I have questions regarding an automated bicarb mixing/distribution system. #1) What is the process/procedure to disinfect the actual system. I know it is done on a weekly basis, but how exactly is it done, what safeguards are in place to insure no residual disinfectant is found at the stations, after disinfecting are the systems emptied, or is R/O water left in the system until a new batch is introduced, and how/why is this better than mixing and distributing in jugs? #2)How much bicarb is used/wasted during A.M start-up? Much appreciation in advance....
<Shadow>
Posted
The way it is disinfected depends an the type of mixer you get or have. Usally the manufacturer has a procedure in the operators manual that will tell you how to do the disinfect and rinse. As for residual disinfect at the bicarb ports, most procedures have you flush the ports with the disinfect and then flush them again during the rinse and use some type of residual strip to check that there is no residual disinect left in them. As for water left in the system, I have seen some company's recirc water overnight through the loop and some that don't. That will be up to the manufacture recomendation or your company policy. As for the waste of bicarb in the A.M. startup - that all depends on how long your loop is to purge the water out of it from the previous days rinse.
<Arktech>
Posted
Thank You shadow. That kind of answers my questions. I was hoping people who actually use a delivery system could tell me what they do for their particular systems. I know bicarb mixers are bleached weekly, and vinegar cleaned, but I am looking for more precise procedures..not from a specific manufacturer, but from the common guy who deals with this process week after week.
<Shadow>
Posted
I have a disinfect procedure for a Zyzatech SDS sytem that I can send to you.
<botech>
Posted
You really need the manufacturers recommended disinfection procedure. I use ozone once a week. A bicarb mixing and distribution unit saves a lot of jug washing. If you are getting the Zyzatech (now Mar-Cor) system ( which is what I use), take up <shadow>'s procedure offer.
<Arktech>
Posted
Thank you Shadow and botech. I have a procedure manual for a betterwater system but it does not answer questions about the actual bicarb loop sanitize. It pertains mostly to the actual mixer/mixing tanks. Assuming an ozone sanitize is not going to be used I was interested in what existing clinics do as far as the actual loop. Is water left in the loop overnight? Is it emptied? Who is responsible for testing every bedside delivery station for residual sterilant? I am curious about the ozone sterilize..How does that work?
<Guest>
Posted
I also use Better Water- This is what I do...
At night- they rinse the tanks with RO water and leave the water recirculating in the loop-(they usually fill one tank to 40 gallons, purge about 20 gallons to the drain to get the bicarb out- then both tanks are filled to 20 gallons for the night, both tanks on line and circulating.
Disinfecting- the MT (me) does the disinfecting- some units I guess the PCT do it. Every Sunday I put 1 gallon of Vinegar to 20 gallons of RO water in one tank- Flush the loop to drain- while this is happening, I put RO water in the other tank- After Vinegar I flush with RO water,once clear, I add my bleach- fill the tanks to the top, drain one while the other is still online, rinse clear, fill with RO water then rinse the loop with that tank until clear, rinse the other tank, when I am done I also put 20 gallons in each tank and leave them both online. disinfecting takes me about 1.5 hours- we have 23 stations- loop holds about 18 gallons. During disinfect is when I plug a blue wand into each bicarb station- check for bleach- once my loop is clear, i check all the stations. This is the policy we used for REnal Care Group with a Better Water system. Now we are Fresenius, but all the other fresenius clinics in my area have Marcor systems and they do it different. So we still have the same policy. Hope this helps.
<Arktech>
Posted
Guest..THANK YOU!!! That is exactly what I needed. I am not planning to use your protocol, I simply needed information on how "some" clinics perform this function in a general manner. I very much appreciate your input!!!
Originally posted by Guest: I also use Better Water- This is what I do...
At night- they rinse the tanks with RO water and leave the water recirculating in the loop-(they usually fill one tank to 40 gallons, purge about 20 gallons to the drain to get the bicarb out- then both tanks are filled to 20 gallons for the night, both tanks on line and circulating.
Disinfecting- the MT (me) does the disinfecting- some units I guess the PCT do it. Every Sunday I put 1 gallon of Vinegar to 20 gallons of RO water in one tank- Flush the loop to drain- while this is happening, I put RO water in the other tank- After Vinegar I flush with RO water,once clear, I add my bleach- fill the tanks to the top, drain one while the other is still online, rinse clear, fill with RO water then rinse the loop with that tank until clear, rinse the other tank, when I am done I also put 20 gallons in each tank and leave them both online. disinfecting takes me about 1.5 hours- we have 23 stations- loop holds about 18 gallons. During disinfect is when I plug a blue wand into each bicarb station- check for bleach- once my loop is clear, i check all the stations. This is the policy we used for REnal Care Group with a Better Water system. Now we are Fresenius, but all the other fresenius clinics in my area have Marcor systems and they do it different. So we still have the same policy. Hope this helps.
