Assessment of metered dose inhaler technique in family health service patients in Singapore.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the metered-dose inhaler technique in polyclinic patients with chronic lung disease.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study was conducted in three polyclinics. The inhalation technique was assessed in six steps.


RESULTS
Only 7.1% of patients could perform all six steps correctly. Percentage of patients performing each of the following steps correctly were: preparation (89.1%), exhalation (53.8%), lip closure (69.2%), inhalation (57.7%), breath-holding (32.1%) and puff interval (35.4%).


CONCLUSIONS
This study showed a high incidence of incorrect usage of metered dose inhaler amongst polyclinic patients.
Tan
N C
NC
Queenstown Polyclinic, Singapore.
Ng
C J
CJ
Goh
S
S
Lee
C E
CE
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004868:Equipment Failure; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009330:Nebulizers and Vaporizers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D012846:Singapore