What is the maximum allowable drop in pressure to ensure blood path integrity during testing?

The maximum allowable drop in pressure to ensure blood path integrity during testing is set at 10 mmHg. This standard is critical in maintaining the safety and efficacy of hemodialysis treatments. A pressure drop greater than this threshold could indicate a potential leak or malfunction within the blood path, which may pose significant risks to the patient, such as exposure to unfiltered blood or compromised treatment efficacy. During testing, monitoring for pressure variations helps clinicians identify any possible failures in the system before the procedure begins, thereby ensuring patient safety. Hence, maintaining the pressure drop within this limit signifies that the blood pathway is functioning correctly and that the risk of complications is minimized.