Water treatment for hemodialysis: an update

While nurses may not routinely service the water treatment system or mix the dialysate, they are responsible for understanding all of the clinical ramifications of water treatment and dialysate preparation for hemodialysis as a part of the entire dialysis treatment picture. Although the water treatment system has historically been in the technicians' domain, knowing the technical aspects is important for the entire team to work together to ensure patient safety and well-being. This article describes the composition of water treatment systems for hemodialysis, as well as the monitoring and testing necessary to assure that both water and dialysate are safe for patient use.