What cause Droplets in tubing to nebulizer

Posted by sara10 @sara10, Aug 22, 2023

I use the Aerobica and the Aeroclipse XL together to nebulize saline and save time (instead of doing one after the other). However, I am having issues with moisture droplets in the tubing. My technique must be wrong?
What do I need to change?
Thank you for your kind comments.

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It may be condensation. Mayo’s educator told me to leave nebulizer running for a minute or two after I finished to dry out the tubing. Are you doing that?

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Droplets will accumulate in tubing so when finished nebulizing always let machine run for 1-2 minutes to move the droplets. Always change the tubing once a month.

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I notice more condensation on humid days. When finished nebulizing, I run just the tubing a few minutes downwards into a bowl, etc. Sometimes flick along tubing w/finger & move condensation down to end to drip out.

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Putting my two cents in to this discussion. A few months I noticed quite a lot of condensation / or droplets in the tubing. I put the question out to the Mayo group and even called the manufacturer of the neb kit--no help. I knew it was not a good idea to continue to use tubing that had moisture in it so was just very frustrated. Then, not long ago I was attaching the tubing and noticed that the bottom of the medicine cup channel that the tubing attaches to had a bit of medication. I took the corner of a paper towel, twisted it tight to make a thin tip and just held it to the base and it absorbed it completely. For me, problem solved. I have not had any issues since. It does not happen often but I always look so I can resolve the problem. Faye

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Yes, it’s always a good idea to blow out your tubing using air from the compressor without the cup attached after you have finished nebulizing.

Additionally, I change my tubing monthly based on
the recommendation from National Jewish Health. Previously the recommendation was every six months.

I also use the Aeroeclipse XL. The tubing is packaged with a cup, and I have suggested to the company that they package the tubing separately for monthly replacement. It would be helpful if others were to reach out to them with this recommendation. In the meantime, I buy Pari tubing with the blue wing tips.

Monaghan Medical
mailto:customerservice@monaghanmed.com

Best,
Linda Esposito

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I read that NJH says to replace tubing every two weeks. Maybe they changed it to monthly or visa versa?

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Why does the tubing need to be replaced so frequently? Even if a few drops of medicine were to somehow backwash into the tubing at the nebulizer cup, wouldn't that just get blown out by running the air through the tubing at the end of the nebulizing session? I have a Philips Respironics InnoSpire Essence compressor and rarely see moisture in the tubing.

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@tcd518

Why does the tubing need to be replaced so frequently? Even if a few drops of medicine were to somehow backwash into the tubing at the nebulizer cup, wouldn't that just get blown out by running the air through the tubing at the end of the nebulizing session? I have a Philips Respironics InnoSpire Essence compressor and rarely see moisture in the tubing.

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Since the tubing cannot be cleaned, they recommend replacing it. I read NJH says every two weeks but most people do not do that. I do. Once a month may be sufficient?

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@tcd518

Why does the tubing need to be replaced so frequently? Even if a few drops of medicine were to somehow backwash into the tubing at the nebulizer cup, wouldn't that just get blown out by running the air through the tubing at the end of the nebulizing session? I have a Philips Respironics InnoSpire Essence compressor and rarely see moisture in the tubing.

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Hi tcd518. My concern is moisture lingering in the tube would be an environment that would invite bacterial growth. We DO NOT need that as we do our daily nebbing. When ever I saw moisture I would run the compressor with just the tube attached, but no matter how long I would run it it would not clear the moisture. I did order extra tubing but finally found the solution that I mentioned yesterday that has worked great.

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