[Evaluation of the knowledge of health professionals at a pediatric hospital regarding the use of metered-dose inhalers].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate health professionals working at a tertiary pediatric hospital in terms of their knowledge regarding the practical use of metered-dose inhalers.


METHODS
Practical and written tests on the use of metered-dose inhalers were applied to physicians, physical therapists, nurses and nursing assistants. A score from 0 to 10 was assigned to each evaluation, and median scores were calculated for each professional category. Questions with higher and lower correct values were identified, and a descriptive comparison was made regarding the performance of the various professional categories. Statistical analysis was performed using the Kruskal-Wallis method for comparison of medians. A sequential logistic multiple regression analysis was also performed.


RESULTS
A total of 30 resident physicians or interns in the pediatrics department, 23 attending physicians, 29 physical therapists, 33 nurses and 31 nursing assistants were evaluated. Resident physicians, physical therapists and attending physicians performed significantly better than did nurses and nursing assistants. Only resident physicians had a median score greater than 6.


CONCLUSIONS
The health professionals evaluated, particularly the nurses and nursing assistants, who are directly involved in the practical use of metered-dose inhalers, possess insufficient knowledge regarding the use of such inhalers.
Muchão
Fábio Pereira
FP
Unidade de Pneumologia Pediátrica do Instituto da Criança, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil. fabiomuchao@gmail.com
Perín
Sílvia La Regina Rodrigues
SL
Rodrigues
Joaquim Carlos
JC
Leone
Cláudio
C
Silva Filho
Luiz Vicente Ribeiro Ferreira
LV
D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001938:Brazil; D004501:Education, Medical; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006776:Hospitals, Pediatric; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D016015:Logistic Models; D008505:Medical Staff, Hospital / Q000193:education / Q000592:standards*; D036501:Metered Dose Inhalers; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000193:education / Q000592:standards; D026761:Physical Therapy Specialty; D011361:Professional Competence / Q000592:standards*; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric