Effectiveness of Pharmacologic Airway Clearance Therapies in Hospitalized Patients
Recommendations
Hospitalized Adult and Pediatric Patients Without Cystic Fibrosis
- Recombinant human dornase alfa should not be used in adults and children with non-CF bronchiectasis.
- Routine use of bronchodilators to aid in secretion clearance is not recommended.
- Routine use of aerosolized N-acetylcysteine to improve airway clearance is not recommended.
Adult and Pediatric Patients With Neuromuscular Disease, Respiratory Muscle Weakness, or Impaired Cough
Postoperative Adult and Pediatric Patients
- Mucolytics cannot be recommended for use in the treatment of atelectasis due to insufficient evidence.
- Routine administration of bronchodilators to postoperative patients is not recommended.
Recommendation Grading
Overview
Title
Effectiveness of Pharmacologic Airway Clearance Therapies in Hospitalized Patients
Authoring Organization
American Association for Respiratory Care
Publication Month/Year
December 1, 2015
Last Updated Month/Year
April 13, 2023
Supplemental Implementation Tools
Document Type
Guideline
External Publication Status
Published
Country of Publication
US
Document Objectives
The purpose of this guideline is to provide guidance to clinicians in the identification, selection, and delivery of medication for airway clearance. This guideline does not include the use of medication for patients with cystic fibrosis, as this has been addressed.
Target Patient Population
Patients require airway clearance therapy
Inclusion Criteria
Female, Male, Adolescent, Adult, Child, Older adult
Health Care Settings
Emergency care, Hospital
Intended Users
Nurse, nurse practitioner, physician, physician assistant
Scope
Assessment and screening, Management, Treatment
Diseases/Conditions (MeSH)
D006493 - Heparin, D058109 - Airway Management, D020545 - Respiratory Mucosa
Keywords
airway restriction, difficult airway, airway management, mucolytics
Source Citation
Respir Care 2015;60(7):1071–1077