The greatest article about Albuterol ever written

Way before I started my fictitious quest for bronchodilator reform I met a really cool RT who had some brilliant RT wisdoms to share with me and my fellow RTs here at the RT Cave.

This was quite a few years ago, probably about the time I was realizing that Albuterol breathing treatments weren't really ordered for what they were indicated for.

Like most RTs, I loved my job, but often became frustrated that I had to wake someone up at 2:00 in the morning for a treatment he didn't need. Yet instead of venting our frustration, we develop that infamous RT Humor.

We thought it was cool the brilliant wisdoms this fellow RT had to share, particularly regarding the "wonder drug" Albuterol.

Perhaps you've read this before. If not, it's a great read. Click here to read the infamous: "Albuterol: Not Just for Bronchospasm Anymore."

the walkin coughin

The other night at Shoreline Medical, I again got called to ER to give a nebulizer tx to a "diff breather". When I arrived I found a sweet little old lady with what sounded like a good case of bronchitis. While talking to her I discovered that she had been in the ER two nights previous and was discharged with home nebs, antibiotics, and just in case, a jolt codiene for her cough. The patient's caregiver told me that she must not have done "it" right as the "sweet little thing" has not gotten any better. " The discharge instructions directed me to give the nebs if she coughed. Well, she didn't cough so I didn't give her any nebs and now she is worse and coughing real bad! "
Now I ask you, when did we start sending every Tom, Dick and Mary home from the ER with home nebs to treat their cough? Do bronchodilators treat a cough? Are the doctors reading something I've missed? The sweet little old lady had coarse rhonchi, no wheezes, and no crackles. And, if you give someone codiene for their cough and then tell the caregiver to give nebs for the cough, just when exactly do you think the patient is going to get around to coughing I ask you? And, where the H--- is the indication for the patient to have nebs at all, let alone home nebs?