Inhalation technique practical skills and knowledge among physicians and nurses in two pediatric emergency settings.
J Asthma
; 58(2): 190-196, 2021 02.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-31566459
ABSTRACT
Introduction:
Correct technique with a pressurized metered-dose inhaler (pMDI) equipped with a valved holding chamber (VHC) or spacer provides an important advantage for adequate control of asthma and virus-induced wheezing in young children. The aim of this study was to assess the ability and knowledge of physicians and nurses to use a pMDI with a masked VHC in two pediatric emergency units.Methods:
Studydesign:
Two-center observational study. Inhaler use technique was assessed in 50 physicians and 50 nurses using a child mannequin and a validated videotaped nine-step scoring method. The participants' knowledge was evaluated by a questionnaire.Results:
The inhalation technique was perfectly mastered by 49% of the study participants and almost perfectly mastered by another 34% (mean score 8.3 ± 0.7; range 5-9). Nurses were more likely than doctors to demonstrate the technique perfectly (66% vs. 32%, p < 0.05). The two most common errors were forgetting to shake the pMDI between two consecutive puffs (38% of the participants) and putting the patient in an incorrect position (11%). About half of the participants reported that they checked each patient's inhalation technique at every opportunity and knew how to clean the VHC. A large majority did not employ a reliable method to determine the amount of medication remaining in pMDIs without a counter.Conclusion:
Healthcare professionals' practical skills and knowledge on inhalation therapy were not completely mastered and could be improved with a mandatory training program.Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Physicians
/
Asthma
/
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
/
Metered Dose Inhalers
/
Hospitals, Pediatric
/
Nurses
Type of study:
Clinical_trials
/
Observational_studies
/
Qualitative_research
Limits:
Adult
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
/
Middle aged
Language:
En
Journal:
J Asthma
Year:
2021
Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Switzerland