2002 OPEN FORUM Abstracts
INSPIRATORY FLOW RATES OF SCHOOL CHILDREN WHO USE METERED DOSE INHALERS
Tim Conlin MS RRT, St. Vincent Hospital, Indianapolis, IN
Background: Proper inhalation technique when using inhalation devices is important for deposition of medication to the lungs. A common misconception among patients is to breathe hard and fast to get medicine in the airways. Recommended inhalation rate for MDI?s are 30-60 L/Min (1).Children who use metered dose inhalers often inhale too quickly, but there hasn?t been a simple way to measure actual speed of inhalation. A device called the In-Check DIAL is now available that measures inhalation flow rates for patients using inhalers.
Method: Students who were enrolled in an asthma education program in several schools were assessed inhalation flow rates. Students who said they currently use or have used a metered dose inhaler were tested prior to the education sessions. Using the In-Check DIAL, 3 measurements were recorded for each student, asking them to ?pretend this is a metered dose inhaler?, and inhale ?just like you do when you use your inhaler?. Average values were obtained for each of the students.
Results: 78 students in grades 2-5 were tested. Only 8 students achieved inspiratory rates of 30-60L/min, 70 recorded higher levels, with 48 students at 120 L/min or greater.
Conclusion: The majority of children in this sample inhale too fast when using a metered dose inhaler. The use of the In-Check DIAL can be a useful tool to help assess inhalation rates in children.
1. Carveth HJ, Kanner RE. Optimizing Deposition of Aerolized Drug in the Lung: A Review. Medscape Respiratory Care 3 (1), 1999
OF-02-039