Children Need To Be Reminded How To Use MDIs

Published Online: Wednesday, May 1, 2002   [ Request Print ]

Almost One-Half Of Children And Adolescents Seen In An Emergency Department For Acute Asthma Exacerbations Did Not Know How To Properly Use A Metered-Dose Inhaler (Mdi) With Or Without A Spacer. Younger Children Were More Likely To Use An Mdi Improperly, As Reported In The Archives Of Pediatric And Adolescent Medicine. Improper Use Of An Mdi Plus Spacer Was Found Most Often In Patients With No Hospitalizations In The Past Year, Whose Parents Assisted With Use Of The Inhaler, Or Who Did Not Use The Device On A Daily Basis. Furthermore, 83% Of Children Who, According To National Guidelines, Should Be Using A Peak Flow Meter At Home Did Not Do So.