title: A cross-sectional observational study to assess inhaler technique in Saudi hospitalized patients with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the proportion of critical errors committed while demonstrating the inhaler technique in hospitalized patients diagnosed with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
  
  
  METHODS
  This cross-sectional observational study was conducted in 47 asthmatic and COPD patients using inhaler devices. The study took place at King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia between September and December 2013. Two pharmacists independently assessed inhaler technique with a validated checklist.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seventy percent of patients made at least one critical error while demonstrating their inhaler technique, and the mean number of critical errors per patient was 1.6. Most patients used metered dose inhaler (MDI), and 73% of MDI users and 92% of dry powder inhaler users committed at least one critical error.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Inhaler technique in hospitalized Saudi patients was inadequate. Health care professionals should understand the importance of reassessing and educating patients on a regular basis for inhaler technique, recommend the use of a spacer when needed, and regularly assess and update their own inhaler technique skills.
authors.affiliation: Pharmaceutical Care Services (Ammari, Al Halwan) King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. E-mail. ammarima@ngha.med.sa.
authors.forename: Maha
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Al Ammari
authors.forename: Khizra
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sultana
authors.forename: Faisal
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Yunus
authors.forename: Mohammed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Al Ghobain
authors.forename: Shatha M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Al Halwan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009330:Nebulizers and Vaporizers; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012529:Saudi Arabia; D020377:Self Efficacy