Another neb cleaning question

[Rebjane]

I am trying to be more organized with cleaning Maggie's nebs. She does 4 nebs a day and we boil once a day. So, after each neb do you rinse off the medicine before the boil or just boil it? Before I was using one neb for the day washing with antibacterial soap between uses then boiling once a day. I want to use a sterile neb with each treatment now instead. Hope this makes sense. Also, I was thinking of getting a pressure cooker to sterilize nebs. anyone do this and what do you think? My husband suggested the pressure cooker idea.

Thanks alot.

 

[Rebjane]

I am trying to be more organized with cleaning Maggie's nebs. She does 4 nebs a day and we boil once a day. So, after each neb do you rinse off the medicine before the boil or just boil it? Before I was using one neb for the day washing with antibacterial soap between uses then boiling once a day. I want to use a sterile neb with each treatment now instead. Hope this makes sense. Also, I was thinking of getting a pressure cooker to sterilize nebs. anyone do this and what do you think? My husband suggested the pressure cooker idea.

Thanks alot.

 

[Rebjane]

I am trying to be more organized with cleaning Maggie's nebs. She does 4 nebs a day and we boil once a day. So, after each neb do you rinse off the medicine before the boil or just boil it? Before I was using one neb for the day washing with antibacterial soap between uses then boiling once a day. I want to use a sterile neb with each treatment now instead. Hope this makes sense. Also, I was thinking of getting a pressure cooker to sterilize nebs. anyone do this and what do you think? My husband suggested the pressure cooker idea.

Thanks alot.

 

[folione]

I rinse the neb cups and leave them in an open container then wash a batch of them in soapy water with a dash of bleach. After a good rinse, I nuke them in a baby bottle microwave sterilizer and shake them dry. I heard that some meds can gum up the little holes in the neb cups, hence the rinsing after use.

Don't know about a pressure cooker.

 

[folione]

I rinse the neb cups and leave them in an open container then wash a batch of them in soapy water with a dash of bleach. After a good rinse, I nuke them in a baby bottle microwave sterilizer and shake them dry. I heard that some meds can gum up the little holes in the neb cups, hence the rinsing after use.

Don't know about a pressure cooker.

 

[folione]

I rinse the neb cups and leave them in an open container then wash a batch of them in soapy water with a dash of bleach. After a good rinse, I nuke them in a baby bottle microwave sterilizer and shake them dry. I heard that some meds can gum up the little holes in the neb cups, hence the rinsing after use.

Don't know about a pressure cooker.

 

[Ratatosk]

Yeah, I don't know about a pressure cooker -- for me it'd be just one more thing taking up space in the kitchen. I do keep a clean empty pot that I only use for nebs on the stove all the time instead of putting it away after each use.

If you don't rinse the tobi one right away it gets gummed up and won't work. So I always make sure that one is rinsed out and then I boil everything once a day over the noon hour. Our RT gives us LOTS of spare nebulizers -- a backpack full after every visits, so we keep spares and then I only have to boil once a day.

 

[Ratatosk]

Yeah, I don't know about a pressure cooker -- for me it'd be just one more thing taking up space in the kitchen. I do keep a clean empty pot that I only use for nebs on the stove all the time instead of putting it away after each use.

If you don't rinse the tobi one right away it gets gummed up and won't work. So I always make sure that one is rinsed out and then I boil everything once a day over the noon hour. Our RT gives us LOTS of spare nebulizers -- a backpack full after every visits, so we keep spares and then I only have to boil once a day.

 

[Ratatosk]

Yeah, I don't know about a pressure cooker -- for me it'd be just one more thing taking up space in the kitchen. I do keep a clean empty pot that I only use for nebs on the stove all the time instead of putting it away after each use.

If you don't rinse the tobi one right away it gets gummed up and won't work. So I always make sure that one is rinsed out and then I boil everything once a day over the noon hour. Our RT gives us LOTS of spare nebulizers -- a backpack full after every visits, so we keep spares and then I only have to boil once a day.

 

[LouLou]

Why not get some extra nebs so you have a day or two of nebs. This is not just a suggestion for convenience sake but if you really want to be doing everything 'right' you shouldn't be putting medicine into a neb that has water on it - sterile or not. Nebs should be dry when starting. Maybe you are drying your's some how but I highly doubt the air is drying them quickly enough to use them 4 times per day! I did the boiling for a number of years but eventuallly I decided the mineral deposits just couldn't possibly be good for my lungs.

This is what I do and it works wonderfully for me. I have a rubbermaid container that I put all the parts into - one container for pulmozyme neb parts and one for Tobi neb parts - since they aren't supposed to be washed together. One the container gets full (3-4 days - I have 15-20 nebs at any given time ) I know it's time to wash nebs. I always wash nebs at least 24 hours before I need them to alllow ample drying time. I'm not into extra steps like using a hairdryer or what have you. Okay back to the steps. I fill the container up with warm water and anitbacterial Palmolive dish soap. I shake it vigorously and then let sit for 2 min. and then shake again. I dump the water and then put the faucet over the container until the water runs clear (no soap bubbles). Then I put two bottles of hydrogen peroxide in the container. Close it up and shake every 10 min leaving them in the sterilizing bath for 30 min. Meanwhile I heat water on the stove. Use a pot that is amply sized to accomodate all the nebs in a later step. Boil the water for 15 min. (this creates sterile water). Finally dump the hydrogen peroxide into the sink out of the container (not over dishes!! H2O2 can eat metal!) and then place the sterile nebs in the water. I use the water within 30 minutes to ensure that it is still sterile. I have tongs and a strainer especially for neb cleaning (no food contact) and after all nebs are rinsed in the sterile water they go in the wire basket strainer. I give them a few 'shakes' to remove excess water and then I blow out each neb base with my air hose from on my compressor because that little duct is what I found took the longest to air dry. Getting all the water out speeds the process which again is not only for convenience so they will be usable sooner but also I don't think leaving water on nebs for extended periods of time is good because I would venture to guess it starts to breed infection. Germs love water!

 

[LouLou]

Why not get some extra nebs so you have a day or two of nebs. This is not just a suggestion for convenience sake but if you really want to be doing everything 'right' you shouldn't be putting medicine into a neb that has water on it - sterile or not. Nebs should be dry when starting. Maybe you are drying your's some how but I highly doubt the air is drying them quickly enough to use them 4 times per day! I did the boiling for a number of years but eventuallly I decided the mineral deposits just couldn't possibly be good for my lungs.

This is what I do and it works wonderfully for me. I have a rubbermaid container that I put all the parts into - one container for pulmozyme neb parts and one for Tobi neb parts - since they aren't supposed to be washed together. One the container gets full (3-4 days - I have 15-20 nebs at any given time ) I know it's time to wash nebs. I always wash nebs at least 24 hours before I need them to alllow ample drying time. I'm not into extra steps like using a hairdryer or what have you. Okay back to the steps. I fill the container up with warm water and anitbacterial Palmolive dish soap. I shake it vigorously and then let sit for 2 min. and then shake again. I dump the water and then put the faucet over the container until the water runs clear (no soap bubbles). Then I put two bottles of hydrogen peroxide in the container. Close it up and shake every 10 min leaving them in the sterilizing bath for 30 min. Meanwhile I heat water on the stove. Use a pot that is amply sized to accomodate all the nebs in a later step. Boil the water for 15 min. (this creates sterile water). Finally dump the hydrogen peroxide into the sink out of the container (not over dishes!! H2O2 can eat metal!) and then place the sterile nebs in the water. I use the water within 30 minutes to ensure that it is still sterile. I have tongs and a strainer especially for neb cleaning (no food contact) and after all nebs are rinsed in the sterile water they go in the wire basket strainer. I give them a few 'shakes' to remove excess water and then I blow out each neb base with my air hose from on my compressor because that little duct is what I found took the longest to air dry. Getting all the water out speeds the process which again is not only for convenience so they will be usable sooner but also I don't think leaving water on nebs for extended periods of time is good because I would venture to guess it starts to breed infection. Germs love water!

 

[LouLou]

Why not get some extra nebs so you have a day or two of nebs. This is not just a suggestion for convenience sake but if you really want to be doing everything 'right' you shouldn't be putting medicine into a neb that has water on it - sterile or not. Nebs should be dry when starting. Maybe you are drying your's some how but I highly doubt the air is drying them quickly enough to use them 4 times per day! I did the boiling for a number of years but eventuallly I decided the mineral deposits just couldn't possibly be good for my lungs.

This is what I do and it works wonderfully for me. I have a rubbermaid container that I put all the parts into - one container for pulmozyme neb parts and one for Tobi neb parts - since they aren't supposed to be washed together. One the container gets full (3-4 days - I have 15-20 nebs at any given time ) I know it's time to wash nebs. I always wash nebs at least 24 hours before I need them to alllow ample drying time. I'm not into extra steps like using a hairdryer or what have you. Okay back to the steps. I fill the container up with warm water and anitbacterial Palmolive dish soap. I shake it vigorously and then let sit for 2 min. and then shake again. I dump the water and then put the faucet over the container until the water runs clear (no soap bubbles). Then I put two bottles of hydrogen peroxide in the container. Close it up and shake every 10 min leaving them in the sterilizing bath for 30 min. Meanwhile I heat water on the stove. Use a pot that is amply sized to accomodate all the nebs in a later step. Boil the water for 15 min. (this creates sterile water). Finally dump the hydrogen peroxide into the sink out of the container (not over dishes!! H2O2 can eat metal!) and then place the sterile nebs in the water. I use the water within 30 minutes to ensure that it is still sterile. I have tongs and a strainer especially for neb cleaning (no food contact) and after all nebs are rinsed in the sterile water they go in the wire basket strainer. I give them a few 'shakes' to remove excess water and then I blow out each neb base with my air hose from on my compressor because that little duct is what I found took the longest to air dry. Getting all the water out speeds the process which again is not only for convenience so they will be usable sooner but also I don't think leaving water on nebs for extended periods of time is good because I would venture to guess it starts to breed infection. Germs love water!

 

[Rebjane]

Thank you for all your suggestions. What I do is boil the nebs right after maggie's last treatment of the day, lay the neb out on paper towels to dry and then in the morning her nebs are ready for use. I want to use a sterile one each time. I went through our supplies and I have about a dozen pari's, which is good. So I think I'll use between 4-5 nebs a day, boil over night and be ready to go. Finding space for everything is a challenge. Especially when we have kids/family over, having the nebs on the counter is not the best place, I think I'll get a large rubbermaid container so they will be out of the way. I also noticed the big pot we use is becoming discolored from mineral deposits. as well as eventually the nebs get discolored from boiling.

 

[Rebjane]

Thank you for all your suggestions. What I do is boil the nebs right after maggie's last treatment of the day, lay the neb out on paper towels to dry and then in the morning her nebs are ready for use. I want to use a sterile one each time. I went through our supplies and I have about a dozen pari's, which is good. So I think I'll use between 4-5 nebs a day, boil over night and be ready to go. Finding space for everything is a challenge. Especially when we have kids/family over, having the nebs on the counter is not the best place, I think I'll get a large rubbermaid container so they will be out of the way. I also noticed the big pot we use is becoming discolored from mineral deposits. as well as eventually the nebs get discolored from boiling.

 

[Rebjane]

Thank you for all your suggestions. What I do is boil the nebs right after maggie's last treatment of the day, lay the neb out on paper towels to dry and then in the morning her nebs are ready for use. I want to use a sterile one each time. I went through our supplies and I have about a dozen pari's, which is good. So I think I'll use between 4-5 nebs a day, boil over night and be ready to go. Finding space for everything is a challenge. Especially when we have kids/family over, having the nebs on the counter is not the best place, I think I'll get a large rubbermaid container so they will be out of the way. I also noticed the big pot we use is becoming discolored from mineral deposits. as well as eventually the nebs get discolored from boiling.

 

[Ratatosk]

I keep a gallon of vinegar in the kitchen on top of the fridge. Prior to washing the nebs in hot water, I put vinegar in the neb cups in the pot, which I use to boil them in and let them soak for about 5-10 minutes. Gets rid of all the calcium deposits. Then I wash and boil nebs.

 

[Ratatosk]

I keep a gallon of vinegar in the kitchen on top of the fridge. Prior to washing the nebs in hot water, I put vinegar in the neb cups in the pot, which I use to boil them in and let them soak for about 5-10 minutes. Gets rid of all the calcium deposits. Then I wash and boil nebs.

 

[Ratatosk]

I keep a gallon of vinegar in the kitchen on top of the fridge. Prior to washing the nebs in hot water, I put vinegar in the neb cups in the pot, which I use to boil them in and let them soak for about 5-10 minutes. Gets rid of all the calcium deposits. Then I wash and boil nebs.

 

[CaliSally]

I've been told by accredited CF center NOT to use bleach!!!

My regimen:
I take xopenex, pulmo and hypertonic saline. I know for THESE meds, I can use the SAME neb, just being certain that one med is finished before adding the next.

When done with all, I rinse my neb with lukewarm water and set aside to use later that day. After pm dose, I rinse in lukewarm water and put in tub, to boil with rest of nebs. But I DO rinse them before boiling. I don't use the same neb the next day unless it's been boiled.

I boil for 5 minutes on stove - but DON'T walk away. I did that once and totally forgot them - all the water boiled off and I had two melted nebs, with the smoke detector going off. I have 3-5 nebs around, so I always have a clean one.

I've been told that this method is totally acceptable.

Again, I've been told NOT to use bleach (and I THINK that goes for vinegar too).

Does someone have a link to the CF foundation guidelines on this? I know I got a paper about this once from my center.

 

[CaliSally]

I've been told by accredited CF center NOT to use bleach!!!

My regimen:
I take xopenex, pulmo and hypertonic saline. I know for THESE meds, I can use the SAME neb, just being certain that one med is finished before adding the next.

When done with all, I rinse my neb with lukewarm water and set aside to use later that day. After pm dose, I rinse in lukewarm water and put in tub, to boil with rest of nebs. But I DO rinse them before boiling. I don't use the same neb the next day unless it's been boiled.

I boil for 5 minutes on stove - but DON'T walk away. I did that once and totally forgot them - all the water boiled off and I had two melted nebs, with the smoke detector going off. I have 3-5 nebs around, so I always have a clean one.

I've been told that this method is totally acceptable.

Again, I've been told NOT to use bleach (and I THINK that goes for vinegar too).

Does someone have a link to the CF foundation guidelines on this? I know I got a paper about this once from my center.