Water purity is crucial in the fields of clinical chemistry and diagnostics. Ongoing developments in the approach to clinical testing and in the sophistication and range of tests available have made water purity even more instrumental.
Poor water quality not only directly affects the tests themselves; it impacts all aspects of analyzer operation. The most challenging aspect of water purification is effective and long-term bacterial control. A high-quality water purification system design is the key to accomplishing this, by providing recirculation through the key purification technologies.
Clinical Laboratory Reagent Water (CLRW) Standard
The College of American Pathologists (CAP) recommends that all water used for any application in laboratory testing meet the Clinical Laboratory Reagent Water (CLRW) standard specified by the Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) as a minimum. In addition, instrument feed water must meet the instrument manufacturer’s specifications – which may be more rigorous than CLRW standards – to ensure accurate and reproducible results.
The CLRW specification limits four key types of impurity in pure water:
- Ions - Effectively requires the elimination of carbon dioxide by restricting concentrations of ionic impurities with a resistivity specification of >10MΩ.cm.
- Particulates - A requirement for all applications is the absence of particulates. Filtration removes particulates in order to prevent the growth of bacteria and formation of bio-film.
- Organics - The CLRW calls for Total Organic Carbon (TOC) levels of <500 ppb.
- Bacterial by-products - Low levels of bacteria are imperative to prevent contamination and ensure proper equipment operation.
Xylem is your trusted partner for the design and development of laboratory water purification systems for healthcare applications. Our technical experts can help select the right solution to meet CLRW standards and ensure consistent water quality and quantity.
Measurement Solutions for Clinical Research and Diagnostics
Our portfolio of glucose analyzers measure glucose and lactate in blood, plasma, and serum; and lactate in blood, plasma, and cerebrospinal fluid, and are used extensively for glucose measurement in diabetes, cancer, and stem cell therapy research. Results provide information to growth factors, metabolism, toxic agents, and more.
Other applications include glucometer manufacturing settings and exercise physiology studies. Our complete line of refractometers serve the sports science industry to ensure athletes receive optimum levels of hydration during training and competitions.
The most challenging aspect of water purification: effective and long-term bacterial control
