Improving water quality in a dialysis unit using root cause analysis.

BACKGROUND: Water quality levels from hemodialysis (HD) and reverse osmosis (RO) machines in dialysis units must meet standards set by the American Association of Medical Instrumentation. Researchers used a root cause analysis (RCA) approach to identify and address factors affecting water quality in the HD and portable RO machines at our institution.

METHODS: A multidisciplinary team reviewed processes, interviewed staff members, and identified opportunities to improve the current sampling and machine disinfection processes. The RCA team identified and implemented 5 interventions, of which 3 were process (changes in water sampling technique, machine disinfection processes, and allocation of machine maintenance duties) and 2 were structural (regular cleaning of water sampling tubes and spigots and addition of new water sampling sites in the system) measures.

RESULTS: Postimplementation of new protocols, 100% of water cultures of HD and RO machines consistently met the required regulatory standards as recorded over a period of 8 months.

CONCLUSIONS: RCA approach helped improve patient safety, quality of care, streamlined processes, and improved efficiencies of work for staff within the HD program.