Health professionals can now download a comprehensive new suite of resources to encourage the use of spacers with pressurised metered dose inhalers (pMDIs).
Developed by the National Asthma Council Australia (NAC), the resources include a new spacer chart and information sheet for health professionals and an accompanying how-to-video.
Only about one in 10 patients can correctly perform all the steps in using a pMDI and three-quarters of patients using a pMDI make at least one error when using their inhaler said nurse practitioner specialist in paediatric asthma Adele Berry, also a member of the Australian Asthma Handbook Guidelines Committee.
“If patients are not using the correct technique, they’re not getting the medicine into their lungs they need to manage their asthma.
“Well-controlled asthma means less absenteeism from school or work and fewer visits to hospital, and better lung function and quality of life.”
The clinical effectiveness of pMDIs can be significantly improved by using a spacer, said Ms Berry. “The spacer helps the medication reach the small airways where it is most needed and this is important for both adults and children.”
The use of a pMDI with a spacer is at least as effective and safe as use of a nebuliser and spacers should be selected individually to fit the pMDI, said Ms Berry.
“The new suite of resources from the NAC will help health professionals to ensure that every patient prescribed a pMDI knows how to use a spacer and use it when needed or as directed.”
The resources are beneficial for GPs, primary healthcare nurses, asthma nurse educators, pharmacists and any health professionals caring for people living with asthma.
The NAC recommends that spacers should be used by:
- all children aged 4 years and under
- anyone taking a corticosteroid preventer medication using an pMDI/puffer
- anyone who has trouble coordinating the ‘press and breathe’ technique when using an pMDI/puffer
- anyone taking a reliever pMDI/puffer for asthma symptoms.
New NAC resources:
The Spacers for Pressurised Metered-Dose Inhalers Chart is a poster designed to go on the wall of the clinic or pharmacy to help health professionals identify and explain the range of spacers available. It can also be used to start a conversation about the benefits of using a spacer with a pMDI.
The AeroChamber Plus* Flow-Vu* Spacers for pressurised metered-dose inhalers information sheet includes valuable information for health professionals to assist in discussing the benefits of spacers with patients.
The How to use a metered dose inhaler (puffer) with a spacer for adults video provides step by step instructions and tips on how to correctly use an AeroChamber spacer with a pMDI and also how to use an AeroChamber spacer with a mask.
An updated Spacer use and care fact sheet can also be used to help explain to patients and carers why a spacer is so important and also the types of spacers available, as well as tips for using and cleaning a spacer and puffer.
All spacer resources can be downloaded directly from the NAC website and hard copies of the wall chart (A3 size) can be ordered from the National Asthma Council Australia by contacting nac@nationalasthma.org.au
The NAC is currently updating the Australian Asthma Handbook Guidelines.
Visit the website for the current Australian Asthma Handbook
