Dr ADRINA BENEDICT1, PROF RATHIKA KRISHNASAMY, DR JANE WAUGH
1Princess Alexandria Hospital, , Australia, 2Sunshine Coast University Hospital, , Australia, 3Griffith University, , Australia
Biography:
Jane Waugh is a nephrologist on the Sunshine Coast and co-chair of the ANZSN's Environmental Sustainability Committee
Aim:
This study compared the estimated annual disinfection-related consumption of citric acid, power and water. It also compared waste generation from disinfectant packaging between four haemodialysis machines available in Australia.
Background:
Disinfection of dialysis machines is crucial for safe dialysis provision, but is responsible for consumption of significant power, water, and associated waste generation. There is limited data comparing the impact of disinfection on resources and waste generation from disinfectant packaging that could guide environmentally conscious procurement decisions in dialysis units nationwide.
Methods:
This project compared four haemodialysis machines available in Australia; the B.Braun Dialog iQ, Fresenius 5008, Nipro Surdial-X, and Vantive Artis Physio. Disinfection-related consumption of citric acid, power and water for each machine were collated from publicly available product manuals and cleaning guides. Packaging of disinfectants was weighed twice for comparison. The data was extrapolated to determine estimated annual disinfection-related consumption and waste generation, assuming twice daily dialysis treatments, six days per week.
Results:
The recommended disinfection schedule differed between machines. Despite this, power consumption was similar between machines, ranging from 424kWh to 499kWh per machine annually. Water use was also similar, ranging from 6708L to 8736L per machine annually. Citric acid consumption for disinfection was lowest for Nipro Surdial-X (16,224mls annually) and highest for B.Braun Dialog iQ (81,120mls annually). Estimated annual waste generation from disinfectant packaging varied between machines with 5824g by Vantive Artis Physio (including individual plastic disinfectant and weekly degrease), 3756g by B.Braun Dialog iQ, 2948g by Fresenius 5008 and 749g by Nipro Surdial-X.
Conclusion:
Water and power consumption were comparable between machines, but notable differences were observed in citric acid usage and waste generated from disinfectants packaging.