Technical challenges to successful dialyzer reuse.

Limitations of dialyzer reuse technology may contribute to adverse patient outcomes. Assessing changes in dialyzer performance by measuring changes in total cell volume may not be valid for all membranes and reprocessing methods. Systems which determine dialyzer performance on-line are superior. Compliance with standards for microbial contamination of reprocessing fluids is poor and improvements in water treatment system design and monitoring are needed. Technological innovation is required to enable dialyzer performance to be monitored over an expanded molecular weight range and to ensure that dialyzer reprocessing can be routinely performed with sterile, non-pyrogenic solutions.