Abstract
RATIONALE: Limited information is available on healthcare professionals knowledge of inhaled medications and devices for their administration(1).
METHODS: Prospective audit of Non-Consultant Hospital Doctors(NCHD) and nurses. 70 subjects (20 nurses,50 NCHD)completed questionnaires about the most commonly prescribed inhalers (Spiriva, Seretide, Symbicort, Beclasone, Ventolin) and underwent evaluation of their demonstration skills for: meter-dose inhaler(MDI), Easibreathe, Turbohaler,Diskus,Handihaler,Respimat.
RESULTS:Ventolin was the most familiar inhaler: 94% doctors(D) and 85% nurses(N) knew its generic name, 86% D and 60% N knew its drug class and 75% of both knew frequency of use. Only 12% of D (vs 55% N) knew its correct dosage.Least familiarity was shown for Symbicort generic name (22% D vs 10% N), its drug class (34% D vs 25% N) and frequency of usage (42% D vs 70% N).Nurses were more familiar with devices: 60% named correct device for Seretide, 50% for Ventolin and 40% remainder. For doctors: 24% Seretide, 18% Ventolin, 16% Beclasone ,14% Symbicort and 8% Spiriva. 80% doctors and 60% nurses demonstrated correct use of MDI. Demonstration skills were least successful for Respimat (16% D; 25% N).
CONCLUSION:
Inhalers knowledge among healthcare professionals is lacking. Doctors demonstrate better knowledge about inhalers generic names and drug class than nurses.Nurses’ knowledge is better for doses, frequency of use and devices.Education of healthcare professionals about inhaled respiratory medication is extremely important.
REFERENCE:1.Self T et al. Inadequate skill of healthcare professionals in using asthma inhalation devices.J Asthma. 2007 Oct;44(8):593-8.
- © 2013 ERS