Risk of Bacterial Infection Resulting From a Blood Leak During Hemodialysis

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Abstract
Leaks in the Twin Coil Artificial Kidney Machine were investigated for possible contamination of the patient’s blood by the dialysate solution using bacteriological techniques. Our results show that as little as 0.001 cm3 of dialysate is sufficient to produce overwhelming growth in Transfuso Vac pint bottles of blood. Thus, we would have been able to detect even the smallest contamination of blood by dialysate fluid. Although blood in itself has an effect on bacteria, this effect appears easily overcome by introduction of a very small amount of microorganisms. Over a period of 11 months, 58 leaks were detected. In each case the patient’s blood and coil blood were cultured. Sterile cultures were obtained in all cases.

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