I'm working on a new project and being asked for specs for "generic" hook-ups for dialysis equip. Have most of it, but confused if I should ask for both hot and cold water hook-ups? Have seen specs on Cobe, Baxter, Fresenius and some cite water temperatures, but not sure if this is supply or if the equipment "heats" the water itself. How can I provide a hook-up that will fit many machines? Thanks all.

Working backwards:

The dialysis machine has a standard 3/4" female thread "garden hose" connector on the water supply line - at the dialysis station you would need a 3/4" male "garden hose" connector to attach the machines supply hose to the treated water outlet.

A number of companys make specialty dialysis station boxes which include the water hook-up, dialysis machine drain collector and concentrate (acidified / bicarbonate) connectors.

Regarding temperature regulation:

The water supplied to the dialysis machine must be water that has been treated (purified / filtered) - the temperature of this water is established at the beginning of the water treatment system by using a tempering valve tha blends hot and cold tap water to a prescribed temperature - optimal temp for treatment by reverse osmosis is 77 degress F - the blended water is then processed through the various water treatment devices and is then stored in a storage tank or fed directly to piping that supplies the dialysis stations.

The dialysis machine then heats the water to be mixed with the acidified / bicarbonate concentrates to normal body temperature approximately 38 degrees C.

Please feel free to email me if you need more detail.

I would recommend that you contact a water treatment vendor that has experience in water for Dialysis. They would be able to ask you specific questions that would help you spec what you need. At my facility we used Mar Cor Services and they were a great help.

I would check the October 2002 issue of Dialysis and Transplantation. It gives an good description of a water system. Including flow velocities. The temperature to the RO should be at approx. 77 F as Dennis stated. In many northern states this is a serious problem in the winter. The only solution for this is a mixing valve. This mixes hot and cold water to give you a steady output temp. Most dialysis facilities up north use mixing valves. And most have very sizable water heaters. The other issue is can your water heater keep up with the flow required for dialysis? And then you also have the issue of backflow preventers.

Thanks for the help on water treatment, temperature and hook-ups for dialysis. I SO HAPPY to have had the opportunity to ask the question and pleased for the prompt response.

WCoast Clueless