Managing the shortage of single patient use nebulisers

January 19, 2023

Due to the recent increase in seasonal respiratory diseases NHS Supply chain are experiencing shortages of single use nebulisers and masks.

In order to protect available stocks please ensure they are only disposed of when the patient is discharged.

They are single patient use not single use and must be labelled with the patient’s ID.

IPC decontamination guidance:

• Wash hands and apply apron and non-sterile gloves
• Disassemble the nebuliser pot
• Do not rinse in a hand hygiene sink or in a dirty utility area
• Masks and pots should be cleaned with clinell universal wipes at bedside.
• Thoroughly wipe all pot and mask with the wipe, working from dirty to clean
• Allow to air dry on a separate single use pulp tray labelled with patient ID
• Invert, and cover with a clean hand towel at the patient’s bedside
• Staff to check components integrity and are in safe working order on reassembly at every use
• Where patients are able to, please encourage and help them to care for the mask and pot if they already do so at home

Any queries about stock issues, please contact the procurement team on 0121 507 4938.