Evaluation of Haemodialysis Machine Performance and Safety Parameters at Tertiary Hospitals in Enugu State

Chronic kidney disease burden in Enugu State places increasing demand on haemodialysis infrastructure, and systematic evaluation of haemodialysis machine performance and safety is essential for patient safety and treatment efficacy. This study evaluates haemodialysis machine performance and safety parameters at two tertiary hospitals in Enugu State with active renal unit services. Performance parameters assessed include dialysate conductivity accuracy, blood pump flow rate accuracy, dialysate flow rate accuracy, transmembrane pressure regulation, temperature control precision, and air detector sensitivity. Safety systems assessed include arterial and venous pressure monitoring alarm functionality, blood leak detector sensitivity, and conductivity out-of-range alarm behaviour. Testing followed the manufacturer service manual protocols and ANSI/AAMI dialysis standards as reference criteria. Fifteen machines across the two facilities were evaluated. Results show that blood pump flow rate accuracy was within the manufacturer specification of plus or minus five percent in twelve machines. Transmembrane pressure regulation was satisfactory in eleven machines. Three machines showed dialysate temperature regulation deviations exceeding 0.5 degrees Celsius from set point. Air detector alarms failed sensitivity testing in two machines. Blood leak detector response time exceeded specifications in one machine. Five machines had no documented calibration service within the past twelve months. Dialysate conductivity accuracy was confirmed in thirteen machines. The study identifies inadequate preventive maintenance scheduling and absent calibration documentation as systemic quality issues, recommending a dedicated renal unit biomedical engineer and a structured quarterly performance validation programme. Keywords: haemodialysis machine, performance evaluation, patient safety, renal unit, Enugu State.