Abstract: Objective  The calibration and stabilization of dialysate flow rate were compared among three brands of hemodialysis machines, in order to optimize the quality control system, to guide the improvement of hemodialysis procedures, and thereby to ensure the adequacy and reliability of hemodialysis.  Method  According to the JJF1353-2012 standard, the HDM99XP blood dialysis machine quality detector was used to examine and analyze the dialysate flow rate in three groups of dialysis machines (groups A, B, and C, 8 units in each group). The machine with the largest deviation in each group was subjected to a stability test for 6 months.  Result  At the 500mL/min calibration point, the average dialysate flow rates of the three groups were 497.6±14.4 mL/min, 489.4±19.0 mL/min, and 484.0±23.2 mL/min respectively, without statistical differences (F=1.021, P=0.377). Stability tests showed that group C was the worst, with a deviation up to 33.8mL/min.  Conclusion  The stability of dialysate flow rate was unsatisfactory in group C machines, despite the fact that the average dialysate flow rate was similar among the three brands of machines. We recommend that stability test should be incorporated into the quality control system, and that the set value should be appropriately increased in clinical practice in the present situation of lower dialysate flow rate to ensure hemodialysis effectiveness and medical service quality.

Key words: Hemodialysis machine, Dialysate flow, Quality control, Stability