Inhaler spacer devices to treat asthma in children

Watson, Paul

Author Paul Watson was a specialist community public health nurse (school nursing) at Norfolk Community Health and Care Trust and is a secondary school maths teacher and coordinator of personal, social, health and economic education at Marshland High School, Wisbech.

• Next week, in part 2 of this series, Paul Watson describes the development of a new type of spacer

•This article has been double-blind peer reviewed

Nursing Times 108(46):p 18-20, November 13, 2012.

Abstract:

Watson P (2012) Space devices 1: inhaler spacer devices to treat asthma in children. Nursing Times; 108; 46: 18-20. Drawing on literature searches and professional experience, this article discusses the treatment of asthma with pressurised metered dose inhalers (pMDIs). It demonstrates the need for pMDIs, and presents the health and cost benefits of using a pMDI through a spacer device. Through the review and evaluation of studies, it demonstrates the importance of correct asthma management and the use of spacers. Although there are many types of spacer, and patients often have less than optimal technique, there is evidence to support the overall benefits of use against non-use.

More than one million children in the UK have asthma. Those who use spacers with their inhalers have a better chance of getting an effective drug dose

In this article…

> The prevalence and treatment of asthma

> A discussion of the evidence for using spacers

> Correct technique for using spacers