Lack of improvement in the modality of beta2 administration in pediatric departments: survey in Piedmont and Aosta Valley.
OBJECTIVE
In recent years many consensus conferences of scientific societies have reaffirmed the advantages of metered dose inhalator (MDI) and spacer administration compared to classic aerosol in acute asthma and maintenance therapy. Faced with a more than convincing documentation, the practitioners have shown a controversial attitude concerning this type of administration. At the same time, as a general acceptance of its superiority there is an inexplicable lack of use.


METHODS
This survey was carried out in 2006 and it involved pediatric hospital wards in Piedmont and Aosta Valley to evaluate the use of spacers in acute asthma in hospitalised children undergoing treatment. These results were compared to those obtained from another survey carried out in 2008 using identical questionnaires in the same departments in order to evaluate the implementation of such a practice.


RESULTS
In the two years between one survey and the other no increase in the use of MDI and spacer has been detected, but, on the contrary, a consistent decrease.


CONCLUSIONS
Notwithstanding the amount of evidence concerning its superiority compared to nebulisers MDI and spacer is not commonly used for asthma therapy yet. A "promotional" multidisciplinary intervention could play a determining role in the implementation of such a practice.
Guala
A
A
Pediatric Department, Castelli Hospital, Verbania, Italy. andrea.guala@aslvco.it
Bertone
A
A
Barbaglia
M
M
Orioli
L
L
Boscardini
L
L
Rallo
M
M
Bignamini
E
E
D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002648:Child; D006757:Hospital Units; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D036501:Metered Dose Inhalers; D010372:Pediatrics; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists