[nurseasia94]

We started CRRT recently and one of the nurses thought that reusing effluent bags opens up the system to bacterial contamination. She suggested using new bags whenever the effluent bags are full. Any thoughts?

[aklrnbn]

We use new bags when changing the effluent, yet I hear in the 'olden days' they did reuse them. Probably changed d/t contamination issues.

[Dinith88]

Originally Posted by nurseasia94

We started CRRT recently and one of the nurses thought that reusing effluent bags opens up the system to bacterial contamination. She suggested using new bags whenever the effluent bags are full. Any thoughts?

I dont beieve you're more likely to contaminate the system.

If you're worried about exposing the system to air, you'd be doing that whether or not you're changing bags or just emptying them.

We generally just empty them. The gambro representatives i've spoken with (they're the crrt reps right?) have never suggested changing effluent bags with each emptying.

[TennRN2004]

We also resuse the effluent bags. The only place to get new effluent bags at my hospital is when you open a new filter, it is in the packet with the new filters. The expense of opening a new filter each time you need an effluent bag would be cost prohibitive where I work. I am sure they probably make effluent bags separately, but we don't stock them. We actually have a stash that we squirrel away when we open a new filter and don't need the effluent bag.

[JenSICU_CCRN]

We also reuse the bags too.....hope this helps.

Jenny

[JiffyGriff]

We reuse the bags. The system drains into the bags, there is no reflux whatsoever so there is no chance for any kind of infection.

[ICURN_NC]

We always use new effluent bags.

[km5v6r]

Think of the effulent bag as a giant foley bag. You don't change out the foley bag every time it is full, you don't have to change out the effulent bag. It may be easier to change it out but it isn't necessary from an infection control view.

[koyeh]

Hi, we are using the prismalex machines and it is recomended to change the bag every time but we do not at our hospital. The bags are breaking, is any one else having this problem?

[JenSICU_CCRN]

We have never had a problem with the bags breaking at our facility.

Jenny