• Mary Lester, Dabney Eidson, Shaina Blair, Sue Gray, Pamela Sapp, Frank J Zupancic, Bruce C Marshall, and Ariel Berlinski.
• Keck Medicine of USC, Keck School of Medicine of USC, Los Angeles, California.
• Respir Care. 2021 Dec 1; 66 (12): 184018471840-1847.

BackgroundAlthough guidelines for inhaled therapies for individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF) are available, recommendations for compressors/nebulizers to optimize care are lacking. The CF Foundation (CFF) convened a multidisciplinary task force to assess the use, durability, accessibility, and cost burden of compressors/nebulizers.MethodsOnline surveys were developed and distributed to 287 CFF programs and adults with CF and parents of children with CF (adults with CF/parents).ResultsHealth care providers from 38 states completed the survey (59% response rate). Respiratory therapists were mostly responsible to coordinate ordering nebulizers and compressors. Durable medical equipment companies were the most common source of acquisition of compressors (71.8%) and nebulizers (45.9%). A majority of health care providers did not feel the compressors were durable (51.1%) or that they could get enough nebulizers to their patients (69.2%). Barriers to procure compressors were reported. The survey was completed by 734 adults with CF/parents from 48 states. Most adults with CF/parents rated their compressor as durable (65.8%); however, 85.5% of respondents reported some user-experience problem(s). "Hoses popping off" and "increased nebulization time" were most commonly reported. Almost 20% of respondents did not have access to a compressor at some point in the previous year. Most adults with CF/parents did not change compressor filters per manufacturer's recommendation (40% never). Adults with CF/parents reported performing a median of 4 inhaled treatments per day. Median use of nebulizers was 6 months. Most adults with CF/parents thought they had enough nebulizers (53.7%). Individuals with CF doing more inhaled treatments reported more compressor malfunctions. The median out-of-pocket expense was $75-99 and $50-74 for compressors and nebulizers, respectively.ConclusionsAlthough the perceptions of health care providers and adults with CF/parents differed to a certain extent, the surveys uncovered several significant issues that may compromise quality of care. Improvement in access to devices and education are needed.Copyright © 2021 by Daedalus Enterprises.

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