Abstract
Aerosol-related equipment include specific otolaryngology examination and treatment devices that are widely used in otolaryngology outpatient clinics. Such equipment is used to facilitate diagnoses and to treat different ear, nose, mouth, pharynx and larynx disorders. Aerosol-related equipment include ENT examination and nebulizer units. ENT examination units can be used to spray medicated liquids or to suction secretions or blood from inside the ear, nose, oral cavity or pharynx; thus, the chance that an ENT examination unit may come in contact with a patient's skin or mucus membranes is quite large. Nebulizer units also come into direct contact with a patient's nose or oral cavity when used. At our hospital, the tips of the spray unit are disinfected after every use by wiping them with alcohol-soaked cotton pieces. Suction tips are changed after every use and are replaced with a disinfected tip. Our hospital uses an ultrasonic nebulizer. The present study investigated the presence and amount of bacteria and fungi on aerosol-related equipment including the tips of spray units, the liquid inside the units, the suction tips, and components of the nebulizer unit.
