1. < MAC & Bronchiectasis

Aerobika

Posted by zscline @zscline, Dec 30, 2023

I've now seen two or maybe three people refer to the fact that they use this device known as an Aerobika. I would like to know who all uses these and has it proven well worth adding this piece to your daily BE care routine. Thanks ahead for your replies. Much appreciated!

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

zscline | @zscline | Jan 5 5:37pm

Thank you! That's what I ended up doing too. It was considerably less expensive for the exact model. I should be getting it in the next several days.

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wsbme74 | @wsbme74 | Jan 6 6:46am
In reply to @scoop "@wsbme74 Thanks for your helpful post about the aerobika. I wondered how a bunch of plastic..." + (show)
@scoop

@wsbme74 Thanks for your helpful post about the aerobika. I wondered how a bunch of plastic parts could wear out in 6-12 months. When I meet with the RT I'll be sure to bring mine along for evaluation. Maybe they can show me how to tell if it's worn out. I certainly can feel the difference between the old and new one, as the old one feels beaten up a bit.

Good tip on the manometer, which might serve as a motivator when using aerobika/nebulizer/compressor.

Did your RT friend say how often to replace the tubing? I've read anywhere from 1 month to 6 months.

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Hi. So many things to learn and realize we didn't know! I only happened to meet with one respiratory therapist who looked inside my Aerobika to decipher the level of wear and tear, otherwise I would not have had a clue!
I will ask the RT I know about tubing. I have seen the same numbers as you have seen - anywhere from 1-6 months, the most common being 6 months.

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jeanarizona | @jeanarizona | Jan 6 1:50pm
In reply to @carolj68 "I also prefer the Aerobika to the Acapella because of the ease of cleaning and sterilizing..." + (show)
@carolj68

I also prefer the Aerobika to the Acapella because of the ease of cleaning and sterilizing it. The cleaning instructions state that it can be autoclaved and so it easily stands up to a baby bottle sterilizer! I clean (in sudsy water), rinse, and sterilize the Aerobika (Chicco 3-in-1 bottle sterilizer is nice and compact) daily and so do not have to fuss with distilled water, hydrogen peroxide, alcohol, etc. as one does with the Acapella. The Aerobika is available, new, on eBay for about $40, and costs about twice that amount from a medical supply company, unless your insurance covers the device.

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Hi Carol. I just started nebulizing and using the Aerobika for airway clearance. Can you post a link to the Chicco 3 in 1 bottle sterilizer you use? Thanks!

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1 reply
carolj68 | @carolj68 | Jan 7 10:10am
In reply to @jeanarizona "Hi Carol. I just started nebulizing and using the Aerobika for airway clearance. Can you post..." + (show)
@jeanarizona

Hi Carol. I just started nebulizing and using the Aerobika for airway clearance. Can you post a link to the Chicco 3 in 1 bottle sterilizer you use? Thanks!

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Sure - it's this one: https://www.chiccousa.com/shop-our-products/feeding-and-soothing/sterilizers/3-in-1-steam-sterilizer/00007391100070.html
It has 3 configurations and so you can use it in the low dome configuration for the aerobika and nebulizing parts. This is a newer version of the product and apparently sanitizes in 5 minutes, while mine requires 9-12 minutes. I'm going to post some information from the Cystic Fibrosis folks, recommending 5 minutes. CF patients require higher levels of sanitization than we do and so if if it sufficient for them, I am assuming it is more that adequate for bronchiectasis/MAC/NTM.
Carol

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1 reply
carolj68 | @carolj68 | Jan 7 10:23am

A few people have asked about the Chicco 3 in 1 - link is: https://www.chiccousa.com/shop-our-products/feeding-and-soothing/sterilizers/3-in-1-steam-sterilizer/00007391100070.html. The only drawback is that it does not have a drying cycle, so I try to sanitize, shake excess water off, and air dry overnight.
Also, apparently the newer version of the Chicco 3 in 1 sanitizes in 5 minutes, not in the 9-12 minutes that the older version (which I have) does. Someone asked if this was an adequate amount of time. Here are some recommendations for CF patients who have the highest standards for sanitizing their nebulizing and air clearance products. I believe they must sanitize after each equipment use. The recommendations I saw are for 5 minutes for heat/steam cleaning. I make the assumption that if 5 minutes is adequate for CF patients, then it would be adequate for bronchiectasis/MAC/NTM patients as well.

https://www.cff.org/managing-cf/nebulizer-care-home#:~:text=Heat%20Methods%3A,Use%20an%20electric%20steam%20sterilizer.https://cystic-fibrosis.com/nebulizer-cleaning
REPLY
1 reply
kagilb | @kagilb | Jan 7 1:08pm
In reply to @carolj68 "A few people have asked about the Chicco 3 in 1 - link is: https://www.chiccousa.com/shop-our-products/feeding-and-soothing/sterilizers/3-in-1-steam-sterilizer/00007391100070.html. The..." + (show)
@carolj68

A few people have asked about the Chicco 3 in 1 - link is: https://www.chiccousa.com/shop-our-products/feeding-and-soothing/sterilizers/3-in-1-steam-sterilizer/00007391100070.html. The only drawback is that it does not have a drying cycle, so I try to sanitize, shake excess water off, and air dry overnight.
Also, apparently the newer version of the Chicco 3 in 1 sanitizes in 5 minutes, not in the 9-12 minutes that the older version (which I have) does. Someone asked if this was an adequate amount of time. Here are some recommendations for CF patients who have the highest standards for sanitizing their nebulizing and air clearance products. I believe they must sanitize after each equipment use. The recommendations I saw are for 5 minutes for heat/steam cleaning. I make the assumption that if 5 minutes is adequate for CF patients, then it would be adequate for bronchiectasis/MAC/NTM patients as well.

https://www.cff.org/managing-cf/nebulizer-care-home#:~:text=Heat%20Methods%3A,Use%20an%20electric%20steam%20sterilizer.https://cystic-fibrosis.com/nebulizer-cleaning

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Hi - Is anyone able to compare the Chicco to the Wabi? I currently use microwave steam bags, but the bottle steralizers sound interesting.
Thanks, Karen

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minute22 | @minute22 | Jan 7 5:43pm

It doesn't look like the baby bottle sterilizer technique is as reliable or effective for our equipment as the boiling method. Please see this guideline on the Lung Matters FB group:
https://selfmattersinstitute.wordpress.com/self-defense/respiratory-equipment/

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1 reply
Toni D. | @tcd518 | Jan 8 9:08am
In reply to @minute22 "It doesn't look like the baby bottle sterilizer technique is as reliable or effective for our..." + (show)
@minute22

It doesn't look like the baby bottle sterilizer technique is as reliable or effective for our equipment as the boiling method. Please see this guideline on the Lung Matters FB group:
https://selfmattersinstitute.wordpress.com/self-defense/respiratory-equipment/

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It seems to me that the most reliable method of cleaning, disinfecting, etc., is what the manufacturer recommends.

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scoop | @scoop | Jan 8 12:18pm

It's an interesting topic. To test mine I used an infrared thermometer at various times during the steaming/disinfecting cycle. It surprised me to see the Boloco baby bottle sterilizer was hotter than 212 degrees for 5+ minutes. Photo below.

Researching is invaluable and assists in decision making based on individual disease state/status.

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jeanarizona | @jeanarizona | Jan 8 11:58pm
In reply to @carolj68 "Sure - it's this one: https://www.chiccousa.com/shop-our-products/feeding-and-soothing/sterilizers/3-in-1-steam-sterilizer/00007391100070.html It has 3 configurations and so you can use it..." + (show)
@carolj68

Sure - it's this one: https://www.chiccousa.com/shop-our-products/feeding-and-soothing/sterilizers/3-in-1-steam-sterilizer/00007391100070.html
It has 3 configurations and so you can use it in the low dome configuration for the aerobika and nebulizing parts. This is a newer version of the product and apparently sanitizes in 5 minutes, while mine requires 9-12 minutes. I'm going to post some information from the Cystic Fibrosis folks, recommending 5 minutes. CF patients require higher levels of sanitization than we do and so if if it sufficient for them, I am assuming it is more that adequate for bronchiectasis/MAC/NTM.
Carol

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Thanks Carol!

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