OBJECTIVES: In a Saudi Arabian dialysis center with more than 36,900 dialysis treatments per year, each session requires a 5-litre acid concentrate canister. The use of this Single Use Acid Concentrate Product (SUP) is associated with several challenges: 1) Organizational (high workload, numerous handling steps for the nurse and high warehouse storage space), 2) Environmental (high waste production and carbon footprint), and 3) Economic (high waste disposal costs, elevated warehouse storage costs and inefficient use of the nurse’s time). To overcome these challenges the Central Delivery System (CDS) may represent a worthwhile solution. Here we report on one example of switching from SUP to CDS with 220L drum in the KSA.

METHODS: A Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) together with organizational and environmental impact analysis was performed. This to assess on the one hand how the CDS system could address unmet needs and on the other hand the associated value for the center. Additionally, the TCO analyzed the potential savings of switching from SUP to CDS (organizational, environmental and economic impact).

RESULTS: The analysis showed how switching from SUP to CDS with 220L could be a solution for the customer’s unmet needs. The organizational impact analysis showed that 68% of nursing treatment steps and 21% of warehouse storage space were saved. The environmental impact analysis showed that 87% weight of consumables, 87% CO2 emissions and 95% acid waste dumping from canisters were saved. These savings led to a positive TCO with 95% waste disposal costs and 95% nursing time saved. In consequence, the nurse might use the time saved for improved patient care and for other activities at the dialysis center.

CONCLUSIONS: The analysis demonstrated that CDS with 220L drum is a valuable and worthwhile solution by optimizing resource management, decreasing greenhouse gas emissions, reducing nurse’s workflow and achieving a positive budget impact.