Abstract
The microbial contamination of residual inhalation solutions was evaluated in jet-type nebulizers disinfected at 7-day intervals in a hospital. Contamination was observed at a level of 102-107 viable count/mL in 13 (50%) of 26 samples. The major microorganisms were Burkholderia cepacia, Acinetobacter haemolyticus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Pseudomonas fluorescens and Acinetobacter baumannii complex. After the frequency of nebulizer disinfection was changed to every day, evaluation of the microbial contamination of jet-type nebulizers showed no viable cells in any of the 21 samples examined.
