In previous work identifying respiratory therapy devices as sources of bacterial contamination, emphasis was on the nebulizer or aerosol type of humidifier. This study shows that a nonaerosol type of humidifier has the potential for bacterial output.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
MortensenJD, HurdG, HillG: Bacterial contamination of oxygen used clinically—importance and one method of control. Dis Chest42:567, 1962.
2.
ReinarzJA, PierceAK, MaysBB, SanfordJP: The potential role of inhalation therapy equipment in nosocomial pulmonary infection. J Clin Invest44:831, 1965.
3.
FiererJ, TaylorPM, GezonHM: Pseudomonas aeruginosa epidemic traced to delivery-room resuscitators. N Engl J Med276:991, 1967.
4.
PhillipsI, SpencerG: Pseudomonas aeruginosa cross-infection due to contaminated respiratory apparatus. Lancet2:1325, 1965.
5.
FaveroMS, CarsonLA, BondWW, PetersenNJ: Pseudomonas aeruginosa: Growth in distilled water from hospitals. Science173:836, 1971.
6.
TeresD, SchweersP, BushnellLS, Hedley-WhyteJ, FeingoldDS: Sources of Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection in a respiratory/surgical intensive-therapy unit. Lancet1:415, 1973.
7.
MertzJJ, ScharerL, McClementJH: A hospital outbreak of Klebsiella pneumonia from inhalation therapy with contaminated aerosol solutions. Am Rev Respir Dis95:454, 1967.
