Hold the Boil! Wash Your Airway Clearance Equipment First
I’ve heard some of us are sterilizing our airway clearance devices by skipping the soapy warm water soak and jumping straight to boiling or steaming. But wait! ✨Soap and water are essential for the first cleaning step.✨ This physically removes bacteria, mucus, and medication residue that can build up on your equipment. Dr Falkinham, a microbiologist with a NTM laboratory at Virginia Tech, recommends using Dawn dish detergent. Manufacturers of nebulizers and OPEP devices, like the Aerobika, recommend a 15 minute soak in warm soapy water as the first cleaning step. I often leave mine in for longer. Even overnight! Soap helps loosen and remove contaminants, making rinsing and sterilization more effective. Remember to agitate! Swish the soapy water around your equipment to dislodge any stuck-on material. Then, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for sterilization. This might involve boiling, steam sterilization, or a disinfectant solution. Many devices should also be soaked monthly in one part water and one part vinegar for one hour to remove scale buildup. By following these steps, you can ensure your airway clearance equipment is clean and functioning properly. For more information on cleaning, sterilizing and de-scaling go to my YouTube channel and please subscribe! (And check out my very bad hair day!😂) https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYv0bQel-IptGJS3KoAuOsyt7ia0_AkBW&si=A2aQxYvWkYIuA0NL #nebulizer #Nebulizing #Nebuliser #nebulising #airwayclearance #BestPractices #Soap #UseSoap #UseSoapAndWater #Bronchiectasis
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AuthorLinda Cooper Esposito, MPH is a health educator with bronchiectasis. She developed the BE CLEAR Method to Living with Bronchiectasis and writes with compassion and humor about this chronic lung disease. Archives
February 2025
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