Airborne Contamination of Fine-Particle Nebulizers
- Steven G. Kelsen, MD;
- Maryanne McGuckin, MS;
- David P. Kelsen, MD;
- Neil S. Cherniack, MD
Abstract
To determine whether bacteria present in ambient air play a role in the contamination of fine-particle reservoir nebulizers, nebulizers were placed in operation in separate hospital locations having qualitatively and quantitatively different bacterial flora in background air. Nebulizers placed in a surgical intensive care unit that had higher numbers of bacteria and a predominance of Gram-negative organisms in background air had a significantly higher incidence of nebulizer contamination (33.0%) than did nebulizers placed in a non-patient-care area that had lower bacterial counts and a predominance of Gram-positive organisms (0%) (P <.05). The present study indicates that airborne contamination of fine-particle reservoir nebulizers occurs when bacteria present in ambient air enter the nebulizer during its operation.
(JAMA 237:2311-2314, 1977)
Footnotes
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Reprint requests to Cardiovascular-Pulmonary Division, 973 Maloney Bldg, University of Pennsylvania Hospital, 3600 Spruce St, Philadelphia, PA 19104 (Dr S. Kelsen).
