Assessment of Pressurised Metered Dose Inhaler Technique of Nursing Staff in Different Government Hospitals of Karachi

Abstract

Objective: To assess pressurised metered dose inhaler technique of the nursing staff in different government hospitals of Karachi.
 Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in four randomly chosen government hospitals of Karachi. After checking for study criteria and obtaining written informed consent, a total of 120 nurses were interviewed and then given a placebo inhaler to demonstrate their inhaler technique. The reference for assessment was the 12-step inhalation technique suggested by the American College of Chest Physicians.
 Results: The study results revealed that out of the 12 steps of the inhaler technique, only 3 steps were followed by a majority of the study participants i.e. taking the cap off (64.2%), putting the metered dose inhaler in mouth with lips sealed (59.2%) and breathing in slowly by pressing down the metered dose inhaler (62.5%). The mean inhaler technique score of the study participants was 3.18 ± 2.34 out of 12 and only 1 (0.8%) of them had correct inhaler technique. Furthermore, the mean inhaler technique score was significantly higher for higher education level (p=0.001) and greater experience (p<0.001).
 Conclusion: The study results demonstrated the acute deficiency of knowledge about the correct in- haler technique among the study nurses. Appropriate resources should be directed towards educat- ing nurses to make sure that their needed knowledge and skills stay updated.