Evaluación de las técnicas y errores en el uso de los inhaladores de dosis medida en el paciente adulto / Assessment of techniques and errors in the use of metered dose inhalers in adults

ABSTRACT

Background: Not all the techniques for the correct use of metered dose inhalers are used by patients and health care professionals. Aim: To assess the techniques and errors in the use of metered dose inhalers among patients and health care professionals. Material and methods : Evaluation of the inhaling technique, using a validated questionnaire, used by 68 patients, 30 physicians and 30 nurses working in a hospital at Concepción, Chile. Results: The "closed mouth" technique is used by 84 percent of patients, 40 percent of physicians and 73 percent of nurses. The rest uses the "open mouth" technique. The aerochamber is used by 12 percent of patients, 37 percent of physicians and 27 percent of nurses. The most frequent inhaling errors detected were not shaking the inhaler (26 percent of patients, 30 percent of physicians and 7 percent of nurses), not applying the puff at the start of inspiration (28 percent of patients, 7 percent of physicians and 13 percent of nurses), and not maintaining an apnea after the inhalation (41 percent of patients, 7 percent of physicians and 10 percent of nurses). Sixty percent of patients, 67 percent of physicians and 40 percent of nurses have not received instructions about the inhaler use. Conclusions: There is a high frequency of errors in the use of inhalers and most users have not been trained in its use