[Microbiological quality of haemodialysis water in various hospitals and private clinics in the Lazio region (Italy): 2000-2004].

The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of dialysis water used in dialysis units of various hospitals and private clinics in Rome and the Lazio region (Italy). The study was performed between January 2000 and December 2004. A total of 507 samples were analysed, 205 of which obtained from public hospitals and 302 from privately-owned medical facilities. Microbiological analysis was performed as specified by the 1995 Decree of the Lazio Region n degrees 1650, which also sets threshold values for bacterial contamination and minimum frequency of inspections. The decree also specifies the modalities and frequency of disinfection of dialysis water treatment and distribution systems. The findings show a superior microbiological quality of dialysis water in privately-owned dialysis units. This may be due to several factors but especially to a more regular maintenance and disinfection of the water treatment systems. Overall, over half of the samples analysed, in both types of facilities, showed bacterial loads well below the set limits. In our view, however, bacterial limits for dialysis water are too high especially considering the fact that they are the same limits set by previous regulations for drinkable water. Haemodialysis patients are exposed to large volumes of water used for the production of dialysis fluids during a treatment session. It is therefore clearly important that more stringent limits for bacterial contamination be introduced.