Estimating Tiotropium Wasted Doses After Adding Revefenacin to an Inpatient Formulary: A Single-Center Cross-Sectional Study.

Introduction: Revefenacin is a once-daily nebulized long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA). Revefenacin is supplied as single-use nebulized vials, which may be preferable and less costly for hospital and health-system pharmacies to dispense versus multidose tiotropium inhalers. Estimates of LAMA multidose inhaler wasted doses remains unknown. Methods: This was a single-center descriptive cross-sectional study conducted between January 1 2021 and December 31 2021. Adult patients 18 years and older admitted to a 500-bed academic medical center in the southern United States and were ordered multidose tiotropium packages or single-use revefenacin vials during the study period were included. Results: Among 602 inpatients, there were 705 LAMA orders: 541 tiotropium (76.7%) and 164 revefenacin (23.3%). Four hundred ninety-five tiotropium orders (91.5%) wasted between 20% and 90% of multidose packages. Approximately $24,000 tiotropium doses were wasted versus single-use revefenacin vials. Conclusion: Multidose inhalers of tiotropium dispensed to hospitalized patients contributed to wasted doses compared to nebulized single-use revefenacin vials. Opportunities exist to minimize wasted doses of multidose long-acting inhalers dispensed to hospitalized patients.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients' experience using Trelegy as compared with other inhalers.

Introduction: Trelegy is a combination inhaler that is often reported to offer benefits over multiple inhalers. We compared Trelegy use with multiple inhalers for adherence, symptoms, medication beliefs, and medication attitudes. Methods: This cross-sectional survey of 58 patients compared the patient's experience with Trelegy (n = 18) versus any other inhaler (n = 40). Outcome variables consisted of Test of the Adherence to Inhalers scale, the Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease Assessment Test (CAT) scale, attitude items from the St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire, the Beliefs about Medicines Questionnaire (BMQ)-necessity subscale, and the BMQ-concerns subscale. Results: We found that patients using Trelegy had greater CAT symptoms (M = 19.8, SD = 7.75) in comparison with the any other inhaler group (M = 15.7, SD = 11.10; P = 0.04). We did not find any difference between the groups for adherence or any of the medication attitudes or beliefs. CAT score was positively correlated with the number of months patients were on their current inhaler (r s = 0.29, P < 0.05) and their use of a rescue inhaler (r s = 0.42, P < 0.01). Patients with more concern about their medications were negatively correlated with the use of a rescue inhaler (r s = -0.31, P < 0.05). Discussion: We found that patients using Trelegy had greater symptoms in comparison with the any other inhaler group, but did not differ for adherence, medication attitudes, or medication beliefs. Conclusion: We recommend that clinicians should regularly re-evaluate their Trelegy recommendations, as Trelegy use may not be the best therapy for certain patients. Also, a study with a larger sample size can be beneficial to confirm these findings.

Nebulization versus standard application for topical anaesthesia during flexible bronchoscopy under moderate sedation - a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Endobronchial administration of lidocaine is commonly used for cough suppression during diagnostic bronchoscopy. Recently, nebulization of lidocaine during bronchoscopies under deep sedation with fiberoptic intubation using a distinct spray catheter has been shown to have several advantages over conventional lidocaine administration via syringe. However, there are no data about this approach in bronchoscopies performed under moderate sedation. Therefore, this study compared the tolerability and safety of nebulized lidocaine with conventional lidocaine administration via syringe in patients undergoing bronchoscopy with moderate sedation. METHODS: Patients requiring diagnostic bronchoscopy were randomly assigned to receive topical lidocaine either via syringe or via nebulizer. Endpoints were consumption of lidocaine and sedative drugs, as well as patient tolerance and safety. RESULTS: Sixty patients were included in the study (n = 30 in each group). Patients required lower doses of endobronchial lidocaine when given via nebulizer versus syringe (164.7 ± 20.8 mg vs. 250.4 ± 42.38 mg; p < 0.0001) whereas no differences in the dosage of sedative drugs were observed between the two groups (all p > 0.05). Patients in the nebulizer group had higher mean oxygen saturation (96.19 ± 2.45% vs. 94.21 ± 3.02%; p = 0.0072) and a lower complication rate (0.3 ± 0.79 vs. 1.17 ± 1.62 per procedure; p = 0.0121) compared with those in the syringe group. CONCLUSIONS: Endobronchial lidocaine administration via nebulizer was well-tolerated during bronchoscopies under moderate sedation and was associated with reduced lidocaine consumption, a lower complication rate and better oxygenation compared with lidocaine administration via syringe. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study was registered with clinicaltrials.gov ( NCT02262442 ; 13th October 2014).

Delivery of sevoflurane using a neonatal ventilator.

BACKGROUND: Most anesthetic ventilators are designed to cope with a wide range of patient sizes and may lack precision at the lowest end of the minute volume scale. Neonatal intensive care ventilators on the other hand are designed specifically for this patient group, but are not able to deliver volatile anesthesia. AIMS: We aimed to adapt the neonatal ventilator currently in use in our institution to deliver sevoflurane by incorporating a vaporizer and a scavenging system. METHODS: We used a Diamedica draw-over vaporizer incorporated into the ventilator circuit and a custom designed open interface scavenging system. A number of safety measures are described to ensure that this equipment is correctly inserted into the circuit. RESULTS: Bench testing revealed that the vaporizer output is linear and stable within the circuit flow range 4-8 L/min in all modes except high frequency oscillation where concentrations are not predictable. The scavenging system was found to be effective and did not affect volumes, pressures or waveforms when ventilating a test lung over a wide range of flows and pressures. This remained the case over the full range of scavenger flow adjustment. CONCLUSION: The addition of a Diamedica vaporizer to a Fabian neonatal ventilator was shown in bench testing to provide stable, linear vapor concentrations without compromise of ventilator function. The system should not be used in high frequency oscillation mode because concentrations will exceed those expected and will not maintain a linear relationship with the vaporizer setting.

Methoxyflurane for Procedural Analgesia at 4470 m Altitude.

Methoxyflurane is a volatile, fluorinated anesthetic agent with analgesic properties. Although no longer used as an anesthetic due to concerns regarding renal toxicity in high doses, it has enjoyed a resurgence as an inhaled analgesic in prehospital care and in the emergency department. The agent is nonflammable and leads to rapid, titratable analgesia without intravenous access. The Penthrox inhaler device is light, robust, and straightforward to administer. Consequently, it has been proposed as an ideal analgesic for the remote high altitude setting. We report its use for procedural analgesia during suprapubic aspiration for acute urinary retention at a remote rescue post at night, in cold winter conditions, at 4470 m altitude in Machermo, Nepal. We found that methoxyflurane provided rapid, effective analgesia for our patient's visceral and procedural pain. The inhaler was easy to administer, and the patient remained responsive to voice, with satisfactory oxygen saturation and respiratory rate throughout. We also briefly review the administration, dosing, efficacy, and safety of methoxyflurane and its role in remote medical care.

Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS): What Nurses Need to Know.

BACKGROUND: Efforts to decrease adverse effects of tobacco use are affected by emergence of new nicotine delivery products. Advertising, product promotion, and social media promote use of these products, yet a lack of evidence regarding safety leaves nurses unprepared to counsel patients. OBJECTIVES: To critically evaluate current research, reviews of literature, expert opinion, and stakeholder policy proposals on use and safety of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS). DESIGN: A targeted examination of literature generated by key stakeholders and subject matter experts was conducted using key words, modified by risk factors, and limited to the past 8 years. RESULTS: Current knowledge gaps in research literature and practice implications of the literature are discussed. CONCLUSIONS: The safety of ENDS is questionable and unclear. There are clear health risks of nicotine exposure to developing brains. Potential health risks of ENDS secondhand emissions exposure exist. Using ENDS to facilitate total tobacco cessation is not proven.

Indicators for childhood asthma in Spain, using the Rand method.

OBJECTIVE: To develop quality indicators to measure asthma care in primary health care. METHOD: A modified RAND was used, which included the systematic review of the literature in Embase, Cochrane and Pubmed Quality Agencies and Database. The work group identified the indicators, translated them into Spanish and resolved any duplicates. Each indicator is composed of several dimensions (access to care, clinical effectiveness, patient-centred quality and patient safety). A multidisciplinary panel of 98 professionals from all over Spain were invited to score each indicator using a Likert scale. After calculating the average and median of each indicator, this information was sent to those who responded (n=38) for a second round and further scoring. The agreement percentage for the group was obtained for each indicator. RESULTS: Of the 105 asthma indicators reviewed, we selected 46 that were presented to the panel of experts. In both Delphi phases, 37.1% of the members of the initial panel of experts responded. Of these, 26 were primary care paediatricians, six were pulmonologists, three were nurses, two were pharmacists and one was an allergist. For 32 indicators, agreement exceeded 70% and seven of those scored highest for the various care aspects for asthmatic children. CONCLUSION: Quality indicators are presented for the follow-up of asthma and their implementation in primary care, which have undergone a strict selection and agreement process by a multidisciplinary work group.

Pulmonologist Education of the Teach-to-Goal Inhaler Technique for Those With Asthma and COPD.

BACKGROUND: Inhaler education for patients with asthma and patients with COPD is typically provided by non-pulmonologists. We studied inhaler education by pulmonologists to determine changes in clinical outcomes and inhaler use. METHODS: This was a retrospective study of 296 subjects diagnosed with asthma, COPD, or both that evaluated use of inhaler technique education and its impact on (1) inhaler/dosage change consisting of dosage change in the same class of inhaler and/or change in number of inhalers, (2) forced expiratory volume in one second/forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC%), (3) disease symptom control, (4) out-patient visits, (5) urgent care visits (6) emergency department visits, and (7) hospital admissions. One group received inhaler technique education by a pulmonologist while the other group did not. RESULTS: The pulmonologist inhaler technique-educated group had significantly decreased relative risk for inhaler/dosage increase (relative risk 0.57 [95% CI 0.34-0.96], P = .03) and significantly increased odds for symptom control (odds ratio 2.15 [95% CI 1.24-3.74], P = .01) at 1-y follow-up as compared to the no education group. No differences occurred for FEV1/FVC%, out-patient visits, urgent care visits, emergency department visits, and hospital admissions. CONCLUSIONS: Pulmonologist education of inhaler technique for patients with asthma and patients with COPD was associated with decreased relative risk for inhaler/dosage increase and increased odds for symptom control. We recommend pulmonologists provide education of inhaler technique to patients with asthma and patients with COPD and not rely on non-pulmonologist education alone. Prospective research is needed to confirm the importance of proper inhaler techniques.

External Jet Nebulization and Measured Ventilator Performance.

BACKGROUND: During invasive ventilation, external flow jet nebulization results in increases in displayed exhaled tidal volumes (VT). We hypothesized that the magnitude of the increase is inaccurate. An ASL 5000 simulator measured ventilatory parameters over a wide range of adult settings: actual VT, peak inspiratory pressure (PIP), and time to minimum pressure. METHODS: Ventilators with internal and external flow sensors were tested by using a variety of volume and pressure control modes (the target VT was 420 mL). Patient conditions (normal, COPD, ARDS) defined on the ASL 5000 were assessed at baseline and with 3.5 or 8 L/min of added external flow. Patient-triggering was assessed by reducing muscle effort to the level that resulted in backup ventilation and by changing ventilator sensitivity to the point of auto-triggering. RESULTS: Results are reported as percentage change from baseline after addition of 3.5 or 8 L/min external flow. For ventilators with internal flow sensors, changes in displayed exhaled VT ranged from 10% to 118%, however, when using volume control, actual increases in actual VT and PIP were only 4%-21% (P = .063, .031) and 6%-24% (P = .25, .031), respectively. Changes in actual VT correlated closely with changes in PIP (P < .001; R2 = 0.68). For pressure control, actual VT decreased by 3%-5% (P = .031) and 4%-9% (P = .031) with 3.5 and 8 L/min respectively, PIP was unchanged. With external flow sensors at the distal Y-piece junction, volume and pressure changes were statistically insignificant. The time to minimum pressure increased at most by 8% (P = .02) across all modes and ventilators. The effects on muscle pressure were minimal (∼1 cm H2O), and ventilator sensitivity effects were nearly undetectable. CONCLUSIONS: External flow jet nebulization resulted in much smaller changes in volume than indicated by the ventilator display. Statistically significant effects were confined primarily to machines with internal flow sensors. Differences approached the manufacturer-reported variation in ventilator baseline performance. During nebulizer therapy, effects on VT can be estimated at the bedside by monitoring PIP.

Validation of an Inhaled Therapy Beliefs Questionnaire in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Background: To carry out a validation questionnaire that assesses beliefs about inhaled treatments in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), as knowing patients' beliefs could help to improve medication adherence and health outcomes. Methods: We evaluated data from 260 COPD patients from electronic medical record databases from five primary healthcare centers, in a descriptive, cross-sectional study with a sample size calculated for a 10-item questionnaire, with an estimated Cronbach's alpha of 0.70 and a 95% confidence level. Study participants were selected via systematic random sampling. Variables: Ten-item Inhaled Therapy Beliefs Questionnaire, CCTI-Questionnaire v.2.0, time for completion, age, sex, educational level, spirometry severity (GOLD criteria), exacerbations (previous year), characteristics of inhaled treatment, and smoking habit. A two-year follow-up in a subsample of 77 patients from one health center was utilized. The Morisky-Green test, pharmacy dispensing data, test-retest (kappa coefficient), and an exploratory analysis of the adherence-belief relationship (ji-squared) were measured. Results: The 10-item questionnaire showed good viability (3 min completion time) when performed face-to-face or telephonically; its psychometric properties were acceptable, with an internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha) score of 0.613. Three factors explained 47.58% of the total variance (p < 0.0001): use (factor 1), effects (factor 2), and objectives (factor 3) of inhalers. The two-year follow-up ultimately considered 58 out of the 77 patients (10 deceased, 4 unlocated, 2 mistakes, 2 no inhaled treatment, and 1 withdrawal). Non-adherence was 48.3% in terms of the Morisky-Green test; 31% in terms of pharmacy dispensing data; and 40.4% considering both methods. There was low test-retest reliability, indicated by items 4, 8, and 9 of the CCTI-Questionnaire (Kappa = 0.4, 0.26, and 0.34; p-value < 0.0001, 0.008, and 0.001, respectively). There was mild correlation between beliefs and adherence. Conclusions: The ten-item CCTI-Questionnaire v.2.0 demonstrated acceptable psychometric properties regarding feasibility, reliability, and content validity.

Influence of Mechanical Ventilation Modes on the Efficacy of Nebulized Bronchodilators in the Treatment of Intubated Adult Patients with Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

BACKGROUND: Little has been reported in terms of clinical outcomes to confirm the benefits of nebulized bronchodilators during mechanical ventilation (MV). Electrical Impedance Tomography (EIT) could be a valuable method to elucidate this gap. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the impact of nebulized bronchodilators during invasive MV with EIT by comparing three ventilation modes on the overall and regional lung ventilation and aeration in critically ill patients with obstructive pulmonary disease. METHOD: A blind clinical trial in which eligible patients underwent nebulization with salbutamol sulfate (5 mg/1 mL) and ipratropium bromide (0.5 mg/2 mL) in the ventilation mode they were receiving. EIT evaluation was performed before and after the intervention. A joint and stratified analysis into ventilation mode groups was performed, with p < 0.05. RESULTS: Five of nineteen procedures occurred in controlled MV mode, seven in assisted mode and seven in spontaneous mode. In the intra-group analysis, the nebulization increased total ventilation in controlled (p = 0.04 and ⅆ = 2) and spontaneous (p = 0.01 and ⅆ = 1.5) MV modes. There was an increase in the dependent pulmonary region in assisted mode (p = 0.01 and ⅆ = 0.3) and in spontaneous mode (p = 0.02 and ⅆ = 1.6). There was no difference in the intergroup analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Nebulized bronchodilators reduce the aeration of non-dependent pulmonary regions and increase overall lung ventilation but there was no difference between the ventilation modes. As a limitation, it is important to note that the muscular effort in PSV and A/C PCV modes influences the impedance variation, and consequently the aeration and ventilation values. Thus, future studies are needed to evaluate this effort as well as the time on ventilator, time in UCI and other variables.

Multidrug Aerosol Delivery During Mechanical Ventilation.

Background: In the critically ill, pulmonary vasodilators are often provided off label to intubated patients using continuous nebulization. If additional aerosol therapies such as bronchodilators or antibiotics are needed, vasodilator therapy may be interrupted. This study assesses aerosol systems designed for simultaneous delivery of two aerosols using continuous nebulization and bolus injection without interruption or circuit disconnection. Methods: One i-AIRE dual-port breath-enhanced jet nebulizer (BEJN) or two Aerogen® Solo vibrating mesh nebulizers (VMNs) were installed on the dry side of the humidifier. VMN were stacked; one for infusion and the second for bolus drug delivery. The BEJN was powered by air at 3.5 L/min, 50 psig. Radiolabeled saline was infused at 5 and 10 mL/h with radiolabeled 3 and 6 mL bolus injections at 30 and 120 minutes, respectively. Two adult breathing patterns (duty cycle 0.13 and 0.34) were tested with an infusion time of 4 hours. Inhaled mass (IM) expressed as % of initial syringe activity (IM%/min) was monitored in real time with a ratemeter. All delivered radioaerosol was collected on a filter at the airway opening. Transients in aerosol delivery were measured by calibrated ratemeter. Results: IM%/h during continuous infusion was linear and predictable, mean ± standard deviation (SD): 2.12 ± 1.45%/h, 2.47 ± 0.863%/h for BEJN and VMN, respectively. BEJN functioned without incident. VMN continuous aerosol delivery stopped spontaneously in 3 of 8 runs (38%); bolus delivery stopped spontaneously in 3 of 16 runs (19%). Tapping restarted VMN function during continuous and bolus delivery runs. Bolus delivery IM% (mean ± SD): 20.90% ± 7.01%, 30.40% ± 11.10% for BEJN and VMN, respectively. Conclusion: Simultaneous continuous and bolus nebulization without circuit disconnection is possible for both jet and mesh technology. Monitoring of VMN devices may be necessary in case of spontaneous interruption of nebulization.

Influence of Aerosol Mask Design on Fugitive Aerosol Concentrations During Nebulization.

BACKGROUND: Secondhand exposure to fugitive aerosols may cause airway diseases in health providers. We hypothesized that redesigning aerosol masks to be closed-featured would reduce the fugitive aerosol concentrations during nebulization. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of a mask designed for a jet nebulizer on the concentration of fugitive aerosols and delivered doses. METHODS: An adult intubation manikin was attached to a lung simulator to mimic normal and distressed adult breathing patterns. The jet nebulizer delivered salbutamol as an aerosol tracer. The nebulizer was attached to 3 aerosol face masks: an aerosol mask, a modified non-rebreathing mask (NRM, with no vent holes), and an AerosoLess mask. An aerosol particle sizer measured aerosol concentrations at parallel distances of 0.8 m and 2.2 m and a frontal distance of 1.8 m from the manikin. The drug dose delivered distal to the manikin's airway was collected, eluted, and analyzed using a spectrophotometer at a 276 nm wavelength. RESULTS: With a normal breathing pattern, the trends of aerosol concentrations were higher with an NRM followed by an aerosol mask and AerosoLess mask (P < .001) at 0.8 m; however, the concentrations were higher with an aerosol mask followed by NRM and AerosoLess mask at 1.8 m (P < .001) and 2.2 m (P < .001). With a distressed breathing pattern, the aerosol concentrations were higher with an aerosol mask followed by an NRM and AerosoLess mask at 0.8 m, 1.8 m (P < .001), and 2.2 m (P = .005). The delivered drug dose was significantly higher with AerosoLess mask with a normal breathing pattern and with an aerosol mask with a distressed breathing pattern. CONCLUSIONS: Mask design influences fugitive aerosol concentrations in the environment, and a filtered mask reduces the concentration of aerosols at 3 different distances and with 2 breathing patterns.

Inhaler technique in a pediatric emergency department: Impact of an education intervention among healthcare professionals.

BACKGROUND: Inhaler technique (IT) knowledge among healthcare providers is poor. The aim was to improve Pediatric Emergency Department (PED) healthcare providers' IT technique by carrying out an education intervention and sustain it for 6 months. METHODS: Open-label, quasi-experimental, prospective, and unicentric study. Healthcare professionals working at the PED were enrolled. The study was developed in three phases: baseline evaluation and education intervention (P1) and reevaluation 1 month (P2) and 6 months (P3) after the education intervention. Participants fulfilled an eight-question theoretical test. Practical skills were evaluated by demonstrating IT in all three phases. The education intervention consisted in a verbal explanation of IT followed by a demonstration of IT with metered-dose inhaler using a mannequin. RESULTS: A total of 84 healthcare providers (medical residents, nurses, and nursing assistants) were involved. In the theoretical questionnaire, the mean score at baseline was 4.4/8 (SD 1.7) improving to 6.3/8 (SD 1.2) in P2 and 6.47/8 (SD 1.1) in P3. In the IT evaluation for children <7 years old, the score improved from 5.7/7 (SD 1.3) to 6.5/7 in P2 and 6.7/7 in P3 (p < 0.001). For children >7 years old, the mean score of IT at baseline was 3.1/10 (SD 4), which improved to 7.4/10 (SD 3) and 8.2/10 in P2 and P3, respectively (p < 0.001). Only professional category influenced results at baseline. CONCLUSION: Healthcare providers' theoretical knowledge and practical skills on IT are low. The education intervention performed is a useful strategy to ameliorate IT among healthcare providers.

Electronic Nicotine Delivery System: End to Smoking or Just a New Fancy Cigarette.

Smoking and tobacco chewing are the predominant causes of oral cancer. Tobacco is the second-most widely consumed psychoactive substance. There are numerous ways to quit smoking, of which one is electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes). E-cigarette use is a brand-new, global trend. E-cigarette is a battery-operated device that heats a liquid to create a vapor that the consumer inhales. Several countries have acknowledged that the first step toward electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS) management is a precise classification of ENDS within the limits of current legislation. Countries have currently categorized ENDS into four generations. People's perceptions about tobacco products have altered recently as a consequence of the advertising of ENDS. The likelihood of starting to smoke cigarettes was four times higher in adolescents who used ENDS, and the probability of quitting was reduced and often prolonged in those who used ENDS. In addition, ENDS normalizes smoking-like actions including inhaling in and exhaling smoke. Adverse marketing via geographic locations and social media platforms, as well as nicotine's irreversible effects on growing adolescent and young adult brains that predispose individuals to addicted behaviors, may be responsible for their rising appeal among teenagers. Despite this, ENDS use has risen among young individuals who have never smoked and undoubtedly face more health risks than those who do not use ENDS. The oral cavity is the first to encounter ENDS in individuals and where it initially affects the human system. As a known contributor to cardiovascular diseases, neurological conditions, and cancers, nicotine seems to be a serious cause for concern. This review provides a concise summary of the research on the components, mode of action, applications, and effects of e-cigarettes on oral as well as systemic systems.

Aerosol therapy during mechanical ventilation in intensive care units: A questionnaire-based survey of 2203 ICU medical staff in China.

Background: To describe the current status of aerosol therapy during mechanical ventilation (MV) and the practice, knowledge, and beliefs about aerosol therapy in physicians working in the intensive care unit (ICU) in China. Methods: A physician self-administered questionnaire-based cross-sectional survey was carried out from January 2019 to July 2019. An electronic questionnaire was designed, and physicians who worked regularly in ICUs across several hospitals were contacted through WeChat. Answers to all questions and the general characteristics of physicians who answered the questionnaire were collected and analyzed. Results: A total of 2203 medical staff who regularly worked in the ICUs completed this questionnaire (9.0% missing data); 87.7% of the participants were doctors. Most respondents claimed that they often administered aerosolization therapy. Ultrasonic atomizer (50.7%) and jet nebulizer (48.6%) were the most commonly used atomization devices. Bronchodilators (65.8%) and steroids (66.3%) were the most frequently aerosolized drugs during MV. During nebulization, ventilator settings were never changed by 32.7% of respondents. Only 49.1% of respondents knew the appropriate place for a nebulizer. Further, 62.7% of respondents using heated humidifiers reported turning them off during nebulization. Specific knowledge about droplet size and nebulization yield was poor. Respondents from tertiary hospitals and those with higher technical title or work experience tended to have better accuracy than those from primary hospitals or with lower technical titles (P < 0.050). Conclusions: Aerosol therapy was commonly used during MV, and the most frequent drugs were bronchodilators and steroids. Scientific knowledge about the optimal implementation of aerosol therapy during MV seemed deficient.

Are vaporizers a lower-risk alternative to smoking cannabis?

Cannabis use is associated with various adverse physical and mental health outcomes as well as increased risk of motor vehicle collision. Many organizations and the "Lower-Risk Cannabis Use Guidelines" have recommended to use cannabis vaporizers instead of smoking to reduce the associated health risk. This commentary draws attention to the present evidence regarding harm reduction potential of cannabis vaping. Cannabis vaporizer use can reduce the emission of carbon monoxide, chronic respiratory symptoms, and exposure to several toxins while producing similar subjective effects and blood THC concentration compared with smoking cannabis, holding potential for harm reduction among habitual cannabis smokers. However, new cannabis users, regardless of method of administration of cannabis, may experience intense subjective effects and cognitive impairment with increased susceptibility to dependence. Hence, policy makers should consider limiting access to cannabis among young people and adopting strategies to reduce impaired driving under influence of cannabis. Future research should focus on impact of switching from cannabis smoking to dried herb vaping using cannabis vaporizers among chronic cannabis smokers, and long-term outcomes of medical cannabis vaping, and further explore association of vaping-associated lung injury with THC-containing e-liquids.

RéSUMé: L'usage du cannabis est associé à une panoplie de résultats de santé physique et mentale indésirables et à un risque accru de collision entre véhicules automobiles. De nombreux organismes, ainsi que les « Recommandations canadiennes pour l'usage du cannabis à moindre risque ¼, recommandent d'utiliser un vaporisateur au lieu de fumer le cannabis afin d'en réduire les risques pour la santé. Notre commentaire attire l'attention sur les preuves actuelles concernant le potentiel de réduction des méfaits du vapotage du cannabis. L'utilisation d'un vaporisateur de cannabis peut réduire l'émission de monoxyde de carbone, les symptômes respiratoires chroniques et l'exposition à plusieurs toxines tout en produisant des effets subjectifs et une concentration de THC dans le sang semblables à ceux du cannabis fumé, ce qui pourrait réduire les méfaits chez les fumeurs réguliers de cannabis. Par contre, les nouveaux consommateurs de cannabis, peu importe la méthode d'administration du cannabis choisie, peuvent éprouver des effets subjectifs intenses et une détérioration cognitive, ainsi qu'une susceptibilité accrue à la dépendance. Les responsables des politiques devraient donc songer à limiter l'accès des jeunes au cannabis et adopter des stratégies pour réduire la conduite avec facultés affaiblies par cette drogue. Des études futures devraient porter sur les conséquences, pour les fumeurs réguliers de cannabis, de vapoter l'herbe séchée à l'aide d'un vaporisateur au lieu de fumer le cannabis, et sur les effets à long terme du vapotage du cannabis médical, et explorer plus avant l'association entre les lésions pulmonaires associées au vapotage et les liquides à vapoter contenant du THC.

The association between vaping and health behaviors among undergraduate college students in the United States.

Objective: To examine the association between vaping and health behaviors (physical activity, fruit and vegetable consumption, sleep, cigarette use, alcohol consumption) and mental health among college students. Methods: Socio-demographic characteristics, vaping, health behaviors, perceived stress, and depressive symptoms of undergraduates enrolled at a large university located in the Northeast of the United States were assessed via an online survey. Results: Of all participants (n = 1775), less than a fifth (n = 314, 17.7%) reported any vaping in the past month. More men reported vaping than women (23.2% vs. 14.5%). Those who vaped reported fewer nights of restful sleep and greater alcohol consumption. Those who smoked and binge drank were more likely to report vaping. Perceived stress was greater among women who vaped, and depressive symptoms were greater among those who vaped regardless of gender. Conclusions: Vaping was associated with smoking, alcohol consumption, and poorer mental health among young adults.

Efficacy of an educational intervention in the management of an inhalation device among nursing professionals of an emergency department.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the most frequent errors of the inhalation technique (main topic for the pharmacological treatment of exacerbations of asthma and/or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) in the nursing staff of an emergency department, and to evaluate the efficacy of an educational intervention. METHODS: Prospective quasi-experimental study, carried out in a hospital in Argentina during 2019. For the evaluation of the nursing staff, the steps of the Separ-Alat Consensus were used. The educational intervention consisted of oral explanation and visual demonstration of the inhalation technique. Paired data analysis was performed, and absolute and relative frequencies were calculated with their respective 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: A consecutive sample of 72 nurses was included, of which 95.83% (95%CI 88.30-99.13) made at least one error in the baseline assessment. The most frequent errors were the lack of indication to the patient to exhale prior to inhalation (83.72%), forgetting to remove the air chamber and repeat the steps before the second dose (81.40%). After immediate evaluation after receiving the educational intervention, 74.42% (95%CI 58.83-86.49) corrected the technique. However, at one month, 53.49% (23/43; 95%CI 37.66-68.86) performed the technique correctly. CONCLUSIONS: The educational intervention could be effective in correcting errors in this practice, although its effects tend to fade over time. Therefore, we consider periodic and systematic education relevant to maintain a correct inhalation technique among professionals.

Assessment of cognitive and psychomotor impairment, subjective effects, and blood THC concentrations following acute administration of oral and vaporized cannabis.

BACKGROUND: Cannabis legalization is expanding, but there are no established methods for detecting cannabis impairment. AIM: Characterize the acute impairing effects of oral and vaporized cannabis using various performance tests. METHODS: Participants (N = 20, 10 men/10 women) who were infrequent cannabis users ingested cannabis brownies (0, 10, and 25 mg Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, THC) and inhaled vaporized cannabis (0, 5, and 20 mg THC) in six double-blind outpatient sessions. Cognitive/psychomotor impairment was assessed with a battery of computerized tasks sensitive to cannabis effects, a novel test (the DRiving Under the Influence of Drugs, DRUID®), and field sobriety tests. Blood THC concentrations and subjective drug effects were evaluated. RESULTS: Low oral/vaporized doses did not impair cognitive/psychomotor performance relative to placebo but produced positive subjective effects. High oral/vaporized doses impaired cognitive/psychomotor performance and increased positive and negative subjective effects. The DRUID® was the most sensitive test to cannabis impairment, as it detected significant differences between placebo and active doses within both routes of administration. Women displayed more impairment on the DRUID® than men at the high vaporized dose only. Field sobriety tests showed little sensitivity to cannabis-induced impairment. Blood THC concentrations were far lower after cannabis ingestion versus inhalation. After inhalation, blood THC concentrations typically returned to baseline well before pharmacodynamic effects subsided. CONCLUSIONS: Standard approaches for identifying impairment due to cannabis exposure (i.e. blood THC and field sobriety tests) have severe limitations. There is a need to identify novel biomarkers of cannabis exposure and/or behavioral tests like the DRUID® that can reliably and accurately detect cannabis impairment at the roadside and in the workplace.