lightNlife
New member
The topic of what methods we use to clean and disinfect nebulizer parts has come up before. I've recently found an easier, faster, safer way to do it than the traditional "boil on the stove" solution.
<b>The drawback of stove-top boiling</b>
If you have a gas stove, using the burner emits a certain amount of nitrogen, and other gases, which can compromise lung health to some degree. This is particularly problematic for people with asthma, as evidenced by a study conducted in Italy. <i>reference pending</i>
Inattentiveness while boiling can result in personal injury such as burns. A burn can become infected, causing additional problems.
Too high temperatures can warp or melt the medical equipment, rendering it useless. This can be a mere time-consuming inconvenience to clean up. Additionally it can be costly to wait for a new prescription for nebulizer apparatus.
Boiling more water than is necessary is not environmentally sound, because water is not being conserved.
<b>
Items To Use Instead</b>
<UL>
Electric water kettle</UL>
<UL>Can of compressed air</UL>
<UL>Small glass dish or measuring cup</UL>
<UL>Paper towels</UL>
<UL>Hand sanitizer</UL>
<b>Here's what you do</b>
<OL>Boil water in the electric water kettle while you do your first nebulized medication. (such as HS)
By the time your medication is finished, the water will have already come to a boil.
As you begin your next medication such as TOBI or Ceftaz, disassemble the used nebulizer and place the pieces in the glass dish. Pour the boiling water the pieces. You should use a dish that's deep enough so the pieces are all submerged, but not so deep that they will float when water is added.
When the water has cooled to lukewarm, sanitize your hands (or wear gloves) and remove the now sterile nebulizer pieces from the water. Place them on a paper towel to allow them to blot dry. Wipe excess water off as needed.
Once the pieces are as dry as possible, use the can of compressed air to blow the last bits of moisture out of those hard to reach areas. (This is particularly useful in drying the Pari LC neb)
Repeat as necessary for each additional nebulizer.
When all nebulizers are clean and dry, dump out the water in the glass dish and dry it thoroughly. You can keep the clean nebulizers in the dish with a paper towel laid over the top. They will be kept clean until you use them again. </OL>
<b>Conclusion</b>
The whole process can be completed in 15 minutes or less. I find that by doing it while I do my vest, the vest treatment seems to go more quickly because I'm preoccupied. I also like being able to keep everything I need all in one place. I don't have to go up and down the stairs to and from the stove or microwave. I don't have to worry about getting a steam burn, and I don't even have to be standing while I do it! It's a wonderful time saver for me.
<b>The drawback of stove-top boiling</b>
If you have a gas stove, using the burner emits a certain amount of nitrogen, and other gases, which can compromise lung health to some degree. This is particularly problematic for people with asthma, as evidenced by a study conducted in Italy. <i>reference pending</i>
Inattentiveness while boiling can result in personal injury such as burns. A burn can become infected, causing additional problems.
Too high temperatures can warp or melt the medical equipment, rendering it useless. This can be a mere time-consuming inconvenience to clean up. Additionally it can be costly to wait for a new prescription for nebulizer apparatus.
Boiling more water than is necessary is not environmentally sound, because water is not being conserved.
<b>
Items To Use Instead</b>
<UL>
Electric water kettle</UL>
<UL>Can of compressed air</UL>
<UL>Small glass dish or measuring cup</UL>
<UL>Paper towels</UL>
<UL>Hand sanitizer</UL>
<b>Here's what you do</b>
<OL>Boil water in the electric water kettle while you do your first nebulized medication. (such as HS)
By the time your medication is finished, the water will have already come to a boil.
As you begin your next medication such as TOBI or Ceftaz, disassemble the used nebulizer and place the pieces in the glass dish. Pour the boiling water the pieces. You should use a dish that's deep enough so the pieces are all submerged, but not so deep that they will float when water is added.
When the water has cooled to lukewarm, sanitize your hands (or wear gloves) and remove the now sterile nebulizer pieces from the water. Place them on a paper towel to allow them to blot dry. Wipe excess water off as needed.
Once the pieces are as dry as possible, use the can of compressed air to blow the last bits of moisture out of those hard to reach areas. (This is particularly useful in drying the Pari LC neb)
Repeat as necessary for each additional nebulizer.
When all nebulizers are clean and dry, dump out the water in the glass dish and dry it thoroughly. You can keep the clean nebulizers in the dish with a paper towel laid over the top. They will be kept clean until you use them again. </OL>
<b>Conclusion</b>
The whole process can be completed in 15 minutes or less. I find that by doing it while I do my vest, the vest treatment seems to go more quickly because I'm preoccupied. I also like being able to keep everything I need all in one place. I don't have to go up and down the stairs to and from the stove or microwave. I don't have to worry about getting a steam burn, and I don't even have to be standing while I do it! It's a wonderful time saver for me.