Overview
Assignment: Choose Your Own Protocol — Aerosolized Antiinfectives in Action
You are a respiratory therapist tasked with administering an aerosolized antiinfective medication to a patient. Your challenge is to design and present a clear, safe, and effective protocol for delivering this drug—while navigating real-world decisions that impact both patient care and occupational safety.
In this assignment, you will create a 3–5 minute video that simulates a clinical scenario using a “choose your own protocol” format. Your video should guide viewers through a series of decision points that respiratory therapists face when preparing and administering aerosolized antiinfective agents. At each decision point, present multiple options (e.g., delivery method, PPE choice, room setup), explain the pros and cons of each, and highlight the safest and most effective path forward.
Medication Options
Choose one of the following aerosolized antiinfective agents to focus on:
- Pentamidine
- Colistin
- Cayston (Aztreonam)
- Aztreonam
- TOBI (Tobramycin)
If no formal protocol exists for your chosen drug, use the resources below to build a safe and practical guideline based on occupational safety principles and drug-specific precautions.
Required References
Use the following sources to support your decisions and explain your rationale:
- Consensus Paper on Aerosol Therapy – ISSA
- OSHA: Controlling Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Drugs
- NIH: Occupational Exposure to Aerosolized Drugs
- TIP No. 56-088-0618: Aerosolized Drugs – U.S. Army Public Health Center
- Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health (1992): Occupational Epidemics and Safety Strategies
🎬 Suggested Video Structure:
1. Opening Scene (30 seconds)
- Introduce your patient condition/scenario and the selected drug.
- Set the stage: “You’re about to administer [drug] to a patient with [condition]. What do you do first?”
2. Decision Point 1: Environment
- Options: Negative pressure room, standard room, isolation booth etc.
- Explain risks and best practice
3. Decision Point 2: Delivery Method
- Options: Mouthpiece, mask, filtered nebulizer
- Discuss patient cooperation, drug dispersion, and exposure risk
4. Decision Point 3: PPE
- Options: Surgical mask, N95, gown, gloves, goggles
- Highlight OSHA and infection control recommendations
5. Decision Point 4: Post-Treatment Protocol
- Options: Room ventilation time, surface cleaning, filter disposal
- Emphasize occupational safety and environmental controls
6. Real-World Application
- Share a personal or hypothetical case where you administered the drug
- Reflect on what you learned and how the guidelines shaped your decisions
7. Closing Message (30 seconds)
- Recap the safest path through the protocol
- Encourage viewers to think critically and consult guidelines when protocols are unclear
✅ Submission Checklist
- [ ] Video is 3–5 minutes long
- [ ] Focuses on one antiinfective agent
- [ ] Includes at least 3 decision points with options and rationale
- [ ] References at least two of the required sources
- [ ] Clearly communicates safe and effective practices
- [ ] Engaging and informative presentation style