Dr. Brian J Ring

Excerpt - Respiratory therapy practice brings sophisticated technology to the bedside to monitor and treat patients with acute and chronic respiratory diseases. Consequently, applying this technology results in a dizzying array of disposables. Face masks, ventilator circuits, suction catheters, nebulizers,
humidification chambers, and adapters of all shapes and sizes are single-use items disposed of as medical waste. The move from reusable devices to disposable devices in respiratory therapy is typically justified by concerns related to ethics, infection control, costs of cleaning (personnel and equipment), and simplicity. However, in many cases, the infection risk of reusables is overestimated.