What occurs when the dialysate flow stops during dialysis?

When the dialysate flow stops during dialysis, the machine goes into alarm mode as a safety mechanism to alert the healthcare provider to an issue that needs to be addressed immediately. This alarm ensures that the patient’s treatment does not continue under potentially harmful conditions, as the proper flow of dialysate is essential for effective filtration and waste removal in dialysis.

Ensuring the dialysate flow is uninterrupted is critical for maintaining the efficiency of the dialyzer, which depends on the flow of this solution to facilitate the exchange of waste products and electrolytes between the blood and the dialysate. If the flow ceases, the system detects this disruption and activates an alarm to prompt intervention to prevent complications such as inadequate dialysis treatment or harm to the patient.