Investigation of the reverse osmosis system efficiency in supplying water to the hemodialysis center in Khoy city and comparing the quality of this water with the international standard

Ensuring the quality of water for hemodialysis is crucial for the safety of dialysis patients. In this study, we evaluated the suitability of water from the reverse osmosis (RO) system for the Khoy Hemodialysis Center, comparing it with the American Medical Equipment Administration (AAMI).

We collected laboratory data related to hemodialysis water samples. These experiments were carried out by the reference laboratory of Khoy Medical Sciences Faculty from 2021 to 2022. Parameters such as pH, total dissolved solids, hardness, nitrate, and various metals were analyzed using SPSS software. Then the results were compared with AAMI standards.

The average concentrations of pH, total dissolved solids, total hardness, nitrate, calcium, magnesium, sodium, and potassium were determined to be 6.2 ppm, 7.8 ppm, 21 ppm, 0.27 ppm, 0.93 ppm, 3.8 ppm, 3.7 ppm, and 0.07 ppm, respectively. The average concentrations of aluminum, copper, zinc, lead, and arsenic were found to be 3.4 ppb, 2.6 ppb, 5 ppb, 3.7 ppb, and 4.8 ppb, respectively. Importantly, the average concentration of all variables was below the AAMI standard. Statistical analysis tests of Bivariate and Canonical correlation indicated that the removal rate of heavy metals in the RO system was independent of the removal rate of other impurities, such as total dissolved solids. Moreover, residual chlorine, coliform, and heterotrophic plate count were zero in all samples.

Urban water purification using the RO system significantly enhances water quality at the Khoy Hemodialysis Center, aligning it with AAMI standards. However, it is emphasized that continuous monitoring is indispensable to ensure the sustained efficiency of the system.