COPDF Nebulizer Consortium
There is currently inconclusive scientific evidence that nebulizer treatments increase transmission of coronaviruses (or other infectious disease agents). We believe that further research is needed to explore this very important topic related to coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) and other airborne illnesses.
The COPD Foundation Nebulizer Consortium (CNC) aims to improve the understanding of any infection risks that may be associated with the administration of nebulized therapies and to develop solutions that ensure the safety of patients, caregivers, and health care providers.
What areas are we focusing on?
Research: Includes basic science, clinical and patient-focused projects, and publication of relevant findings.
Education: raise community awareness on nebulizer use in the COVID-19 environment and provide useful information to health care providers and those living with or caring for people with respiratory diseases.
Guidance: We will work with stakeholders to develop and promote guidelines for nebulizer use in various settings, including recommendations for health care providers.
Pillar Working Group Leads
Research
- Academic Lead: Igor Barjaktarevic, MD, PhD
- Industry Co-Lead: Karmon Johnson, PharmD
Education
- Academic Lead: TBD
- Industry Co-Lead: Lauren Cochran, PharmD
Guidance
- Academic Lead: TBD
- Patricia A Dailey, MSc, RRT
The COPDF will apply COPD360 tools including COPD360social, and COPD Patient-Powered Research Network (PPRN), PRAXIS and other community outreach methods to provide information on the use of nebulizers during the COVID-19 pandemic or other respiratory infections.
Examples of initiatives may include:
- Collaborating with researchers assessing potential production of virus containing aerosols with nebulizer use in the inpatient, outpatient, and home settings.
- Gathering data from patients, caregivers, and health care professionals through focus groups and/or surveys to understand concerns and impact, if any, on current medication use.
- Developing educational materials designed to explain possible aerosol-mediated infection risks and risk mitigation strategies for nebulizer users.
Who are the members of the Consortium?
The COPD Foundation (COPDF) led Nebulizer Consortium is comprised of industry members, many scientific and academic field experts, and one government representative.
CNC Structure
CNC COPDF members include:
- David Mannino, MD, Co-Founder and Chief Medical Director (CNC COPDF Co-chair)
- Sergio Martinez, Senior Manager of Research
Patient Advocates:
- Bonnie Truelsen, COPD Foundation Illinois State Captain
- Diane Walsh, COPD Foundation Missouri State Captain
- Acknowledging past contributions from:
Current CNC industry members include:
- Lauren Cochran, PharmD (CNC Industry Co-chair)
- Karmon Johnson, Pharm D
- Lisa Cambridge, MSHS, RRT
- Rosina Ledermueller
- Arshan Perera, PhD
- Patricia A Dailey, MSc, RRT
- Michael Gentile, MBA, RRT, FAARC, FCCM
- Jason Suggett, PhD, BPharm, MBA
- Dom Coppolo, MBA, RRT, FAARC, AE-C
- Judy Schloss
- Blake Burnette
- Candice Clay, PhD
- Pranay P. Patel
- Kim Gilchrist
Current CNC scientific/academic members include:
- Phil Kuehl, PhD, Lovelace Biomedical
- David C. Christiani, MD, MPH, MS, Harvard Medical School; Massachusetts General Hospital
- Igor Barjaktarevic, MD, PhD, University of California Los Angeles
- Jill Ohar, MD, Wake Forest University
- Jie Li, PhD, RRT-NPS, RRT-ACCS, FAARC, Rush University
- M. Brad Drummond, MD, MHS, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Donald Mahler, MD, Valley Regional Hospital, Claremont, New Hampshire; Professor Emeritus at Dartmouth College
- Rajiv Dhand, MD, FCCP, FACP, FAARC, FRSM, ATSF, University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center
- Akshay Sood, MD, MPH, University of New Mexico School of Medicine
- Arzu Ari, PhD, RRT, PT, CPFT, FAARC, FCCP, Texas State University
- Sanjay Sethi, MD, University at Buffalo, State University of New York
- Brian Carlin, MD, Sleep Medicine and Lung Health Consultants, Pittsburgh, PA
- Donald Tashkin, MD, University of California Los Angeles
- Lisa Saunders, BAS, RRT, TTS, Bronson Methodist Hospital
- Matthew Dartt, BSRT, RRT-ACCS, University of California Los Angeles
- Isaac N. Biney, MD, University of Tennessee Medical Center
Government liaison member:
- Lewis J. Radonovich, MD, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Resources for Human Development agency
Medical Professional Societies:
- Sandra Han, AM, PMP, Director, Program Development, American College of Chest Physicians
- Melissa Bustamante Patient Education Program Specialist, American College of Chest Physicians