Respiratory care
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During invasive mechanical ventilation, where medical gases are very dry and the upper airway is bypassed, appropriate gas conditioning and humidification are mandatory at all times. Results of in vitro studies suggest that dry gases may improve lung deposition during nebulization, but this has not been confirmed through in vivo studies. The objective of this study was to measure gas humidity under multiple conditions to better describe gas hygrometry when heated humidifiers are turned off. ⋯ When heated humidifiers are turned off, gas humidity levels are very low but not as low as medical gases. The clinical impact of repeated shutdowns is unknown. As recommended, heated humidifiers should never be turned off during nebulization.
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Medication adherence to inhaler therapy is pivotal for optimizing the management of COPD. Individuals with COPD often have suboptimal adherence behaviors to inhaler therapy. Illness perception and beliefs about medicines have been proved to be associated with medication adherence. Nevertheless, the influence of illness perception and medication beliefs on adherence to inhaler therapy among elderly individuals with COPD in China remains unclear. ⋯ This study suggests that essential interventions targeting beliefs about medicines in elderly individuals with COPD should be implemented to optimize the level of their inhaler adherence, particularly in those with low levels of necessity beliefs or high levels of concerns beliefs.