Had a quick question:

Is there a regulation that is against having vinegar and vinegar jugs, permanently stationed at each station, on each machine? The unit is fairly small, and we are running out of room. Thanks for future answers.

Hey John,
I don't remember reading or hearing anything that says you can't, outside of keeping up with expirations or external cleaning.
Used to have Bleach jugs that stayed on the backs of the C3s at all times.

Brian,

What do you use to label your acid jugs? Our jugs say "Acetic Acid (5%)", should they be labled in some way, such as: Date, Time, Exp, Initials? The reason I ask is because I thought vinegar, since it is used so fast, did not have to be labled with an expiration etc..

At our unit, the policy is not to have anything on the machine or behind the machine that can cross contaminate patients. I believe this is also a CMS reg.

What if the jug was disinfected externally before the next patient?

I would think that having anything on the machine that can inadvertently be connected while a patient is on dialysis should be prohibited (i.e. bleach or vinegar).
Just my thoughts

Some of what may be is whether or not you are refilling "large" jugs, there has been concern in some states (specifically Tx) regarding yeast growth in vinegar that can comtaminant equipment. If you are using the gallon jugs that the vinegar came in no additional labeling should be required. It is when you use a "secondary container" that all the OSHA stuff kicks in

Sorry John, we don't label either. I assumed that by a 'small unit' meant low volumes so expiration may have been needed... shows what assuming does.

PLEASE NO only put acid and bicarb on the machine - there will be a pct or nurse that will plug vinegar or bleach in to the machine with a patient on the machine if it is not there there is no risk, i think it would be covered under the guides of save practice.also the container would need to be bleached between every patient making more work for the pct

The Dialog machine has a citric acid jug hooked up at all times sitting on the back of the machine.The machine tests the integrity of the disinfection valve prior to therapy.

me,

This is a 2008K machine. We do not have this feature (citric acid hook ups on back of machine).

ohmygolly,
I understand what you're saying, but I have no say-so. I just give my two-cents to them and they take it with a grain of salt.

To prove my point I would need specific regulatory literature.

If anyone can provide manufacture recommendation or mandated regs it would really help.

Thanks everyone,

John H.

NOTE: This is my professional OPINION. You should be cautious about taking advice from a forum.

Many manufacturers have shelves for bleach and vinegar(Baxter 1550, Gambro Phoenix) jugs. These cannot be accidentily attached to the bicarb or acid lines because thier respective connectors do not mate. I do not believe there are any regs with regard to this topic. If there are, please post on this forum. In our clinic(Gambro Phoenix) the bleach and vinegar jugs(they are in thier original jugs, no pouring or relabelling required)are considered part of the machine and are cleaned and wiped down like the rest of the machine between treatments. When they run empty, staff replace with a fresh jug and rinse and recycle the empty jugs.