What is the purpose of the tranducer filter in the venous module, the one with the sealed end. I have a chief tech who totally removed them in about a half a doz. H-mach. because the external TP's kept filling up. He stated that "he didn't see why it was there". This really scares me, "If it didn't have a purpose, it wouldn't be there. Thanks

the internal transducer filter protecters are there to keep blood from getting blood into the internal pressure transducer. If the transducer connected to the line gets blood in it you are suppose to pull the module and check for blood inside of the internal transducer. There have been cases when the DPC staff never hooked up an external transducer.

the internal transducer also protects the pressure transducer from fluid, which could damage it and could also be a source of cross contamination. 1234 is correct anytime the external transducer gets wet the module should be pulled and the internal transducer needs to be checked (especially if it is overflowed with blood). I have seen a few (rare) situations that the internal transducer was actually saturated with blood.
Ask your chief tech if he's ever heard of cross contamination?????!!!!! OR BETTER YET ask him if he ever heard of liability due to UNAUTHORIZED equipment modification???!! he's putting patients at risk because "he doesn't understand the purpose".

How did this guy become a chief technician?

My guess is that the guy that removed the internal transducer protectors never heard of redundancy in medical equipment. I hope he doesn't go into aviation for his next career!!!

I also hope that he did not remove the internal transducer protectors from the arterial line inside the blood pump modules also. At this point, EVERY ONE OF YOUR MACHINES NEEDS TO BE INSPECTED IMMEDIATELY and those modules which have been altered need to have those internal transducer protectors replaced with a new part, and proper calibration done of the venous pressure, or the arterial pressure if they are missing from the blood pumps as well. The part is relatively cheap from Fresenius, around $13.00. By the way, the internal transducer protector for the arterial pressure in a K machine blood pump module is different than the H machine part, although the venous one is the smae as the H part. Sorry that I do not have the part numbers and price readily available right now. And remember that with the holidays coming up Fresenius Parts Department will be closed so get your order in now, and pay the extra charge to have them shipped overnight.

I BELEIVE THE TRANDUCER "GUEST" IS ASKING ABOUT IS THE SECOND ONE IN THE VENOUS MODUAL. ( THE ONE THAT IS SEALED UP. NOT THE ONE BEHIND THE EXTERIER ONE. AM I CORRECT ON THIS "GUEST"??

yes, oldman you are right it is the second one

Correct me if I am wrong but isn't the second tp inside the machine the source for the air to adjust the drip chamber level.In that usage the tp is used to provide clean air to the system.And is not redundent.( see Molded Products strike through indicater) Harlow

Anyone have a comment on the reason for the second tp ????????? Harlow

Comments???????

please do not take my word for this!!
go to google and look up internal transducer hbv
you see it is there for the safty of the patient!
if your tech has removed it---your patients are in danger of hiv, hbv, and other problems

TP between pump and 3way valve is partly to prevent debris (dust etc.)from getting in that loop.