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Nebulize prior to sputum culture
It's getting very difficult to produce sputum for culture, but I can if I nebulize with 7% saline. I thought if you nebulize with saline, there's a certain amount of wait time needed between nebulizing and air clearance to get the culture. Can anyone advise?
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@kathjjb When I needed a "forced"sputum culture I the doctor's office, they had medoing airway clearance and expectorating throughout the neb and afterwards. Saline did not affect it - it definitely was positive.
Hi Sue, I did the same at NJH, but couldn't remember if they used 7%, 3%, or sterile water in the nebulizer. My May sputum was negative-still waiting on June, and I just want to make sure I don't do anything that would cause a false negative.
Thank you for your speedy response.
Kathy
Same experience as Sue. If they need me to produce a sputum sample on the spot, they have me nebulize with 7% saline and cough throughout. I've had at least a couple positive samples done in the office. They have never said anything about waiting. This is at the NYU Bronchiectasis & NTM center which is great.
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1 ReactionThank you! I did use 7% after all but just wanted to make sure I was doing it correctly. It's a process to send to NJH and didn't want to take any chances of having to repeat the process. Not to mention expensive to mail. Kathy