thank you

What is proven by research and what is actually practiced may not be fully in sync. Many hospitals still use the bubble through humidifiers and it is still in the respiratory books, therefore we teach this to our students. I too have worked in facilities that no longer used bubble through humidifiers and offered patients saline nasal spray to be kept at the bed side to use PRN for dryness. The saline spray does not have any meds in it, so they can use as much as they wished. In addition, the concept of bubble through humidifiers (especially what is used today) is a bit backwards. We use it for higher flows (greater than 4 L), when the most efficient humidification is when the O2 is at lower flows (more time of O2 in contact with water). In addition, the disposable units of today do not have diffusers that greatly increased surface area, which also increases evaporation to increase humidification. In short, these humidifiers may have been proven to not be that efficient with humidification, but they are still used in the hospitals. Since there are not any adverse side effects or high risk of potential harm to the patient, they are still used and taught. Please also remember that patient satisfaction scores are tied to reimbursement for the hospitals. A humidifier may help to make a patient happier. Hope that helps.

@@resptherapyedresources1997 thank you

@@yujini8496 my pleasure, please let me know if you have any other questions or thoughts on potential videos

The patient's body will still warm the inhaled air the same as without a bubble humidifier. The air from the wall has 0% humidity so it is an effort to help with a dry airway.

If you get water in the tubing, then there has been a jostle or something that caused the water to splash in. Typically, if the bubbler is used appropriately, then water will not get into the tubing. If it is a small drop, most do not change the tube. The text book answer is Yes, if water gets into the tubing, change the tubing. You do not wish to shoot water drops up your patients nose. There is also a change of spreading disease to your patient if the water is contaminated. Bacteria and viruses can travel in water drops, humidification is molecular (evaporation) so bacteria and viruses cannot be transported on water molecules.

You are correct that it is "POSSIBLE". A simple mask is to be run at 6 -10 L/M. Many bubble humidifiers (especially the disposable ones) cannot take a high flow and may. The reusable ones may alarm and the disposable ones may actually pop. In my experience, I have not seen a simple mask connected to a bubble humidifier. In addition, I rarely see a simple mask being used outside of the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU). Also remember that a bubble through humidifier works by evaporation so increasing the surface area and the time in contact with the water will increase the efficacy of the humidifier. Thus as you increase the flow, as with a simple mask, you are decreasing the amount of humidity in the oxygen. Higher flow less efficient and less humidity. Hope this helps.