Electrical safety in dialysis

Abstract

Electrical hazards in dialysis equipment arise from the unintended passage of electric current through the patient. The main primary electrical hazards are described, and typical thresholds quoted. The complete dialysis installation is considered in some detail, bearing in mind the recently published British Standard on the Safety of Electromedical Equipment, BS5724, Part 1. The microshock risk from leakage and fault currents flowing through the patient via the dialyser and lines is assessed and found to be of very little significance. Equipment that has been constructed to BS 5724 should not, by its design, give rise to primary electrical hazards. The continuing safety of dialysis installations can, however, only be ensured by regular routine testing, and suitable tests are described. It is concluded that, with regularly maintained and tested equipment, dialysis should be considered a relatively safe procedure as far as primary electrical hazards are concerned.