Tuberc Respir Dis.  2018 Apr;81(2):91-98. 10.4046/trd.2017.0119.

Continued Innovation in Respiratory Care: The Importance of Inhaler Devices

• Bosnic-Anticevich SZ

• KMID: 2420596
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4046/trd.2017.0119

Abstract

When it comes to the use in inhalers in the management of chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, there are many options, considerations and challenges, which health care professionals need to address. Considerations for prescribing and dispensing, administering and following up, education, and adherence; all of these factors impact on treatment success and all are intrinsically linked to the device selected. This review brings together relevant evidence, real-life data and practice tools to assist health care professionals in making decisions about the use of inhalers in the management of chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases. It covers some of the key technical device issues to be considered, the evidence behind the role of inhalers in disease control, population studies which link behaviors and adherence to inhaler devices as well as practice advice on inhaler technique education and the advantages and disadvantages in selecting different inhaler devices. Finally, a list of key considerations to aid health care providers in successfully managing the use of inhaler devices are summarized.

Keyword

Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive; Device; Inhaler

MeSH Terms

Delivery of Health Care
Education
Health Personnel
Humans
Lung Diseases, Obstructive
Nebulizers and Vaporizers*
Population Control
Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive

Figure

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  Figure 1 Pathway to device selection. Modified from Dekhuijzen et al. Respir Med 2013;107:1817–21, according to the Creative Commons license63. pMDI: pressurized metered dose inhaler; DPI: dry powder inhaler.

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