CHLORINE DIOXIDE - A NEW AGENT FOR DIALYSIS MONITOR DISINFECTION IN APEDIATRIC CENTER

In order to evaluate the bacterial and endotoxin contamination in the dialysis fluids of our pediatric center and the effectiveness of chlor ine dioxide (CD) compared with a conventional method, (1) deionized wa ter, (2) dialysate fluid, (3) basic concentrate, and (4) acid concentr ate were tested in 4 dialysis machines. Monitor sterilization was made using CD in protocol A and sodium hypochlorite/acetic acid in protoco l B. Once every 2 weeks the deionized water set of distribution was ro utinely disinfected with peracetic acid. Each protocol lasted 1 month and the samples were taken, under aseptic conditions, on the 15th, 22n d and 27th day. All samples, at all stages of the study, showed an end otoxin concentration below the limits recommended by the Canadian Stan dard Association. Fifty-nine out of 72 samples in A and 62 out of 72 s amples in B showed a bacterial count within the range recommended by t he Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation. The dat a show that both protocols produced the same results. However, protoco l A is to be preferred for its simultaneous disinfecting-cleaning and descaling activity which proves time-saving.