GE F-801 - Manual (Page 69)

F-801 Internal RO System by GE Osmonics
12552e – 27 Feb 04 4- 29 Routine Maintenance
4.5 Product Water Culture
FREQUENCY: Once a month or more often, depending upon culture results, and unit
protocol. We recommend before and after disinfection.
Materials Required:
• Bucket or similar container
• Sterile specimen container, such as Millipore (red) or 3M Commercial Standard
Plate count sampler, or a container your lab may require
RATIONALE: This procedure will help ensure that the microbial count of the product
(RO) water falls within the AAMI Hemodialysis Water Standard. The AAMI standard
maximum allowable concentration for bacteria in product water is 200 colony-forming
units. A bacterial count above the maximum level may be harmful to the hemodialysis
patient.
OTHER: Consult your lab to find out what type of sterile container to use and how
much product (RO) water is required to perform the test. Make certain that your
laboratory is informed of the correct procedure for performing a product water culture.
A "spread plate method" NOT a "calibrated loop" technique should be used, with
tryptic soy agar or equivalent agar, NOT blood or chocolate agar. If tested incorrectly,
the results may be inaccurate. The sample should be assayed within 30 minutes of
obtaining it, or refrigerated (5
° C) immediately and assayed within a 24 hour period.
Obtain the samples wearing long sleeves and a mask to prevent contamination of
samples, use a “mid-stream” “clean catch” type procedure.