Investigation of Fugitive Aerosols Released into the Environment during High-Flow Therapy.

ABSTRACT: Nebulised medical aerosols are designed to deliver drugs to the lungs to aid in the treatment of respiratory diseases. However, an unintended consequence is the potential for fugitive emissions during patient treatment, which may pose a risk factor in both clinical and homecare settings. The current study examined the potential for fugitive emissions, using albuterol sulphate as a tracer aerosol during high-flow therapy. A nasal cannula was connected to a head model or alternatively, a interface was connected to a tracheostomy tube in combination with a simulated adult and paediatric breathing profile. Two aerodynamic particle sizers (APS) recorded time-series aerosol concentrations and size distributions at two different distances relative to the simulated patient. The results showed that

SUBMITTER: McGrath JA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6630289 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature