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Cleaning nebulizer/aerobika

Posted by kate2025 @kate2025, Nov 7 12:10pm

After some thought and prayer about a compromise in daily routine of cleaning and sterilizing with what risk tolerance (or honestly lack of it) I have here's what I've decided to do as a routine. Any thoughts? And to note I DON'T have MAC or other bacterial infections I'm fighting.
AND any thoughts on boiling more than one set together (obviously then can't keep separate to know how long each is being used).
.
Here it goes:
1) 1st day after am use - wash and soak and rinse then put in Bololo with auto sterilize/dry with boiled distilled water.
2) after pm use - same thing
3) 2nd day - am use - wash and soak and rinse then put in Bololo with sterilize/dry with boiled distilled water.
4) 2nd day pm use - wash and soak and rinse and then take the sterilized set out of the Bololo and boil both sets with IP in distilled water.
And when done because I have the wabi mini uv cabinet, I will add both sets to the uv cabinet
5) 3rd day start process all over again ...

So basically wash and soak and rinse each session, sterilize/dry day one and am of day 2;
And after end of day 2 wash soak rinse and boil both sets and put in uv cabinet

At least this way sterilized each day in Bololo; boiled every other day and still getting double use by putting in uv cabinet which can sterilize and dry and can uv every 3 hours for 9 hours so gets the benefit of overnight
.
It's still overkill by manufacturer recommendations, but not as extreme as boiling after each use OR using the pressure cook cycle on IP.

Thank you everyone for your ongoing support. 🙏❤️

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the MAC & Bronchiectasis Support Group.

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rozie83 | @rozie83 | Nov 9 11:40am

None of my docs have ever addressed this. What do you do with the sputum you expectorate? One respiratory therapist who did a demonstration at NJH said to always put it in a plastic sample cup and throw it away.

Roz

REPLY
Profile picture for scoop
scoop | @scoop | Nov 9 1:46pm
In reply to @sueinmn "@kate2025 I have lived with Bronchiectasis for going on 8 years, and must say I have..." + (show)
Profile picture for Sue, Volunteer Mentor @sueinmn

@kate2025 I have lived with Bronchiectasis for going on 8 years, and must say I have relaxed a lot. I figure that as long as I don't start getting exacerbations, and my lung function stays good, I am doing enough.

Using the philosophy promoted by Dr Honda (and my pulmonologist, a BE and asthma specialist, here are my precautions:
I use filtered water, keep the hot water heater above 135f to minimize NTM growth, and take short showers with the vent fan running, but I don't fuss about boiling water or worry about a little steam from the sink or dishwasher.
I am scrupulous about cleaning our reusable water bottles, fanatical about handwashing, and strict about clean towels, dishcloths, sinks, etc. I feel like these go a long way towards staying healthy.
We also go through a lot of N95 masks - air travel, crowds, if anyone in the house is ill.
My sputum testing is "once every year or so" because I had both NTM and pseudomonas in the past, and have other health issues, use meds for asthma and rheumatoid arthritis that suppress my immune response, travel and garden a lot. Or right away if I get an exacerbation that requires steroids or antibiotics.
My CT scans are done every 2 years.

But I still believe overcleaning equipment is more stressful than truly useful, and the group(s) that support it so fervently don't have hard data to show NTM grows on equipment so quickly as to pose a real danger a real danger if it is not boiled or steamed after every use. And to be honest, a saucepan with distilled water, used on the range top, and monitored with a kitchen timer, is far less bother than sterilizer, steam bags, insta-pots and all the other things that would take over my small countertop. For me simplicity reduces stress.z

Jump to this post

@sueinmn You hit the nail on its head! ".....and the group(s) that support it so fervently don't have hard data to show NTM grows on equipment so quickly as to pose a real danger..."

Precisely, their studies are strictly theoretical rather than empirical. They failed step #4.

We all studied the scientific method in grade school:
1. Ask a question – What do you want to find out?
2. Do background research – Learn what is already known.
3. Form a hypothesis – Make an educated guess or prediction.
4. Test the hypothesis – Do an experiment or collect data.
5. Analyze the results – Look at what the data show.
6. Draw a conclusion – Decide whether your hypothesis was right or wrong.
7. Share results – Report what you found so others can learn or repeat it.

REPLY
1 reply
Profile picture for kate2025
kate2025 | @kate2025 | Nov 9 2:43pm
In reply to @sueinmn "@kate2025 I have lived with Bronchiectasis for going on 8 years, and must say I have..." + (show)
Profile picture for Sue, Volunteer Mentor @sueinmn

@kate2025 I have lived with Bronchiectasis for going on 8 years, and must say I have relaxed a lot. I figure that as long as I don't start getting exacerbations, and my lung function stays good, I am doing enough.

Using the philosophy promoted by Dr Honda (and my pulmonologist, a BE and asthma specialist, here are my precautions:
I use filtered water, keep the hot water heater above 135f to minimize NTM growth, and take short showers with the vent fan running, but I don't fuss about boiling water or worry about a little steam from the sink or dishwasher.
I am scrupulous about cleaning our reusable water bottles, fanatical about handwashing, and strict about clean towels, dishcloths, sinks, etc. I feel like these go a long way towards staying healthy.
We also go through a lot of N95 masks - air travel, crowds, if anyone in the house is ill.
My sputum testing is "once every year or so" because I had both NTM and pseudomonas in the past, and have other health issues, use meds for asthma and rheumatoid arthritis that suppress my immune response, travel and garden a lot. Or right away if I get an exacerbation that requires steroids or antibiotics.
My CT scans are done every 2 years.

But I still believe overcleaning equipment is more stressful than truly useful, and the group(s) that support it so fervently don't have hard data to show NTM grows on equipment so quickly as to pose a real danger a real danger if it is not boiled or steamed after every use. And to be honest, a saucepan with distilled water, used on the range top, and monitored with a kitchen timer, is far less bother than sterilizer, steam bags, insta-pots and all the other things that would take over my small countertop. For me simplicity reduces stress.z

Jump to this post

@sueinmn once again, thank you very much for all your insightful thoughts and wisdom. Much appreciated.

REPLY
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cwal | @cwal | Nov 10 5:13am
In reply to @scoop "@sueinmn You hit the nail on its head! ".....and the group(s) that support it so fervently..." + (show)
Profile picture for scoop @scoop

@sueinmn You hit the nail on its head! ".....and the group(s) that support it so fervently don't have hard data to show NTM grows on equipment so quickly as to pose a real danger..."

Precisely, their studies are strictly theoretical rather than empirical. They failed step #4.

We all studied the scientific method in grade school:
1. Ask a question – What do you want to find out?
2. Do background research – Learn what is already known.
3. Form a hypothesis – Make an educated guess or prediction.
4. Test the hypothesis – Do an experiment or collect data.
5. Analyze the results – Look at what the data show.
6. Draw a conclusion – Decide whether your hypothesis was right or wrong.
7. Share results – Report what you found so others can learn or repeat it.

Jump to this post

@scoop
Agree! And results are usually reviewed by other experts in order to analyze and provide objective input.

REPLY
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lindenflower | @lindenflower | Nov 10 9:28am
In reply to @pacathy "I see no reason to boil and use Bololo. Either method (assuming 10 min boil) kills..." + (show)
Profile picture for pacathy @pacathy

I see no reason to boil and use Bololo. Either method (assuming 10 min boil) kills the MAC and I'm not sure what sanitizing twice would help. I prefer Bololo since it decreases the chance of contamination by handling. I put equipment in there and leave it until next use. When I boiled, I had to get equipment out to dry-increased chance of touching and contaminating and paper towels are clean, not sterile. It's a good method if space is limited, for travel, etc.

I also prefer not handling so much boiling water-burns hurt.

Everyone has to figure out what they're comfortable with. It's your decision if you need to double sanitize.

Jump to this post

@pacathy Why 10 min boil?
Insmed says to boil 5 minutes.

REPLY
2 replies
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blm1007blm1007 | @blm1007blm1007 | Nov 11 12:34pm
In reply to @lindenflower "@pacathy Why 10 min boil? Insmed says to boil 5 minutes." + (show)
Profile picture for lindenflower @lindenflower

@pacathy Why 10 min boil?
Insmed says to boil 5 minutes.

Jump to this post

@lindenflower I think the ten minutes that has been mentioned is to boil the water first to kill any possible bacteria in the water that you will be placing the pieces in and then boil them for 5 minutes to sterilize. Be sure to place the pieces in the water as it is boiling to help keep them from touching the bottom of a metal pot. I boil the water for 10 minutes and then sterilize for 5 minutes.
Barbara

REPLY
1 reply
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lindenflower | @lindenflower | Nov 11 1:48pm
In reply to @blm1007blm1007 "@lindenflower I think the ten minutes that has been mentioned is to boil the water first..." + (show)
Profile picture for blm1007blm1007 @blm1007blm1007

@lindenflower I think the ten minutes that has been mentioned is to boil the water first to kill any possible bacteria in the water that you will be placing the pieces in and then boil them for 5 minutes to sterilize. Be sure to place the pieces in the water as it is boiling to help keep them from touching the bottom of a metal pot. I boil the water for 10 minutes and then sterilize for 5 minutes.
Barbara

Jump to this post

@blm1007blm1007
Thank you, Barbara!
Do you boil distilled or tap water for 10 minutes?

REPLY
1 reply
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Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Nov 11 5:53pm
In reply to @lindenflower "@pacathy Why 10 min boil? Insmed says to boil 5 minutes." + (show)
Profile picture for lindenflower @lindenflower

@pacathy Why 10 min boil?
Insmed says to boil 5 minutes.

Jump to this post

@lindenflower To be sure mycobacteria is killed requires 10 minutes of boiling water. No need to pre-boil to sterilize the water. In fact, I find it safer for the pieces to be heated gradually rather than being plunged into boiling water. I place the equipment in room temperature distilled water in a sauce pan and bring it to a boil (takes 12 minutes on low on my stove), then set the kitchen timer and boil gently for 10 minutes. When the timer rings, I turn the burner off and let the water cool slightly, then use tongs to lift the parts onto a dry paper towel. If you get them out soon enough,the hot water evaporates quickly.

I use a round silicon hot pad in the bottom of the pot to keep the pieces from contacting the hot metal, though it hasn't been an issue in my thick old pans.

REPLY
2 replies
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blm1007blm1007 | @blm1007blm1007 | Nov 11 8:36pm
In reply to @lindenflower "@blm1007blm1007 Thank you, Barbara! Do you boil distilled or tap water for 10 minutes?" + (show)
Profile picture for lindenflower @lindenflower

@blm1007blm1007
Thank you, Barbara!
Do you boil distilled or tap water for 10 minutes?

Jump to this post

@lindenflower I have been using cold tap water and boiling it for ten minutes. Not everyone does it this way and many use distilled water.
Barbara

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