Inhaler competence in asthma: Common errors, barriers to use and recommended solutions

• Published in: Respiratory medicine Vol. 107; no. 1; pp. 37 - 46
• Main Authors: Price, D, Bosnic-Anticevich, S, Briggs, A, Chrystyn, H, Rand, C, Scheuch, G, Bousquet, J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.01.2013; Elsevier; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: Administration, Inhalation; Adolescent; Anti-Asthmatic Agents - administration & dosage; Anti-Asthmatic Agents - therapeutic use; Asthma; Asthma - drug therapy; Asthma - psychology; Biological and medical sciences; Child; Child, Preschool; Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD); Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma; Clinical Competence; Costs; Drug dosages; Dry Powder Inhalers; Education; Humans; Inhalers; Medical sciences; Medication Errors; Metered Dose Inhalers; Nebulizers and Vaporizers; Patient Compliance; Patient Education as Topic - methods; Patient Medication Knowledge; Patients; Pneumology; Pulmonary/Respiratory; Inhalers; Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD); Asthma; Delivery system; Lung disease; Respiratory disease; Error; Barrier; Chronic; Inhaler; Bronchus disease; Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; Obstructive pulmonary disease; Solution; Pneumology
• ISSN: 0954-6111; 1532-3064
• DOI: 10.1016/j.rmed.2012.09.017

Summary Whilst the inhaled route is the first line administration method in the management of asthma, it is well documented that patients can have problems adopting the correct inhaler technique and thus receiving adequate medication. This applies equally to metered dose inhalers and dry powder inhalers and leads to poor disease control and increased healthcare costs. Reviews have highlighted these problems and the recent European Consensus Statement developed a call to action to seek solutions. This review takes forward the challenge of inhaler competence by highlighting the issues and suggesting potential solutions to these problems. The opportunity for technological innovation and educational interventions to reduce errors is highlighted, as well as the specific challenges faced by children. This review is intended as a policy document, as most issues faced by patients have not changed for half a century, and this situation should not be allowed to continue any longer. Future direction with respect to research, policy needs and practice, together with education requirements in inhaler technique are described.