Cleaning + disinfecting nebulizer and aerobica

Posted by sara10 @sara10, Jan 20, 2022

Diagnosed with bronchiectasis several years ago. No antibiotics so far but 2x airway clearance with aerobica and nebulizer recommended. Some MAC bacteria was found.
Finding all sorts of info how to properly clean and disinfect but none agree with the other. Should both be cleaned each time and is it good enough to disinfect once a week? Alcohol, hydrogen peroxide or boiling best option?
Finding the whole process very tedious especially if cleaning 2x per day was necessary.
Does anybody have experience with Evenflo silicone steam sanitizing bag for disinfecting? Or, what baby bottle cleaner and dryer can you recommend?

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

bayarea58 | @bayarea58 | Jun 1 10:01am

In reply to @becleartoday "This research won a prize at the NYC World Bronchiectasis Conference two years ago." + (show)

@becleartoday @sueinmn I only see the slide not the study itself but is the thinking that these results extend generally, I.e. low amounts attach to our daily use items generally, extending to say toothbrushes, or is the thinking that it is the specific materials that the nebulizer and Aerobika are made from that are resistant to the attachment of NTM, presumably bacteria generally.

becleartoday | @becleartoday | Jun 1 10:46am

This is what the poster says:
CONCLUSION
The test was designed to provide a worst-case scenario, with a very high-density suspension of M. avium cells and a long
24-hr period to allow for adherence.
Compared to copper, stainless steel, galvanized steel, and PVC surfaces (average > 2,000 cells/cm' in 24 hr.), the number of adherent M. avium cells on the surfaces of the AeroEclipse* XL BAN* Nebulizer and Aerobika* OPEP device is minimal.
Thus, even under a worst-case scenario, the measurements indicate the materials comprising the Aerobika* OPEP and AeroEclipse* XL BAN* Nebulizer devices fail to collect adherent M. avium cells.
This provides some assurance to patients that the risk of infection from such microorganisms will be low

Linda Esposito

annagh | @annagh | Jun 1 11:54am

In reply to @detsdum ""You can easily tell if it happens-suddenly there's no resistance." When that happened to me I..." + (show)

When my Aerobika gets "stuck" I slap it against the heel of my other hand, or sometimes my thigh and thigh and, as you said, it then works fine.
Anna

bayarea58 | @bayarea58 | Jun 1 4:35pm

In reply to @becleartoday "This is what the poster says: CONCLUSION The test was designed to provide a worst-case scenario,..." + (show)

@becleartoday Linda I know you have a consulting relationship with the company that distributes the Aeroclipse and Aerobika … do you know if they disclose what the specific composition of the materials that the two devices are made out of? Is it just plain plastic? The poster you quote seems to be comparing the Aeroclipse and Aerobika to common materials found in plumbing. I am wondering if these results for the Aeroclipse might also to plastic generally and more specifically to the Pari nebulizer cups. Or are the Aeroclipse/Aerobika manufactured with a proprietary material that may distinguish it in terms of antibacterial qualities? Maybe that is true for all nebulizers? Anyone know?

pacathy | @pacathy | Jun 2 6:56am

In reply to @detsdum ""You can easily tell if it happens-suddenly there's no resistance." When that happened to me I..." + (show)

I'm glad to know they have malfunctioned for others. Had thought it was just me. : ). Thanks for the tip. Mine didn't stay stuck though. I had to take pics while exhaling on old and new to figure out that the new one was opening during exhale, preventing new flutter valve from working, then it quickly closed again. It didn't happen on all of them-just part at that time. I tried an Accapella and it worked great until just after Amazon return period ended : ), then the small plastic piece holding flutter valve broke. I rarely bring up sputum and mostly gave up then. I use exercise or Autogenic drainage app now. Note-I do have a working and clean Aerobika to use if I start producing mucus. So many here like it, it must help with that.

blm1007blm1007 | @blm1007blm1007 | Jun 2 10:39am

In reply to @becleartoday "When it comes to water intake and airway clearance, there are definitely differing professional opinions—and I..." + (show)

Dr. Huitt retiring was a great loss for NJH. In a video I watched with her discussing acid reflux she indicated she herself had reflux problems, acid reflux. So she would know " water is one of the most common substances to reflux."
Barbara

formergardener | @formergardener | Jun 2 1:57pm

In reply to @sheila7a "I don't breath in through my nebulizer. I just wash the mouthpiece everyday. The Aerobika about..." + (show)

I label mine with a sharpie with the date I began using it. I tape a post it also on my compressor with the sage when I changed the tubing.

sheila7a | @sheila7a | Jun 2 9:12pm

When I soak my aerobika the sharpie washes off.
Good idea with the post it notes.
I could get the small ones and put number on each piece after soak.

becleartoday | @becleartoday | Jun 3 4:43am

In reply to @bayarea58 "@becleartoday Linda I know you have a consulting relationship with the company that distributes the Aeroclipse..." + (show)

The study only tested the Aerobika and AeroEclipse XL, and only against specific bacteria.

In reviewing research from other scientists who examined baby bottle steam sterilizers, I didn’t see any mention of difficulty inoculating the devices. However, that’s the extent of the information currently available to me.

While Dr. Falkinham’s findings are reassuring—especially for those days when life disrupts our usual routines—I hope we’re all continuing to clean and sterilize our devices regularly. Consistency remains key in minimizing infection risk. Linda

becleartoday | @becleartoday | Jun 3 4:47am

In reply to @pacathy "I'm glad to know they have malfunctioned for others. Had thought it was just me. :..." + (show)

I highly recommend calling Monaghan Medical Corp. if you are having issues with your Aerobika. The company is responsive and honors the warranty. And they should… It is a lifelong relationship after all and these devices are not inexpensive!
Linda Esposito