St. Peter's Hospital introduces the latest high-flux hemodialysis machine 'NCU-18'
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Gangnam St. Peter's Hospital 26-01-28
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St. Peter's Hospital introduces the latest high-flux hemodialysis machine 'NCU-18'
"Leading advanced care in step with the rise in dialysis patients"
- Nineteen Nipro 'NCU-18' high-flux dialysis machines installed and running from the 26th… upgrading in-hospital dialysis care
- Efficiently removes middle- and larger-molecule uremic toxins tailored to each patient, with better infection prevention and safety
- St. Peter's Hospital also earned Excellent Artificial Kidney Center certification last year for its high-quality dialysis care
▲Dialysis Center, St. Peter's Hospital (certified Excellent Artificial Kidney Center)
St. Peter's Hospital (President Yoon, Kangjun), a general hospital focused on spine, joint and cerebro-cardiovascular care, announced that it has introduced 19 NIPRO high-flux blood dialysis machines, the ‘NCU-18’, into its Artificial Kidney Center, in full operation from the 26th.
With the recent growth of the elderly population and the rise in patients with kidney disease, the number of blood dialysis patients in Korea is climbing rapidly and now stands at around 130,000. This has heightened the need for a high-quality treatment environment for dialysis patients in each region. St. Peter’s Hospital decided to introduce new equipment in its Artificial Kidney Center in order to provide these patients with a more precise and safer treatment solution and an advanced care environment.
The newly introduced ‘NCU-18’ from NIPRO is a high-efficiency blood dialysis system that enables more precise treatment, including the use of a range of filters matched to each patient’s condition. Depending on the filter, it efficiently removes even middle-molecule and larger uremic toxins that ordinary dialysis struggles to clear. This helps prevent the cardiovascular complications that are the leading cause of death in dialysis patients, while also aiding the management of long-term complications such as itching and osteoporosis.
Its infection-prevention and safety features are another strength. The ‘CTS (Clean Treatment Start)’ function and a closed system based on the ‘SPR’ device fundamentally reduce blood exposure to the outside throughout the dialysis process, greatly lowering the infection risk for elderly patients with weakened immunity. A micro-bubble detection sensor also monitors air entering the blood circuit in real time and immediately recognizes changes in vascular status. It further features a ‘First Aid’ function that allows treatment at the touch of a single button in an emergency. Its size and settings suit Korean clinical practice, and patients previously treated on other manufacturers’ dialysis equipment can undergo dialysis safely without difficulty.
Lee Ji-yeon, Chief of Nephrology at St. Peter's Hospital, said, “We introduced new equipment with specialized performance so that even elderly patients with fragile vessels and vulnerability to infection can receive dialysis safely.” She added, “Beyond simply extending life, we will do our best to deliver high-efficiency dialysis tailored to each person's condition so patients can lead healthier, more active daily lives.”
▲St. Peter's Hospital certified as an Excellent Artificial Kidney Center
St. Peter’s Hospital has operated an Artificial Kidney Center since 2021, leading the way in providing high-quality blood dialysis treatment. To that end, it has assigned a dedicated dialysis team — including nephrology specialists, specialized nurses and dedicated infection control staff — and created an optimal dialysis treatment environment. Its equipment and infrastructure, including a state-of-the-art water purification system with heat disinfection for safe dialysis water management, are likewise operated with precision and rigor.
Moreover, as a general hospital with 15 major clinical departments, it can provide integrated care for dialysis patients through collaboration among specialists in each department and linked rehabilitation treatment. With an in-house emergency room and partnerships with outside institutions, it can also respond quickly and expertly in emergencies. On the strength of these operating capabilities, the Artificial Kidney Center at St. Peter’s Hospital was certified last year as an outstanding artificial kidney unit by the Korean Society of Nephrology.
Yoon, Kangjun, President of St. Peter's Hospital, said, “With this new equipment we plan to build an even safer dialysis treatment environment and further strengthen the infrastructure and management systems that let patients receive care with peace of mind.” He added, “We will continue to run the Artificial Kidney Center with patient safety and treatment outcomes as our top priority, and work even harder to provide excellent medical care.”
Meanwhile, St. Peter's Hospital is a major regional general hospital with professor-level physicians and state-of-the-art infrastructure, providing excellent medical services across 15 departments, including core fields such as spine, joint and cerebro-cardiovascular care. Its clinical capabilities have been recognized through two consecutive Ministry of Health and Welfare 4th-cycle healthcare accreditations, designation as an excellent artificial kidney unit, and designation by the Ministry of Health and Welfare as an advanced regenerative medicine institution.