Microbiologic Contamination of Home Non Invasive Ventilators

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Home non-invasive ventilators are daily used by patients with chronic respiratory failure. There are frequently used with warming and humidifying systems. These systems need to be cared for and frequently washed by the patient. The aim of this study is to evaluate if the humidifying system of home ventilators are colonized by microbiological germs.

Detailed Description
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The use of non-invasive ventilators is common for treating respiratory failure. Their care relies on the patients and their carers. No study has assessed the efficacy of such care with respect to the number of microbiological specimens that remain in the humidifier.

Official Title
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Microbiologic Contamination of Home Non Invasive Ventilators

Conditions
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Chronic Respiratory Failure, COPD, Obesity Hypoventilation Syndrome

Intervention / Treatment
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* Diagnostic Test: Microbiological sampling


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Patient established on home non invasive ventilation for more than 6 months With a compliance >4hours/day Who brought their ventilator for the assessment Diagnosed with COPD or Obesity hypoventilation syndrome (OHS) Who consent With an age > 18 years Exclusion Criteria: Age under 18 Ongoing exacerbation Not able to consent Pregnant or breastfeeding

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Patients with COPD<br>Patients established on home non-invasive ventilation for COPD admitted for respiratory review will have a microbiological sampling of the ventilator humidifier | Diagnostic Test: Microbiological sampling<br>* An microbiological sampling of the ventilator humidifier will be performed.<br>|
| Patients with OHS<br>Patients established on home non-invasive ventilation for obesity hypoventilation syndrome admitted for respiratory review will have a microbiological sampling of the ventilator humidifier | Diagnostic Test: Microbiological sampling<br>* An microbiological sampling of the ventilator humidifier will be performed.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Prevalence of microbial contamination of non invasive ventilators humidifier |  | 7 days | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Microbiological ecology in the study population | The microbiological ecology of the ventilator humidifier will be describes (percentage of each pathogen) | 7 days | 
| Comparison between COPD and Obesity hypoventilation syndrome patients microbial ecology | We will compare the microbiological ecology of patients in the COPD and in the Obesity hypoventilation group (percentage of each pathogen in each group) | 7 days | 
| Compliance to recommendations regarding the maintenance of the humidifier | Compliance to recommendations will be assessed by a questionnaire containing 7 items regarding how the humidifier is maintained by the patient : Who is maintaining the ventilator (descriptive) At which frequency are you changing the water (Everyday (adequate), every other-day (almost adequate), every week (inadequate), more than weekly (inadequate) What type of water are you using (descriptive) At which frequency are you cleaning the mask (Everyday (adequate), every other-day (almost adequate), every week (inadequate), more than weekly (inadequate) At which frequency are you cleaning the humidifier (Everyday (adequate), every other-day (almost adequate), every week (inadequate), more than weekly (inadequate) How are you cleaning the humidifier? Water (inadequate), soap (adequate), dishawashing liquid (inadequate) | 7 days | 
| Correlation between compliance to maintenance recommendations and contamination rate |  | 7 days | 
| Comparison of exacerbation frequency in COPD patients and isolation of respiratory pathogens in the humidifier |  | 12 months |