Nebulizer

Question

Good evening,

I have two nieces with CF, and we would like to know if there is a sterilizer available for inhalators and other aids. My sister boils them and dries them with a hair dryer.
Thank you

Answer

Hello.
Your question is probably related to a nebuliser. That is part of the inhalation system that the person with CF holds in their hands. The recommendation about how to clean the nebulisation set is described perfectly in the instructions from the manufacturer, and more information can also be found at www.pari.de under 'producte' or 'products.'
When cleaning the nebulizer set, we proceed as follows:
1. Take apart the nebulizer into its individual parts
2. wash them in water with liquid disinfectant detergent and rinse them under warm running water [comment of the coordinator: disinfectant for rinsing is not necessary, but possible, more important is the heat component (boiling or vaporizing) to disinfect the equipment]
3. submerge them into hot water which has been brought to a boil. [comment of the coordinator: once daily not only cleaning, but disinfecting of the equipment should take place, according to the manufactuer (here Pari for example) boiling 15 minutes or vaporizing 15 minutes is recommended; the here described procedure seems to be center and product specific]
3. Leave them submerged for approximately 10 minutes in hot water
4. remove and dry them completely
5. for perfect dryness, we can use a hair dryer
6. place individual parts of the nebuliser set in a safe place
This procedure should be repeated at the end of every day.

After each inhalation during the day, proceed as follows:
1. Take apart the nebulizer into its individual parts
2. wash them in water with liquid disinfectant detergent and rinse them under warm running water
3. remove and dry them completely
4. for perfect dryness, you can use a hair dryer
5. place individual parts of the nebuliser set in a safe place

Considering the time that hygienic care for a nebulisation set takes during the day, we recommend that people with CF and their families have 2 nebulisation sets available. One inhalator is enough, but at the end of the day, each inhalator must be wiped with disinfectant liquid and be covered. In this way, the inhalator is prepared for its next use, at night or the next day. If you have questions, please consult with your respiratory physiotherapist, CF care nurse or your attending physician. Hygienic rules are recommendations and must be approved by the appropriate center where the person with CF is treated.

Consult with your attending physician about the use of a steriliser in a home environment.

Best regards Libuse Smolikova and Jitka Brazova

19.01.2009