Y2K: Quality of Water Could be Issue for Dialysis Centers, Notes ECRI

PLYMOUTH MEETING, Pa., Nov. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- The Y2K problem will create a unique set of challenges for dialysis centers. They must ensure that they will continue to receive a sufficient quantity of water to continue operations. And, just as important, they must be prepared to address a sudden decrease in water quality, according to the November 1999 issue of ECRI's journal, Health Devices. In this issue, ECRI, a nonprofit health services research agency, identifies five steps to safeguarding hemodialysis water quality should a problem arise due to Y2K or some other potential disaster. In their Y2K contingency plans, many facilities have accounted for having enough water, but some may not be prepared to address a loss in water quality. A water contamination problem could be fatal for dialysis patients, whose blood is cleansed with dialysate made with water taken from the facility's water supply. In most cases, the water is treated to be of drinking-water quality outside the dialysis center, then is further treated to be of dialysis quality inside the center. A problem such as a Y2K glitch that affects either treatment could affect dialysate quality. ECRI recommends five steps for facilities to help protect patients from Y2K or other problems affecting its dialysis water supply. Each of these steps is described in the article:

-- Certifying Y2K compliance of water treatment equipment -- Partnering with your local water supplier -- Preparing equipment -- Increasing monitoring -- Developing an emergency plan

Health Devices is ECRI's monthly journal for healthcare technology decision makers. Since 1971, Health Devices has provided healthcare professionals with technology guidance and advice based on rigorous laboratory testing, independent analyses, and sound technical judgment. Health Devices is probably best known for its comparative Evaluations of brand-name medical devices and systems. But the journal also features detailed model-specific reports of device-related hazards (with recommendations for action) and a variety of other articles to help healthcare professionals select, use, maintain, and manage the safest and most cost-effective technologies.

-- Roland (nottelling@nohwere.com), November 19, 1999