Could we use the 3K bath to replace vinegar to disinfect the machines at the end of the night? They both are effective in breaking down bi-carb crystals.
We use both Vinegar and 3k to CLEAN our machines at the end of the night. This does not disinfect them. We plug our blue wands into the vinegar and the red wand into the bath. You can use either 2k or 3k, it doesn't matter which one you use they both work. Please just make sure that you at heat disinfect or chemical rinse the machines after you have vinegar CLEANED the machines. I've never heard of using strictly vinegar to clean a machine, we have always used the combination. There is no regulation saying you have to use a certain bath, as long as the bath is usable by a patient.
we use citric acid that we mix in our bicarb mixer and fill into the 2.5gal vinegar jugs you get from FMC. We drilled a hole in the end opposite the white wand and inserted a red wand. When we acid clean our machines we plug the red to red and blue to white and away we go. The citric acid is cheaper than vinegar and you don't get clogged filters from mother in the jugs. Once a month we just disinfect them with bleach.
And San Augustine is correct. This is for descaling only. You still need to use bleach or heat disinfect afterwards.
<amario132>
Posted
Citric, how much are u guys saving. is it worth the man power.
The following link should answer some of your questions about CA vs. VINEGAR. Should you have more questions about saving money, contact RPC. They will be happy to assist you on pricing.
Keep it straight amario132: Vinegar and citric acid are de-scaling (cleaning) agents and not disinfectants. Many have speculated as to the efficacy of acid concentrate as a de-scaler but generally shy away from having the staff getting used to seeing the bicarbonate wand connected to a container of acid concentrate. Theoretically, acid concentrate may work as a de-scaler but the outcome of the procedure may not be worth additional problems that may occur.
<breakpar now>
Posted
We do the same as san augustine. Plug the bicarb in vinegar and the acid connector stays in the 1k, 2k,or 3k port. then we heat disinfect or do the once a week bleach. No problems that I have seen.
<amario132>
Posted
I think im going to citric acid.. Its less money n effective.. So why not. Using concentrate and vinegar is too much for the staff... I wish someone had the procedure for the citric acid,...
<Guest>
Posted
I have been in dialysis for 20 plus years, and have always used vinegar for both acid and bicarb pumps. Than perform disinfection. I have found that both acid/bicarb pumps are cleaner when it is time to rebuild them. Vinegar is way cheap and cleans very good. Just my thought!
<amario132>
Posted
thats very important Guest. thank you. Have anyone face any machine corrosion/parts braking at a faster pace if citric acid not mixed correctly.
<Guest 2>
Posted
Same as Guest. Have been in dialysis 6 1/2 years and have always used straight vinegar with acid and bicarb plugged in it. Never had any issues with it.
