Hello all!

I know this topic has been brought up so many times but this is my scenario.

We're using fairly new 2008 K Machines which are still under warranty. Now, I've fixed many low flow error problems in the past but this is ridiculous. The staff have been complaining about 6-8 machines always alarming low flow error during treatment. I pull the machine and hook it up in my room and.. tada.... no problem at all.

They're getting flow errors, online pht failures, tmp problems, etc. Now as I said, these machines are fairly new (Oct. 2006) can the pumps or whatever it is all go whack at the same time? Has this happened to anyone else who had new K machines?

At times there's no problem, maybe 1 low flow error but it goes away. Then I get a call and the staff is telling me that there's 6 machines that are low flow error.

Should I observe how the dialyzer is connected, how the hoses are placed, any suggestions?? Sorry all, I'm just frustrated with this (venting), especially with the staff.

Thanks

With that many machines alarming, I'd look at your RO water loop. Are you getting enough water to the machines. Your tech loop may be up to pressure, but perhaps you have a leak somewhere in the clinical loop. I know it's tough when everybody's looking to you for answers, stay calm ( if possible), but I'd first look at what might be affecting the machines.
Is it their location? Same stations always having problems? Good luck, and let us know what happens.

i would agree with botech.
what flow rate are the machines set for?
i assume these replaced older machines, if so, what was the flow of the older machines?
good luck

Well they used to use Braun Machines and I wasn't with this clinic at that time. I started here when the K machines replaced the Braun. They use a flow rate of a500 or a800, I'm thinking it may be the Diasafe? But I'll let you guys know what happened. Thanks for your help though, I appreciate it. Anymore feedback would help a bunch too =)

<B>, I have a bunch of new K's(mar 06) and have had a number of deareation pump pressures wander slightly causing trouble and some that would low flow error only at 800. On one machine, all the pressures were good but found out CFS was bad, problem solved. If your loop pressures are good and you still have multiple flow errors, I wouldn't discount the fact that your machines are breaking in and all may need tweaking. Hope this helps.

Good stuff, Also, check to see if the staff are filling for bicarbonate mixing at this time. This will deplete the normal flow to the machines, creating "No Water" and "Flow Errors. Also, Is the reuse tech trying to start-up the Renatron along with the bicarbonate filling?

I hope this assist you, let us know what you find.

we had the same problem with 2 month old k machines. it turned out it was the diasafe filters clogging up. i replaced the filters and no trouble since. fresenius blames it on their techs not rinsing the machines long enough to get out the glycerin and formaldhyde that they were packed in. who knows, but they sent to me free replacement filters.

Breakpar, I was wondering where is there formaldehyde? My DiaSafes come dry.

B, have you called Fresenius since the machines are under warranty? The Fresenius service manager for my area is outstanding. He usually calls before dispatching a technician. I have found him to be an excellent diagnostics tech. No offense to the techs who answer the phone calls, but the service manager is a little better. After all, he is trying to save Fresenius money by not sending a tech out if there is a simple fix. If he does have to send a tech out, he tells them the exact troubleshooting sequence he wants them to follow.

nonameuno - the filters do come dry, but new machines are shipped with a combination of glycerin and formalin in the hydraulics.

quote:

Originally posted by breakpar:
nonameuno - the filters do come dry, but new machines are shipped with a combination of glycerin and formalin in the hydraulics.

I had forgotten that. Thanks.

y chance that residual formaldehyde is getting to the patients? Lets hope that it is just glycerin thats causing the problem. And I just happened to look at a Fresenius Installation sheet two days ago and I noticed that they have an extra 30 minute rinse indicated if there is going to be a Diasafe installed.

look no further than the diasafe filter, if they are the diasafe plus. I had exactly the same problem. Make sure you change them quarterly, if they make it that long.