Design requirements for a water distribution system in a hemodialysis center

Water systems are an integral part of the dialysis facility. They are vital to the safe and effective treatment of the patient. There are a variety of components used to supply water to each dialysis machine. Part of this system of components is the piping used to distribute this water There are specific flow velocities required that minimize bacterial adhesion to the piping system . The purpose of this article is to help with the design of a water distribution system that will maintain adequate flow velocities throughout the entire system. This article presents a new approach toward designing the water distribution system for the hemodialysis center This educational article has been especially designed to provide one (1) contact hour (CH) credit for registered nurses (RNs), Patient Care Technicians (PCTs), Biomedical and Equipment Technicians, and other direct-care personnel who are licensed and certified by the Board of Registered Nursing (BRN) of California. Most (not all) American states recognize and accept the California BRN-certified CHs. Thus, most American healthcare personnel can receive CHs-which are applicable for recertification or relicensure-from reading this article and then answering a post-test (see sidebar). There is no charge to receive the CH credit. It is the reader responsibility to contact his/her BRN, its equivalent, or other certifying bodies prior to submitting this post-test for CH credits to determine acceptability by the reader state and/or certifying agency.