ASSESSMENT OF THE CONTINUED SUPERVISION AND ASTHMA MANAGEMENT KNOWLEDGE OF PATIENTS POSSESSING HOME NEBULIZERS

This paper describes the results of a questionnaire survey on some asp ects of nebulizer use, nebulizer instruction, and features relating to the recognition and management of deteriorating asthma. The study pop ulation consisted of 90 children with home nebulizers attending a paed iatric asthma clinic, and 200 asthmatic children and 200 asthmatic adu lts whose nebulizers had been purchased directly from a manufacturer i n the U.K. The results suggest that follow-up supervision of the patie nts who bought their own nebulizers occurred in only approximately 25% of cases. Written information focusing on the management of symptoms was also lacking. Peak flow meters were being under-used. Although the majority (77-100%) of patients were aware of the '4 h rule' for repea t use of bronchodilator therapy at home, there was still some confusio n about the acceptable time interval and action to be taken should the dose be required more frequently. Very few (32%) in the nationwide ad ult group had a crisis action plan should the nebulizer fail to produc e relief. This paper recommends that a simple treatment and crisis pla n should be included with the purchased nebulizer, highlighting the ke y areas to be discussed by the patients with the doctor or other medic al professionals. Such a package may prevent the occasional disaster t hat can occur with unsupervised nebulized bronchodilator usage.