title: Enhancing Asthma Medication Delivery: Spacers and Valved Holding Chambers.
abstract: Asthma is one of the most prevalent chronic diseases managed by school nurses, and its management often includes the administration of bronchodilators delivered via a metered dose inhaler (MDI). The use of an MDI requires coordination and mastery of steps that must be performed correctly and in the proper order. These steps are greatly enhanced, especially in the pediatric population, through the use of medical devices-spacers and valved holding chambers. The purpose of this article is to review the rationale and implications for the use of these devices in the school setting.
authors.affiliation: Director of Education, Allergy & Asthma Network, Vienna, VA.
authors.forename: Sally
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Schoessler
authors.affiliation: President and Chief Executive Officer, Allergy & Asthma Network, Vienna, VA.
authors.forename: Tonya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Winders
mesh_terms: D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000592:standards*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D036503:Inhalation Spacers / Q000592:standards*; D008297:Male; D036501:Metered Dose Inhalers / Q000592:standards*; D008875:Middle Aged; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012573:School Nursing / Q000592:standards*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D001993:Bronchodilator Agents
keywords: asthma; school nurse; spacers; valved holding chambers