Nebulisation

We appreciate that you inform the child or young person and their family of the need to administer a nebuliser and identify any previous experience the child or young person has of receiving nebuliser therapy and how this was tolerated. Using age and/or developmentally appropriate language, we explain the procedure to the child or young person and explain this to the parent/carer as well. If possible, we allow the child or young person some control and choice about the procedure such as using a mask or a mouthpiece, or who should hold the nebuliser.

Some dosages of the prescribed medication may give a small solution volume. In order to be effective, nebulisers should only be administered with volumes equal to or greater than 2.5ml and different medicines should be administered separately.

Ensure the choice of gas (air or oxygen) is suitable for the patient. Nebulisers should only be given using oxygen if:
The patient is oxygen dependant.
The patient is in acute respiratory distress and requires additional oxygen therapy.

Nebulisers take on average five to ten minutes to administer. When the aerosol becomes less apparent, but there is obviously still solution that could be nebulised, the child/nurse/carer gently tap the chamber. When no further aerosol can be seen and the nebuliser set sounds ’empty’, the nebuliser is complete and the gas is turned off. We help in assisting the child to remove the mask/mouthpiece. We document that the nebuliser has been given and any effect it had on the child / young person. A set of observations is then recorded after the completion of the nebuliser.

We sometimes recommend large doses of nebulised antibiotics which is used to treat or control persistent infections in the airways without increasing antibiotic systemic levels. This avoids the side effects of antibiotics given by alternative routes. Children under five years or those unable to carry out lung function have their saturations monitored and recorded throughout the procedure and for 10 minutes afterwards. Our staff are well disciplined and responsible enough to wear masks and personal protective equipment when administering an antibiotic nebuliser.

We, at Feenixx, undertake this procedure only after approved training, supervised practice and competency assessment, and carried out in accordance with local policies and protocols.