2019 Volume 10 Issue 2 Pages 143-147
A reverse osmosis (RO) water circulation unit was developed to decrease endotoxin (ET) activity and viable bacteria count in an individual dialysis system. The system along with the RO unit was introduced to a ward with four beds for severe patients, where the equipment necessary for an intensive care unit (ICU) was available (i.e., a functional ICU). This system, which chiefly comprises an RO tank and a circulation pump, receives RO feed water from an individual RO unit and supplies RO water to the loop pipe. In the present study, we determined ET activity and viable bacterial count in RO water in the circulation line of the system. Samples were collected from the water feed line, water supply line, and RO tank. We found that ET activity and viable bacteria count were maintained at ＜0.0001 EU/mL (which is below the measurement sensitivity) and 0–0.03 CFU/mL, respectively. Therefore, we consider that this RO water circulation unit is beneficial for use with an individual dialysis system because it facilitates a stable supply of high quality RO water.
