There are many different types of sanitizers, disinfectants, and sterilants used in clinical settings that are potentially harmful to patients. Formaldehyde is one such chemical that is commonly used in hemodialysis equipment.
In particular, formaldehyde is used as an effective way to sterilize dialysis lines and dialyzers in dialysis centers, clinical settings, and hospitals. This is effective as it is a low-cost option that provides superior sterilization in a rinse process that can be quickly and easily completed.
The risk involved for patients if formalin-sterilization rinses are not removed from the lines can be significant, particularly if exposure occurs over time. As a way to prevent this issue and to provide optimal patient safety, formaldehyde testing can easily be completed after each use.
What to Consider
When looking for formaldehyde testing solutions for any facility, there are several things to keep in mind. First and foremost, the testing system must provide accuracy to the levels required to show the semi-quantitative level of formaldehyde present.
According to the Association for Advancement of Medical Instrumentation, the recommended level of formaldehyde in any test should be below 3ppm. The test strip should provide a clear and readily visible difference in the color change between the 2.5ppm level and anything above 3ppm. Some tests provide very subtle color differences that can easily lead to an error in reading the results.
Another factor to consider is the speed of the test. Most will include a small sample of the rinse water place on the reagent or indicator pad on the strip. Then, after the time recommended for the test, the colors are compared against the chart on the bottle.
Ideally, look for formaldehyde testing that can be completed with accuracy in two minutes. This will ensure compliance with testing requirements while also providing the information required for safety.
