Practical problems in supply and use of ultrasonic nebulizers at home for aerosol treatment of cystic fibrosis
Sandroni, A.; Tosi, M.; Mastella, G.
La Pediatria Medica e Chirurgica Medical and Surgical Pediatrics 14(1): 47-51
1992
ISSN/ISBN: 0391-5387 PMID: 1579517 Document Number: 396056
With the aim of evaluating the technical and administrative problems which are relevant to the home aerosol therapy through ultrasonic nebulizers in the management of cystic fibrosis (CF), a comparative study was performed on three types of devices. The study was carried out by means of a questionnaire on the basis of an intensive motivation of the users who were enrolled. The questionnaire was given to 36 families involved in the CF management: they were subdivided into 3 groups of twelve, to each one of whom one of the 3 types of devices had been prescribed. Thirty three families, 11 for each group, answered. With regard to the supply of the devices, an enormous delay was observed: on average from 48 to 111 days according to the groups. The major problems of endurance and maintenance were concerning the american nebulizer Devilbiss Ultranebb mod. 99, the highest costs regarded the German nebulizer Klava 5000. The users' comprehensive evaluation of the devices were fairly in accordance to the results concerning their endurance over time. However, the study showed also some defects of compliance in the patients and their families as regard to the disinfection of the instruments as prescribed by the care Center.