What is the purpose of priming a hemodialysis system?

Priming a hemodialysis system is essential for ensuring the safe and effective initiation of the dialysis process. The main purpose of priming is to eliminate any air that may be trapped in the dialyzer and bloodlines. This is crucial because air can lead to complications, such as air embolism, which can be life-threatening for patients. By removing air from the system, the risk of these complications is minimized.

Additionally, during the priming process, a germicide may be introduced. This step helps to disinfect the bloodlines and dialyzer, ensuring that they are free from contaminants that could introduce infection to the patient when blood is circulated through the system. Therefore, priming serves both to remove air and to introduce germicide, making it a critical step in preparing the dialysis circuit for patient treatment.