Purity and stability of online-prepared hemodiafiltration fluid after storage

Rapid implementation of an emergency on-site CKRT dialysate production system during the COVID-19 pandemic

BACKGROUND

On December 29, 2021, during the delta wave of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the stock of premanufactured solutions used for continuous kidney replacement therapy (CKRT) at the University of New Mexico Hospital (UNMH) was nearly exhausted with no resupply anticipated due to supply chain disruptions. Within hours, a backup plan, devised and tested 18 months prior, to locally produce CKRT dialysate was implemented. This report describes the emergency implementation and outcomes of this on-site CKRT dialysate production system.

METHODS

This is a single-center retrospective case series and narrative report describing and reporting the outcomes of the implementation of an on-site CKRT dialysate production system. All adults treated with locally produced CKRT dialysate in December 2021 and January 2022 at UNMH were included. CKRT dialysate was produced locally using intermittent hemodialysis machines, hemodialysis concentrate, sterile parenteral nutrition bags, and connectors made of 3-D printed biocompatible rigid material. Outcomes analyzed included dialysate testing for composition and microbiologic contamination, CKRT prescription components, patient mortality, sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) scores, and catheter-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs).

RESULTS

Over 13 days, 22 patients were treated with 3,645 L of locally produced dialysate with a mean dose of 20.0 mL/kg/h. Fluid sample testing at 48 h revealed appropriate electrolyte composition and endotoxin levels and bacterial colony counts at or below the lower limit of detection. No CLABSIs occurred within 7 days of exposure to locally produced dialysate. In-hospital mortality was 81.8% and 28-day mortality was 68.2%, though illness severity was high, with a mean SOFA score of 14.5.

CONCLUSIONS

Though producing CKRT fluid with IHD machines is not novel, this report represents the first description of the rapid and successful implementation of a backup plan for local CKRT dialysate production at a large academic medical center in the U.S. during the COVID-19 pandemic. Though conclusions are limited by the retrospective design and limited sample size of our analysis, our experience could serve as a guide for other centers navigating similar severe supply constraints in the future.

The Production, Efficacy, and Safety of Machine-Generated Bicarbonate Solution for Continuous Venovenous Hemodialysis (CVVHD): The Cleveland Clinic Method

RATIONALE & OBJECTIVE

Since 1994, the Nephrology and Hypertension Department at the Cleveland Clinic has prepared and used bicarbonate-based solution for continuous venovenous hemodialysis (CVVHD) using a standard volumetric hemodialysis machine rather than purchasing from a commercial vendor. This report describes the process of producing Cleveland Clinic UltraPure Solution (CCUPS), quality and safety monitoring, economic costs, and clinical outcomes.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective study.

SETTING & PARTICIPANTS

CVVHD experience at Cleveland Clinic, focusing on dialysate production, institutional factors, and patients requiring continuous kidney replacement therapy. Production is shown at www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGQgephMEwA.

OUTCOMES

Feasibility, safety , and cost.

RESULTS

Of 6,426 patients treated between 2011 and 2019 with continuous kidney replacement therapy, 59% were men, 71% were White, 40% had diabetes mellitus, and 74% presented with acute kidney injury. 98% of patients were treated with CVVHD using CCUPS, while the remaining 2% were treated with either continuous venovenous hemofiltration or continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration using commercial solution. The prescribed and delivered effluent doses were 24.8 (IQR) versus 20.7 mL/kg/h (IQR), respectively. CCUPS was as effective in restoring electrolyte and serum bicarbonate levels and reducing phosphate, creatinine, and serum urea nitrogen levels as compared with packaged commercial solution over a 3-day period following initiation of dialysis, with a comparable effluent dose. Among those with acute kidney injury, mortality was similar to that predicted with the 60-day acute kidney injury predicted mortality score (r = 0.997; CI: 0.989-0.999). At our institution, the cost of production for 1 L of CCUPS is $0.67, which is considerably less than the cost of commercially purchased fluid.

LIMITATIONS

Observational design without a rigorous control group.

CONCLUSIONS

CVVHD using locally generated dialysate is safe and cost-effective.