of the reprocessing quality program?

Answer: To verify that the disinfectant solution used for reprocessing maintains adequate concentration for sterilization, typically checked by test strips or chemical concentration assay

Disinfectant efficacy testing (e.g., concentration test strips for peracetic acid) confirms the working solution is at the required germicidal concentration. Diluted or expired disinfectant fails to achieve the required log reduction of pathogens, compromising patient safety.