Retrofit of Heat Exchangers to Haemodialysis Machines - Case Study and How to Guide

Setting/Patient Group: Dialysis Units (Trust-wide)

Issue to be addressed:

Dialysing machines warm the dialysate fluid to just below body temperature for patient comfort. The method of warming varies with some machines using a thermostat-controlled heaters.

Some machines have a heat exchanger incorporated into the system before this heater which is more energy efficient and can reduce the environmental impact of a haemodialysis treatment.

Intervention:

• Retro-fitting heat exchangers to existing Braun Dialog+ haemodialysis machines.
• Creation of ‘How to guide’ for others to explore the practicalities and financial benefits of retro-fit heat exchangers.

Outcome:

Social

• Maintaining patient comfort during treatment.

Environmental

• Projected annual carbon saving 22.6 tonnes across Trust’s 83 machines.

Economic

• Investment cost for heat exchanger of £189/machine, could be recouped within four years of use.
• Following this four year period, estimated annual savings £3988.15

Key learning point 

The case study and discussion outlined above includes most of the information required to develop a sound business case for a programme to retro-fit heat exchangers to existing dialysis machines.

See full report for 'How to Guide'