Panic value

misti_z · Sep 1, 2001

Why that would not matter I'm not sure. I do not work HD, I'm on a renal unit with the majoritiy on HD, although we do transplants as well.

But I believe that LAL detects gram negative bacteria, maybe it does penetrate the membrane or is filtered out.

Would like to know more as to why it's no biggie, that's interesting.

If you get a straight answer let us know. :)

ValWai · Oct 19, 2001

The action limit of endotoxin concentration in our centre is 1EU/ml. If the result from the lab. showed panic value, the level must have exit the alert limit. Do your patients exibit S/S suchas fever, chills, shock.... If yes, it's obvious that there is something wrong with the water.

GTS · Sep 9, 2003

Ladies (and Gentleman if present). The reason why such a staggering endotoxin value is not actually a problem is because it is most likely erroneous. The likely hood of developing such a problem with your endotoxins in a short period of time is very small. When your inquiry, JRT, was shrugged off, the reason was most likely because they were going to do a retest. It's not uncommon to have a false high reading on a bacteria or endotoxin test due to user contamination and/or other factors. A second test will usually reveal a more probable number. You should have seen one of my C.D.'s reaction when her RO product came back

babs_rn · Sep 10, 2003

My concern is ... why is it present in BOTH dialyzers AND RO water? Might not be such a false value, though I do agree the patients would be showing symptoms if it weren't...definitely calls for a retest....BTW,,why is a NURSE dealing with this and not a biomed tech?

jnette, ASN, EMT-I · Sep 10, 2003

Yes, a retest is mandatory anytime your reaults are not WNL. The test is to be done the same day. I did reuse for several years, and was resposible for all the LALs and other waterchecks. If you ARE getting high counts of bacteria, I would cetainly let somebody in the Tech dept. know.. often the nurses don't deal with this end of it. Although the DON should be fully aware of ALL aspects of even the water testing, etc. We nurses have to go through annual inservices on all the water system as well. But I'd be calling the chief tech if I were you (after your retest) if it's still elevated. I wouldn't wait 'til the patients START showing symptoms... get it looked into ASAP if your count is still high. If the machine dialysate LALs are high, too, you've got trouble there. Protect your patients... then CYA and make sure someone up the ladder is informed.

Babs.. we (nurses) all have to do the waterchecks where I work along with the techs (we only have one).. we all take turns.. a different person each day. So yes, we do the culture paddles, LALs, the whole bit. Really kinds sux, considreing all the other NURSING responsibilies we have as well.

GTS · Sep 10, 2003

Both dialyzers? Well... generally that would indicate either A) someone is not performing the reuse correctly or B) a bad lot of LAL tubes is being used to perform the tests C) using non-aseptic technique or D) a water system problem. You can narrow it down to B&C by having the person who draws the samples do a sample on a bottle of sterile water. Good luck with the other two. Lol. Hope that helps.