Fugitive Aerosols During Respiratory Therapy: Can Nebuliser Type Reduce Exposure?

Nebulisers are used to deliver aerosolized medication in the treatment of patients with respiratory illnesses. Studies have shown a portion of this medication can escape as fugitive aerosols and potentially be inhaled by healthcare workers. This study assesses the influence of nebuliser type on fugitive aerosols and therapeutic dose. Salbutamol was nebulised and delivered with a mouthpiece attached to a breathing simulator via a filter. Two Aerodynamic Particle Sizers at 0.8 m and 2.0 m from the nebuliser mouthpiece measured fugitive aerosols over a test duration of 45 minutes. The jet nebuliser (JN) in continuous nebulisation mode produced the highest fugitive aerosols while vibrating mesh nebuliser (VMN) had the lowest. The VMN also delivered the largest inhaled dose. These results can inform and improve current guidelines for healthcare workers that administer aerosol drug therapy.