Knowledge of Dialyser Reuse Practice among Medical and Allied Healthcare Professionals Working in Haemodialysis Units: A Cross-sectional Study

2026-04-01

PRE

Gujar, Shreya

Dabholkar, Amita Digambar *

DOI：10.7860/JCDR/2026/86011.23123

Original

Original request for help

Save

Abstract

En 中文

Introduction: Dialyser reuse is commonly practised in resource-limited areas. It allows multiple uses of the same dialyser for one patient. While it is cost-effective and environmentally friendly, it requires strict safety protocols. Aim: To examine the knowledge and practices of dialyser reuse among healthcare professionals in haemodialysis units across Maharashtra, India. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted across dialysis units in the Mumbai, Pune, and Aurangabad regions of Maharashtra, India, from December 2024 to February 2025. A total of 200 participants, which included dialysis technologists, students, and allied healthcare professionals, were included. A validated questionnaire assessed awareness of reprocessing steps, sterilisation agents, eligibility criteria, safety measures, and risks of improper reuse. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics. Results: The mean age of the participants was 21.68 +/- 2.17 years, with the majority of 113 males (56.5%). Among the 102 respondents who preferred reuse, 58 (56.86%) correctly identified the reuse criterion of fibre bundle volume >= 80%, and 51 (50%) recognised the importance of both visualisation and Total Cell Volume (TCV) testing. Renalin was preferred by 83 (81.37%), but only 32 (31.37%) knew the correct dilution. Manual reprocessing was more common at 54 (52.94%) compared to automated methods at 45 (44.11%). Reported issues with single-use dialysers included single-use syndrome at 66 (64.70%) and hypotension at 25 (24.5%). Clotting was the top reason for dialyser rejection at 77 (75.4%). Pyrogen reactions were noted as the main drawback of reuse at 69 (67.6%). Overall, only 40-45% of participants demonstrated consistent, satisfactory knowledge across these areas. Conclusion: The findings reveal a basic awareness of reuse practices but highlight significant gaps in knowledge regarding validation tests, sterilant concentrations, and safety concerns. Structured training, regular refresher sessions, and competency evaluations are necessary to close this knowledge-practice gap and ensure safe, standardised dialyser reuse in haemodialysis care.

Keywords:

Attitudes

Cross-infection control

Equipment reuse

Health knowledge

Renal dialysis

Knowledge of Dialyser Reuse Practice among Medical and Allied Healthcare Professionals Working in Haemodialysis Units: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Journal

Organization