[Michelle Kennedy]

Hi Meryl, single use item only here at the JHH with a policy

Michelle Kennedy

CNC | Infection Prevention Service
John Hunter Hospital Campus
Lookout rd, New Lambton
Tel 02 4921 3129 | michelle.kennedy@hnehealth.nsw.gov.au
http://www.health.nsw.gov.au

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Sounds like there needs to be a policy on this, I have looked but can’t find a policy in regard to inhalers. There are disposable inhalers and the hard plastic inhalers as far as I can see state single patient use. There is no barrier to protect an inhaler to stop cross transmission.

Best practice would have to be single patient use for all inhalers and spacers, there is too much risk involved otherwise.

Melissa McEwan
Nurse Coordinator KAPC
Contractor to Defence
Wagga Wagga
02 69338413
melissa.mcewan@defence.gov.au

________________________________

Hi Meryl,

I agree with Michael, & Julie on the potential risk for transmission of droplet based organisms.

Our HCF only utilises inhalers as single patient use, & even our spacers are for single patient use & are purchased by the patient’s/parents.

Regards,

Che Jarvis
Acting CNC Infection Control| Nepean Hospital
Level 2, South Block
Tel 02 4734 2228 | Fax | Mob | che.jarvis@health.nsw.gov.au
http://www.health.nsw.gov.au
[http://www0.health.nsw.gov.au/images/communications/e-signatures/images/NSW-Health-Nepean-Blue-Mountains-LHD.jpg]
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Hi Meryl,

I agree with Michael regarding potential risks of droplet contamination of respiratory viruses within the inhaler if used between patients.

In our HCF the inhalers we use are labelled as single patient use so they are only approved for more than one episode of use on one patient only. We do not reuse these items for different patients. They are cleaned with a neutral detergent when required although we do ask that staff check the manufacturer’s instructions as some are not designed to be cleaned or dismantled & have a life expectancy similar to a puffer.

Regards

Julie Hunt

Clinical Nurse Consultant
Infection Prevention & Control
Royal North Shore Hospital
Reserve Rd St Leonards 2065
Tel 02 99264339 or 99264490

Good morning everyone,

I have been approached our ED to find out the risks of cross-infection through use of an inhaler with a spacer. To put this into context, the use of spacers is restricted to individual patients, but the inhalers are currently used for multiple patients. My concerns are as follows:

* Children in ED are usually undifferentiated as and such we do not know what infection they have or what kind of additional transmission-based precautions might be required.

* The valve in the spacer is a valve not a filter thus there is the possibility of contamination of the inhaler through the valve of the spacer.

* The inhaler sits at the patient’s bedside before moving to the medication room and then on to another patient’s room, being handled by children, parents and nursing staff along the way.
Thus far I have not been able to find any literature on this but was wondering if anyone could inform me what their local practice is and the rationale behind it.

Many thanks in advance,

Meryl

Meryl Jones
Clinical Nurse
Infection Management and Prevention Service

Children’s Health Queensland Hospital and Health Service
Level 12
Lady Cilento Children’s Hospital, South Brisbane QLD 4101

T: 07 3068 4145.
E: meryl.jones@health.qld.gov.au
W: http://www.childrens.health.qld.gov.au

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