humidifiers

Specialties LTC Directors

Published

Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.

Does anyone know if there is a regulation about having a humidifier in a resident's room in long term care? I seem to remember something a few years ago about them being outlawed, but my administrator seems to think it's okay and I have a nurse practitioner saying this resident HAS to have one.

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Specializes in LTC, Hospice, Case Management.

Can't say that I've ever seen a regulation stating you can't, although I find it odd that I've never seen one used in LTC either. I would suspect possibly an infection control concern with forcing potential contamated airborne pathogens about the enviornment. My thinking is - if you aren't even suppose to shake out a clean sheet to make a bed then how could it be ok to force pressurized air around a room. Then my mind wonders if an airconditioner doesn't force air too. Yeah, I have a head cold and I am rambling. Hope you find something useful to ponder on. Sorry.

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I am thinking a humidifier is ok, but not a vaporizor..

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Specializes in psychiatry,geropsych,LTC/SNF, hospice.

We've used a humidifier a few times, and there's a policy in the P and P "bible" for it. It's been a while so I don't remember details, but it mostly has to do with specific ways to clean it.

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A lot of LTC facilities avoid using them and have outlawed them for infection control purposes. Since this particular person is needing it you'll need to come up with a strict policy regarding it's use and cleaning.

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