NAC449.5265. Reuse of hemodialyzer; transport of used dialyzer.

     1. If a facility reuses any hemodialyzer in providing treatment to a patient of the facility, the facility shall:

     (a) Ensure that the reuse of the hemodialyzer is conducted in accordance with the provisions of the American National Standard, Water Treatment Equipment for Hemodialysis Applications, adopted by reference pursuant to the provisions of NAC 449.520.

     (b) Ensure that each transducer protector used during the treatment is:

          (1) Replaced, if it becomes wet during the treatment; and

          (2) Used only for one treatment.

     (c) Ensure that, in any area of the facility in which the reuse occurs, the supply of water in that area incorporates a mechanism to prevent any chemical agents from flowing into the water distribution system of the facility.

     (d) Ensure that any ventilation system installed in an area specified in paragraph (c):

          (1) Is connected to an exhaust system that:

               (I) Leads to the outside of the building in which the room is located; and

               (II) Is separate from the exhaust system of the building;

          (2) Has an exhaust fan that is located at the discharge end of the ventilation system;

          (3) Has a system of exhaust ducts that is constructed of material that is noncombustible and resistant to corrosion; and

          (4) Has an exhaust outlet that is located above the level of the roof of the building to which the exhaust outlet is attached, and if more than one exhaust outlet is installed, the facility shall ensure that each of those outlets is arranged in such a manner as to minimize any recirculation of exhaust air into the building.

     (e) Adopt and comply with a policy that sets forth the criteria for reuse, including the number of reuses allowed by the facility.

     (f) Ensure that access to an area of the facility specified in paragraph (c) is restricted to persons who are authorized by the facility to enter that area.

     (g) Before providing treatment to the patient:

          (1) Consider and address the health and safety of the patient if he or she is sensitive to disinfectant solution residuals;

          (2) Provide to the patient information regarding the policy of reuse for the facility and the opportunity to submit and receive a response to questions concerning the reuse; and

          (3) Obtain written consent for the reuse from the patient or legal representative of the patient.

     2. A facility shall not transport any dialyzer that has been used in the treatment of a patient of the facility or allow a person to transport that dialyzer for reprocessing to a location that is off the premises of the facility unless the facility:

     (a) Requires the use of automated equipment at that location to reprocess the dialyzer;

     (b) Remains responsible for the entire process of reuse;

     (c) Adopts and complies with a policy which ensures that the transfer and transportation of any used or reprocessed dialyzer to and from the location does not increase the contamination of the dialyzer, the environment or any member of the staff of the facility; and

     (d) Allows an employee of the Bureau to enter the off-site reprocessing site as part of any inspection of the facility conducted by the Bureau.

     (Added to NAC by Bd. of Health by R130-99, eff. 8-1-2001; A by R075-04, 8-5-2004)