title: Handling and acceptability of the Easi-Breathe device compared with a conventional metered dose inhaler by patients and practice nurses.
abstract: This study compared the handling and acceptability of the Easi-Breathe, a breath-actuated metered dose inhaler (MDI), with that of a conventional MDI. A total of 104 patients and 14 practice nurses took part in interviews at a central location. An additional 100 practice nurses were interviewed in a telephone study. Significantly more patients (86%) found Easi-Breathe easier than a conventional MDI to use correctly (p < or = 0.001). Overall, more patients preferred Easi-Breathe (82% vs 18%; p < or = 0.001), ease of use and confidence in successful dose delivery being the main reasons for their preference. Nurses thought that Easi-Breathe was easier for the vast majority of patients (97%) to use correctly, as well as being easier to teach and to use correctly in a crisis (p < or = 0.001). Overall, 79% of nurses preferred the Easi-Breathe to the conventional MDI (p < or = 0.001), ease of use and ease of teaching being the main reasons for their preference.
authors.affiliation: West Suffolk Hospital, Bury St Edmunds, UK.
authors.forename: D B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Price
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pearce
authors.forename: S R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Powell
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Shirley
authors.forename: M K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Sayers
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009330:Nebulizers and Vaporizers; D009726:Nurses; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010465:Perception