Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 11, 2025

Sublingual Immunotherapy as an Alternative to Induce Protection Against Acute Respiratory Infections
Published on: August 30, 2014
Mitigating Infection Risk in Upper Airway Stimulation
Naushin S Ali1, Thomas H Fitzpatrick Iv2, Albina S Islam2
1School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA.
Objective:
This study aims to define the incidence of infection with upper airway stimulation (UAS) devices requiring explantation in a single academic center and identify factors that may influence the risk of infection.
Methods:
A database of patients who underwent UAS at a single tertiary referral academic center from 2017 to 2021 was retrospectively reviewed to identify patients who developed surgical site infections, with and without subsequent explantation. Additional data for cases complicated by infection was extracted from the electronic medical record (EMR) and included: demographic information, medical history, complications and management, and overall outcomes. In March 2021, 2 modifications to infection control protocols were implemented: double skin preparation with Betadine and chlorhexidine, and MRSA decolonization. Statistical analysis was performed to compare infectious risk before and after these protocol changes.
Results:
In the study period, 215 patients underwent UAS in the specified time period and 3 cases (1.4%) of postoperative infections were identified, all of which required explantation. The infection rate did not significantly change after modifications to the surgical prep protocol (P = .52).
Conclusions:
While no significant difference in infection risk was noted after modifying infection control protocols, additional longer-term study is warranted to elucidate effective infection reduction strategies.
Related Concept Videos
Suctioning the Nasopharyngeal Airway
Equipment Required
Transmission-based Precautions II: Airborne and Protective Environment
Airborne precautions:
Use airborne precautions when treating patients known or suspected to have diseases that spread through the air—for example, tuberculosis or measles. These organisms are present in smaller droplets expelled by an infected person and...
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation II: ACLS Airway Management
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation V: Advanced Airway Management Techniques
Suctioning the Oropharyngeal Airway
After assembling the equipment, the nurse should practice hand hygiene and don appropriate PPE according to infection control guidelines to avoid the...
Upper Respiratory Drugs: Antitussives, Expectorants, and Mucolytics
Antitussives include codeine, dextromethorphan (Robitussin), and benzonatate (Tessalon). Codeine and dextromethorphan exert their effects centrally by suppressing the cough reflex center in the medulla. Benzonatate operates peripherally within the respiratory tract by...

