Do you know when the inhaler is empty?
Fullwood, I Evans, T Davies, Benjamin Ninan, T Onyon, C Clarke, J Srikanthiah, Rajesh Frost, Susan Iqbal, N Atkinson, M
Fullwood, I
Evans, T
Davies, Benjamin
Ninan, T
Onyon, C
Clarke, J
Srikanthiah, Rajesh
Frost, Susan
Iqbal, N
Atkinson, M
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Affiliation
Birmingham Women's and Children's NHS Foundation Trust; University Hospitals of Birmingham NHS Trust; Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust;
Wye Valley NHS Trust; University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust; Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust; Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust; Birmingham Women's and Children's NHS Foundation Trust; University of Birmingham
Other Contributors
Publication date
2022-05-12
Subject
Research Projects
Organizational Units
Journal Issue
Abstract
Background: Medication review is recommended at asthma appointments. The presence of propellant in the metered dose inhalers (MDIs) makes it challenging to identify when the inhaler is empty. The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in move towards more virtual monitoring of care. We aimed to evaluate if patients identify when the inhaler is empty and the method of inhaler disposal.
Methods: Prospective, multicentre quality improvement project. Data collected from children with asthma and other respiratory conditions.
Outcome measures: Children/carers attending hospital were asked how they identify an empty salbutamol inhaler; dose counters in the preventer inhalers and disposal practices were reviewed.
Results: 157 patients recruited. 125 (73.5%) patients deemed an empty inhaler as either full/partially full. 12 of 66 (18.2%) preventer inhalers with a dose counter were empty. 83% disposed their inhalers in a dustbin.
Conclusions: Patients cannot reliably identify when their MDI is empty. There is an urgent need for improving inhaler technology and providing appropriate guidance on how to identify when an MDI is empty.
Citation
Fullwood, I., Evans, T., Davies, B., Ninan, T., Onyon, C., Clarke, J., Srikanthiah, R., Frost, S., Iqbal, N., Atkinson, M., Rao, S., & Nagakumar, P. (2022). Do you know when the inhaler is empty?. Archives of disease in childhood, archdischild-2022-324027. Advance online publication.
Type
Article