Just thinking how Reece is ALWAYS sick.....wondering if its the way we clean our neb cups or wait too long to replace them. We have the disposable cups for his albeutrol and pulmozyme & Pari plus for the TOBI. I have never boiled the disposable kind...I use vinegar once a week.....BUT after EVERY use I rinse them ALL out w/ hot water and soap. Should I be doing something different? I repace them about every other month or so. Thanks!!!
How often do you boil your ned cups
- Thread starter MOME2RT
- Start date
I am very lax on the cleaning of my nebs. I dont use vinegar at all & I believe the CFF stopped recommending this method, but I am not sure. I use to soak mine in bleach once a month, but havent even done that lately. All I do now is the soap & very hot water & that is daily not after each use. It could be contributing to his problems. Its something to consider!
thelizardqueen
New member
I think that the CFF stopped recommending the vinegar method. I wash my nebs out with hot water and antibacterial soap, and then I boil them for 10 mins. I do this daily, after using a neb twice. So in other words in the morn I use a clean one, and at the end of my day after doing two treatments, I clean em and boil em.
We have 8 neb cups, we wash them in hot soapy water, rinse and air dry on a paper towel with towel on top to cover. I remember reading on the new ones they are good for daily use for 6 months and then should be replaced - we figure if we are really only using each cup once a week, we shouldn't have to replace every 6 months - we should get more "use" out of them.... But that is just a personal opinion - not official.
In theory -- once a week-- we boil them all (doesn't always happen)
I have the "official" paper from our CF clinic on how to care for you neb cups, Flutter Acapella etc from when they issued their "new" guidelines a while ago.
It reads:
<b>The new Infection Control Guidelines from the CF Foundation recommend that we no longer use vinegar/water to disinfect respiratory equipment.</b> We still recommend washing equipment daily with hot soapy water, rinsing and air drying. For disinfecting three times a week (after washing), the new guidelines offer several different options. <b>There are four recommended methods to choose from (pick the one that feels easiest and most cost-effective to you):</b>
* 70% isopropyl alcohol - soak equipment for 5 minutes. Air dry.
* Boil in water for 5 minutes, and then air dry. (May be used only for durable nebulizer cups, such as Pari-LC plus and Invacare Sidestream nebulizer cups. Should <b>NOT</b> be used with the disposable cups or Acapella, Flutter, or PEP devices)
* Bleach solution: 1 teaspoon of household bleach in 8 oz (one cup) of water. Soak for 3 minutes. Rinse with water. Air dry.
* 3% hydrogen peroxide - soak equipment for 30 minutes. Rinse with water. Air dry.
In theory -- once a week-- we boil them all (doesn't always happen)
I have the "official" paper from our CF clinic on how to care for you neb cups, Flutter Acapella etc from when they issued their "new" guidelines a while ago.
It reads:
<b>The new Infection Control Guidelines from the CF Foundation recommend that we no longer use vinegar/water to disinfect respiratory equipment.</b> We still recommend washing equipment daily with hot soapy water, rinsing and air drying. For disinfecting three times a week (after washing), the new guidelines offer several different options. <b>There are four recommended methods to choose from (pick the one that feels easiest and most cost-effective to you):</b>
* 70% isopropyl alcohol - soak equipment for 5 minutes. Air dry.
* Boil in water for 5 minutes, and then air dry. (May be used only for durable nebulizer cups, such as Pari-LC plus and Invacare Sidestream nebulizer cups. Should <b>NOT</b> be used with the disposable cups or Acapella, Flutter, or PEP devices)
* Bleach solution: 1 teaspoon of household bleach in 8 oz (one cup) of water. Soak for 3 minutes. Rinse with water. Air dry.
* 3% hydrogen peroxide - soak equipment for 30 minutes. Rinse with water. Air dry.
<b>You are most welcome</b>
Since I took the time to re-type their letter to post it here, I figured it would be wise to add it to my blog -- since it seems to be something I find myself using to say "go read what I wrote so I don't have to type it all out again"
It has a whopping three entries --
1) "normal" sweat tests can still mean CF (because my kids are living proof) how/why they got diagnosed in their teen years
2) all my worldly knowledge about which vest to buy (with links to the only three manufacturers I am aware of)
and now #3) what the CFF guidelines are for cleaning nebs
Since I took the time to re-type their letter to post it here, I figured it would be wise to add it to my blog -- since it seems to be something I find myself using to say "go read what I wrote so I don't have to type it all out again"
It has a whopping three entries --
1) "normal" sweat tests can still mean CF (because my kids are living proof) how/why they got diagnosed in their teen years
2) all my worldly knowledge about which vest to buy (with links to the only three manufacturers I am aware of)
and now #3) what the CFF guidelines are for cleaning nebs
thelizardqueen
New member
FYI - the Acapella Choice can be boiled as well.
Please be careful how you "rinse" your nebs.
Tap water and bottled water are NOT ok. They can contain PA.
Use distilled water.
Also, I boil after every use of nebs. I can't stand to think of PA or other bacteria growing on my nebs in between treatments... for me it defeats the purpose of doing meds if I'm going to just re-infect myself 12 hours later with bacteria that has grown since my last treatment.
Tap water and bottled water are NOT ok. They can contain PA.
Use distilled water.
Also, I boil after every use of nebs. I can't stand to think of PA or other bacteria growing on my nebs in between treatments... for me it defeats the purpose of doing meds if I'm going to just re-infect myself 12 hours later with bacteria that has grown since my last treatment.
Oh.... yes, Liz you are correct... the new one The Acapella Choice can be boiled, I'm guessing that wasn't out when they printed off those guidelines -- I didn't even think about it when I copied the info from there.
My daughter has an old one, from like 2002 we were told not to boil. But my son was just given one in March of this year and we were told we can boil -- but don't bleach -- according to the Acapella website.
My daughter has an old one, from like 2002 we were told not to boil. But my son was just given one in March of this year and we were told we can boil -- but don't bleach -- according to the Acapella website.
I just wanted to add when you boil the Pari LC cups everyday, I noticed they don't "last" as long, supposed to last 6 months. I spoke with the supplier of our Pari LC Cups and she said she would replace ours every 1 month because the constant boiling and cleaning seems to make treatments last longer(I recently noticed this). So I plan on replacing our neb cups every month.
Rebecca
Rebecca
I would be skeptical of a person who makes money off of your PARI LC Plus instructing you to buy more often! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-disgusted.gif" border="0">
I've used the PARI LC Plus for 3 years now - boiling after every use - and replacing every 6 months, and I've noticed no issues.
I've used the PARI LC Plus for 3 years now - boiling after every use - and replacing every 6 months, and I've noticed no issues.
Amy,
I understand what you are saying, but our insurance would cover the cost, it's not like a Pari rep or something suggesting this. I noticed when I change the neb cups before the 6 month is up the nebs go faster. Also, our compressor I might get a new one, it's called the Sportmist and I'm really not sure if it's what we are supposed to have or if we need one compatible with our neb cups. I'm going to talk to our clinic this week about our compressor as well.
Rebecca
I understand what you are saying, but our insurance would cover the cost, it's not like a Pari rep or something suggesting this. I noticed when I change the neb cups before the 6 month is up the nebs go faster. Also, our compressor I might get a new one, it's called the Sportmist and I'm really not sure if it's what we are supposed to have or if we need one compatible with our neb cups. I'm going to talk to our clinic this week about our compressor as well.
Rebecca
Amy,
Thanks for the info on using distilled water -- Yes, I'm sure tap and bottled water can & do contain PA -- there have even been reports of liquid soap and mouthwash containing PA ~ for use in hosptials no less !! It is a nasty little bug.
Although I am quite sure you can never go wrong by boiling your nebs and using distilled water to rinse, it is my understanding that PA is a "water bug" as our nurse describes it and so the air drying is what will kills the bug, even if it was in the water, once the water is gone the bacteria is gone.
I had a conversation with her about using a neb cup immediately after washing it -- I was asking if using a blow dryer to get it dry faster (when we didn't have time to wait for the air drying) was OK. That's when she said PA is a water bug... it needs water to survive -- therefore if your cup is dry the PA will be dead.....
On the other hand, then I suppose you have to worry about how long has it been dry? hehehehe
I'm not claiming to be an expert -- just passing on what she said to me.
Thanks for the info on using distilled water -- Yes, I'm sure tap and bottled water can & do contain PA -- there have even been reports of liquid soap and mouthwash containing PA ~ for use in hosptials no less !! It is a nasty little bug.
Although I am quite sure you can never go wrong by boiling your nebs and using distilled water to rinse, it is my understanding that PA is a "water bug" as our nurse describes it and so the air drying is what will kills the bug, even if it was in the water, once the water is gone the bacteria is gone.
I had a conversation with her about using a neb cup immediately after washing it -- I was asking if using a blow dryer to get it dry faster (when we didn't have time to wait for the air drying) was OK. That's when she said PA is a water bug... it needs water to survive -- therefore if your cup is dry the PA will be dead.....
On the other hand, then I suppose you have to worry about how long has it been dry? hehehehe
I'm not claiming to be an expert -- just passing on what she said to me.
thelizardqueen
New member
So long as you boil the cups, I don't see the need of using distilled water. Just let your water boil for about 5 mins before you put the cups in so that you purify the water, and then let the cups boil for 5-10 mins. As long as your cups are completly dry i.e. no water droplets, you should be fine with no PA. This is what I've been told as well.
Another thread was started about this in the adult forum and someone mentioned trying to find these guidelines on the CFF website -- I found them too and so thought you all might want the link -- I have also added the link to my blog too, so if you wanted to find it later you don't have to worry about keeping track of this tread.
<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.cff.org/UploadedFiles/living_with_cf/Files/Respiratory%20--%20Stopping%20the%20Spread%20of%20Germs.pdf">http://www.cff.org/UploadedFil...pread%20of%20Germs.pdf</a>
<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.cff.org/UploadedFiles/living_with_cf/Files/Respiratory%20--%20Stopping%20the%20Spread%20of%20Germs.pdf">http://www.cff.org/UploadedFil...pread%20of%20Germs.pdf</a>
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>Alyssa</b></i>
Amy,
Thanks for the info on using distilled water -- Yes, I'm sure tap and bottled water can & do contain PA -- there have even been reports of liquid soap and mouthwash containing PA ~ for use in hosptials no less !! It is a nasty little bug.
Although I am quite sure you can never go wrong by boiling your nebs and using distilled water to rinse, it is my understanding that PA is a "water bug" as our nurse describes it and so the air drying is what will kills the bug, even if it was in the water, once the water is gone the bacteria is gone.
I had a conversation with her about using a neb cup immediately after washing it -- I was asking if using a blow dryer to get it dry faster (when we didn't have time to wait for the air drying) was OK. That's when she said PA is a water bug... it needs water to survive -- therefore if your cup is dry the PA will be dead.....
On the other hand, then I suppose you have to worry about how long has it been dry? hehehehe
I'm not claiming to be an expert -- just passing on what she said to me.</end quote></div>
"A possible explanation for the relatively high presence of P. aeruginosa in the CF wards is that P. aeruginosa in sputum can survive for up to 8 days on dry surfaces. "
<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.cfww.org/pub/edition_7/english/08.asp
">http://www.cfww.org/pub/edition_7/english/08.asp
</a>
By Claus Moser, MD PhD and Niels Høiby, MD in Denmark
Amy,
Thanks for the info on using distilled water -- Yes, I'm sure tap and bottled water can & do contain PA -- there have even been reports of liquid soap and mouthwash containing PA ~ for use in hosptials no less !! It is a nasty little bug.
Although I am quite sure you can never go wrong by boiling your nebs and using distilled water to rinse, it is my understanding that PA is a "water bug" as our nurse describes it and so the air drying is what will kills the bug, even if it was in the water, once the water is gone the bacteria is gone.
I had a conversation with her about using a neb cup immediately after washing it -- I was asking if using a blow dryer to get it dry faster (when we didn't have time to wait for the air drying) was OK. That's when she said PA is a water bug... it needs water to survive -- therefore if your cup is dry the PA will be dead.....
On the other hand, then I suppose you have to worry about how long has it been dry? hehehehe
I'm not claiming to be an expert -- just passing on what she said to me.</end quote></div>
"A possible explanation for the relatively high presence of P. aeruginosa in the CF wards is that P. aeruginosa in sputum can survive for up to 8 days on dry surfaces. "
<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.cfww.org/pub/edition_7/english/08.asp
">http://www.cfww.org/pub/edition_7/english/08.asp
</a>
By Claus Moser, MD PhD and Niels Høiby, MD in Denmark
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>thelizardqueen</b></i>
So long as you boil the cups, I don't see the need of using distilled water. Just let your water boil for about 5 mins before you put the cups in so that you purify the water, and then let the cups boil for 5-10 mins. As long as your cups are completly dry i.e. no water droplets, you should be fine with no PA. This is what I've been told as well.</end quote></div>
No you're right. But other options besides boiling include soaking nebs in bleach, etc. Of course you can't neb right after soaking bleach. YOu have to rinse the nebs with something. And my point was to make sure you don't rinse with tap water or bottled water.
So long as you boil the cups, I don't see the need of using distilled water. Just let your water boil for about 5 mins before you put the cups in so that you purify the water, and then let the cups boil for 5-10 mins. As long as your cups are completly dry i.e. no water droplets, you should be fine with no PA. This is what I've been told as well.</end quote></div>
No you're right. But other options besides boiling include soaking nebs in bleach, etc. Of course you can't neb right after soaking bleach. YOu have to rinse the nebs with something. And my point was to make sure you don't rinse with tap water or bottled water.
I use the Quick Clean Micro-Steam Bag by Medela. I am not sure if the neb cup is the same thing as the cannister but that is how I clean all of our neb supplies. I put the neb cannisters, masks, and mouthpieces in the bag along with the rubber and mouth piece of the OpticChamber. I put 1/2 cup water in the bag and microwave it for three minutes and then air dry them on a clean towel. This is how I was taught to control contamination at one of our local CF education nights.
Gretchen
Meg 9w/cf
Faith 7w/cg ntma positive
Gretchen
Meg 9w/cf
Faith 7w/cg ntma positive