Reychler G, Dupont C, Dubus J C
CRCM mixte et Service de Médecine Physique, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Bruxelles, Belgique.
Rev Mal Respir. 2007 Dec;24(10):1351-61. doi: 10.1016/s0761-8425(07)78512-1.
Nebulization may transport with the drug some small particles containing microbes.
These microbes may be present in all parts of the nebulizer, including the drug solution itself. Depending on the studies, contamination of the nebulizers may reach up to 55% of the devices in patients with cystic fibrosis. That's why using one nebulizer for one patient, using drug sterile ampoules, and having a good hygiene during and after the nebulization are so important. The national disinfection recommendations, usually depending on the type of the nebulizer, are variable from one to another country and are not very well validated. Moreover, the repetitive use of these disinfection techniques on the performances of the nebulizer are neither studied. In daily life, the patients respect these disinfection recommendations in 3 to 98% of the cases.
We propose a standardized methodology for evaluating the microbial and functional effects of all disinfectants on the nebulizers.
A simple, quick, efficacious, cheap, and without effect on nebulizer performances disinfectant is still waiting.
