Skip to Main Content
 

Global Search Box

 
 
 
 

Files

File List


30645.pdf (2.64 MB)

ETD Abstract Container

Abstract Header

Inhalation Exposure and Respiratory Protection of Home Healthcare Workers Administering Aerosolized Medications (Simulation Study)

Ollier, Katherine J
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1535460244928302

Abstract Details

2018, MS, University of Cincinnati, Medicine: Industrial Hygiene (Environmental Health).
There is little information regarding the aerosol exposure produced by a medical nebulizer and the factors that affect the exposure, especially when the treatment is performed in a patient home environment. Home healthcare workers (HHWs) is a rapidly growing work population often exposed to significant aerosol hazards. In this study, we designed a simulated environment to measure the inhalation aerosol exposure of a HHW under different conditions. We also determined the relative contributions of different factors on the aerosol reduction in the exposure chamber simulating a patient’s bedroom. Those conditions included room air exchange rate, proximity to the patient, and the patient breathing rate. Additionally, the performance of different respiratory protective devices typically worn by a HHW, a surgical mask and N95 filtering facepiece respirator (FFR), was evaluated. NaCl was used as a surrogate for nebulizer-aerosolized medication. The particle concentration in the breathing zone of an unprotected worker ranged from 7,118 to 284,600 cm-3. For unprotected HHWs, ventilation was the most effective mean to reduce the occupational exposure to medical aerosols produced during nebulizer-based treatment. An increase in air exchange rate from 0 (calm air) to 5 h-1 significantly reduced the exposure; however, further increase from 5 to 17 h-1 provided only a minor decrease in the particle concentration. Consequently, there is no evidence that patient homes should need an extremely efficient ventilation in order to mitigate the HHW’s exposure to the nebulizer-produced medications. In homes with no ventilation, a HHW standing at least 24 inches from the particle source could have significantly lower exposure risk. Increase in patient breathing flow rate was found to reduce the inhalation aerosol exposure. However, this factor cannot be controlled, which makes this effect of no practical implication for controlling the HHW’s exposure. Wearing respiratory protection devices was found to be the most efficient way to reduce aerosol exposure. As expected, an N95 FFR with a proper seal was about 20 times more efficient than a surgical mask.
Sergey Grinshpun, Ph.D. (Committee Chair)
Tiina Reponen, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
26 p.
Environmental Health
aerosol exposure; respiratory protection; home healthcare; medical nebulizer

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Ollier, K. J. (2018). Inhalation Exposure and Respiratory Protection of Home Healthcare Workers Administering Aerosolized Medications (Simulation Study) [Master's thesis, University of Cincinnati]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1535460244928302

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Ollier, Katherine. Inhalation Exposure and Respiratory Protection of Home Healthcare Workers Administering Aerosolized Medications (Simulation Study). 2018. University of Cincinnati, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1535460244928302.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Ollier, Katherine. "Inhalation Exposure and Respiratory Protection of Home Healthcare Workers Administering Aerosolized Medications (Simulation Study)." Master's thesis, University of Cincinnati, 2018. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1535460244928302

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ucin1535460244928302
299
© 2018, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by University of Cincinnati and OhioLINK.