Inhaler technique by elderly a major concern

Around six million Australians suffer from respiratory diseases, such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and asthma.

Most of these people rely on preventer and reliever medications delivered via an inhaler to manage their conditions, but experts believe that the vast majority are not using their inhalers properly.

Estimates indicate that up to 90% of patients are misusing their inhalers, resulting in poor medication delivery, which in turn, can lead to reduced quality of life, more frequent and longer hospital stays, and even an increased dependence on their medication.

Whilst inhaler misuse appears to be rife across all age groups, it is such a concern amongst veterans and other older people, that the Department of Veterans’ Affairs has collaborated with Australia’s leading respiratory health organisations, the Australian Lung Foundation and the National Asthma Council Australia, as well as the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia, the Pharmacy Guild of Australia and the Australian General Practice Network, to create a new community education campaign to get people puffing properly.

The ‘Prevent Puffer Problems’ campaign features a range of easy to understand resources, designed to improve inhaler use including self care cards, which will be available in pharmacies, and a new inhaler technique demonstration video, that will be freely available via the National Asthma Council Australia’s website.

All six main types of asthma and COPD inhalers currently on the market in Australia are highlighted in the video, which shows National Asthma Council Australia asthma educator, Judi Wicking, providing patients with step-by-step usage instructions.

The video also includes captions to ensure viewers who may be hard of hearing get the right message.

Veterans and other older people are particularly prone to problems with inhaler use, due to lack of dexterity and sometimes a limited understanding of the manufacturer’s instructions.

Anyone who uses an inhaler should ask their GP or pharmacist to physically show them how to use it, and it is recommended regularly asking a health professional to double check technique to ensure no bad habits have crept in.

Common problems include not shaking a puffer between each dose; not holding a Turbuhaler or Accuhaler at the right angle when loading a dose; and putting multiple doses into a spacer, rather than inhaling each individual dose one at a time.

The campaign also includes an educational component for pharmacists and GPs, to help them brush up on their inhaler technique, and equip them with up to date information to ensure their patients are puffing properly.

See:

http://www.nationalasthma.org.au/