What is generally not included in AAMI standards for water treatment?

AAMI (Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation) standards for water treatment primarily focus on the quality of water used for dialysis, emphasizing the elimination of contaminants that could adversely affect patients' health. Water used for hemodialysis must be treated to remove various harmful substances and pathogens, but certain aspects are less emphasized in their standards.

Viruses, while an important concern in infectious disease control overall, are not typically addressed within AAMI standards for water treatment in the same way as bacteria, metals, and salts. This is because the typical water purification processes in dialysis, such as reverse osmosis, inherently reduce viral loads to a certain extent, often making specific viral testing less critical in the standards.

Conversely, AAMI standards prioritize the removal or control of bacteria, metals, and salts because these substances directly impact the safety and efficacy of dialysis. While it's essential to monitor for viruses, they are not explicitly included as a measurable parameter within the scope of AAMI water treatment standards focusing on routine operations. Thus, viruses are generally not included as a direct concern within the AAMI standards for water treatment intended for hemodialysis.