Evaluation of the Usage Techniques of the Inhalation Devices and the Effect of Training Nurses

Background: Incorrect usage techniques of the inhalation devices are prevalent among medical personnel.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the nurses’ usage techniques of the inhalation devices, and the early and late phase impacts of training.

Methods: This study included randomly selected 30 nurses. Four different placebo inhalation devices (metered-dose inhaler, metered-dose inhaler plus spacer, diskhaler and tur- buhaler) were given to the nurses. The usage techniques of the inhalation device of nurses were evaluated in 11 steps on the first day. The evaluation was repeated at the first and 9th month following the completion of the training.

Results: The number of the nurses performing all the steps correctly was 7 for metered-dose inhaler, 5 for metered-dose inhaler plus spacer and 2 for diskhaler at pre-training phase. None of the nurses could use turbuhaler properly. The num­ber of the nurses properly performing inhalation techniques significantly increased with training (p<0.0001). However, this number decreased at the late phase following training compared with the early phase (p<0.01). The highest percent demonstration score was obtained by MDI in pre-training phase. The percent demonstration score was 68.9 ± 28.0 for MDI, 54.5 ± 32.7 for MDI plus spacer, 35.4 ± 38.1 for diskhaler and 5.8 ± 16.8 for turbuhaler. After training, mean percent demonstration scores for all inhalation devices sig­nificantly increased (p<0.0001), but these values decreased at the late phase (p<0.01).

Conclusion: The knowledge of the nurses about the usage of inhalation devices is not sufficient. If the nurses are to be in charge in the follow-up and training of asthmatic patients, they should be trained and this training must be frequently repeated.