Hi QTPie. Yes, the link has been discussed in previous posts. It is specific to the e-flow and another nebulizer - they can't be sterilized in the microwave because they contain a metal part. There are suggestions that they can be sterilized with alcohol or hydrogen peroxide. There was a time they thought using vinegar was sufficient too! But I have personally received specific instructions from the CF Team to not use those methods. I suspect the confusion or perhaps just the changes in recommendations is a result of various studies and the ever growing complexity of various "bugs." There has also been some reported testing of the baby bottle sterilizers that question whether they can reach the required temperatures for sterilization. Again, these issues have been discussed in many previous posts, but I do not want to suggest they don't need to be repeated. Here's another link to a post specifically discussing the baby bottle sterilizers -
http://forum.cysticfibrosis.com/thr...m-sterilizer?highlight=Baby+bottle+sterilizer I would also suggest you read the last link I posted as well -
http://forum.cysticfibrosis.com/thr...Keeping-them-Clean/page4?highlight=Sterilizer The debate seems to persist . . . .
The best way to handle the question in my humble opinion is to ask your respiratory therapist and pulmonologist at your CF Center. I have no doubt they will be happy to give you their recommended protocols. I would also suggest you talk with the manufacturer of your nebulizer, making sure they understand you are a CF patient, and do not want to simply "clean" your nebulizer. Most occasional nebulizer users seem to be advised to simply wash them - but the lungs of a CFer are much more fragile and susceptible to bacteria. Your lungs aren't going to fight off the average bug that might be left on a nebulizer in the usual way.
My own round and round on this issue led me to conclude that the
safest and surest way to sterilize a plastic reusable nebulizer, like the Pari LCPlus typically used for TOBI or Hypertonic Saline, was to wash it in soap and water, rinse it, boil it for 10 minutes, and then let it air dry, protected from the environment by placing it in a clean covered tub or covered with a clean paper towel.