Inhaler Cleaning

[sls73]

How do other facilities clean their inhalers for residents? Please and Thank-you in response for your answers.

[gvernz]

In the previous facility I worked with, we clean our nebulizer Face masks / hand held neb tubings with mouthpiece with 2:1 solution of warm water and vinegar. Rinse well and dry them in paper towel. Machines are just wiped clean with clean towels. Please don't use disinfecting agents as it is harmful to the patients when they use the tubings /machine for inhalation.

[sls73]

Thanks! These are those multi-dose inhalers that the residents use. Do you use a tissue just to wipe them off or a alcohol pad. Hearing different stories.

[debRN0417]

Take the med vial out and rinse well. Dry. Replace med vial. Dont use alcohol, leaves a residue that the resident will get in their mouth. Make sure the resident is rinsing their mouth after each use as well. I have not seen or heard of using any products on these devices. If the resident were at home, they would have probably been instructed to take the thingy apart and rinse and dry well. Use only a mild soap and rinse well if there is lipstick or any visible residue.

Figure though that 50% of people who use inhalers have them floating around in the bottom of their purse or pocket...but in the "perfect world" (and LTC) we are expected to rinse, and dry well after each use.

[CoffeeRTC, BSN, RN]

Wow...I'm willing to bet that no one cleans the inhalers where I work. (I haven't) but I do clean the face masks to the nebs with soap and water. They get disgusting fast.

Good post/ question!