Reuse of haemodialysis equipment: convenience and cost effectiveness.

The shortage of resources for providing renal replacement makes it essential to reduce revenue costs wherever possible. Assuming that haemodialysis is likely to remain a mainstay of renal replacement, a policy of reusing the expensive disposable dialysers and blood lines could offer substantial cost savings. Such reuse has been shown to be safe and to maintain efficiency, but it must also take account of convenience to the patient, especially those dialysing at home. A survey of patients treated with home dialysis shows that the rate of reuse of the complete extracorporeal circuit was highest for those patients who had automated reuse systems.