Systematic review of dialysis prescriptions (use of dialysate autoflow facility)

A systematic review of haemodialysis prescriptions was undertaken to optimise and reduce the consumption of water, acid and bicarbonate, by using the dialysate autoflow facility on the Fresenius 5008 machine. Prior to implementation, patients dialysing using the Fresenius 5008 machine used either a 500mls/min or 800 mls/min dialysate flow. Following implementation of this change the options were 500mls/min or autoflow. Autoflow sets the dialysate flow rate to 1.5 times the blood flow rate. Therefore a patient dialysing with a 400mls/min blood flow would have a reduced dialysis fluid flow (600mls/min compared to a previous setting of 800 mls/min). This would allow the use 650g bibags rather than 900g bibags in addition to reduced consumption of water and acid concentrate.