2004 OPEN FORUM Abstracts
THE USE OF THE GIN BABY NEBULIZER IN LONG TERM CARE
Anna
Tapolcsanyi, RRT, Teresa A. Volsko, MHHS, RRT, FAARC Advanced
Health Systems, Inc., Hudson, Ohio
Limited
resources along the continuum of care often require that equipment
used in acute care be adapted to meet patient needs in the long term
care environment. The purpose of this study was to evaluate an
efficient means for delivering high to medium concentrations of
humidified oxygen to tracheostomized residents in skilled nursing
facilities. We hypothesized that the GinBaby nebulizer could provide
stable and predictable concentrations of oxygen and flow when used
with an oxygen concentrator and air compressor.
METHODS: An
Easy Air® compressor set at 20 PSI was used to provide the
primary gas source which produced a measured flow of 24 LPM.
Seventy-two inches of large bore tubing connected the nebulizer to
the tracheostomy mask. A water trap was placed inline at the tubing’s
mid point. Invacare 5 ® oxygen concentrators provided the
secondary source gas. Prior to connecting the secondary gas inlet
tube to the nipple adaptor on the oxygen concentrator a flow
verification and analysis procedure confirmed 95% oxygen was provided
at 2 LPM. Flow rates greater than 5 LPM were provided by linking two
concentrators in tandem with a tee connector. A Mini Ox III ®
oxygen analyzer was calibrated and placed inline proximal to the
mask. FIO2 were analyzed and recorded at each
flow variation from 0.5 to 10 LPM in 0.5 LPM increments after a
two-minute stabilization time. The experimental conditions were
repeated using six different nebulizer tops from three distinct lots.
Total flow was calculated as the sum of flow from the primary and
secondary gas sources. Data were analyzed using linear regression
analysis. Significance was established at p< 0.05.
RESULTS:Analysis on a multivariate level revealed a statistically
significant correlation between flow and FIO2
(p=0.001, R Square = 0.926.
CONCLUSIONS:
The use of the GinBaby nebulizer was able to produce stable low
to medium concentrations of oxygen. FIO2 can be
reliably adjusted by changing the flow on the secondary gas source.
Name
and credentials: Anna Tapolcsanyi, RRT
Mailing
Address: 561 East
Hines Hill Road Hudson, Ohio 44236
Voice Phone: 330-603-8069
Fax:
330-603-8069
Corresponding
Author
Name and credentials:
Anna Tapolcsanyi, RRT
Mailing
Address: 561 East
Hines Hill Road Hudson, Ohio 44236
Voice Phone:
330-603-8069
Fax:
330-603-8069