Handling and acceptability of the easi-breathe device compared with a conventional metered dose inhaler by patients and practice nurses

This study compared the handling and acceptability of the Easi-Breathe(TM), a breath-actuated metered dose inhaler (MDI), with that of a conventional MDI. A total of 104 patients and 14 practice nurses took part in interviews at a central location. An additional 100 practice nurses were interviewed in a telephone study. Significantly more patients (86 %) found Easi-Breathe easier than a conventional MDI to use correctly (p less than or equal to 0 .001). Overall, more patients preferred Easi-Breathe (82 % vs 18 %, p less than or equal to 0.001), ease of use and confidence in successful dose deli very being the main reasons for their preference. Nurses thought that Easi- Breathe was easier for the vast majority of patients (97 %) to use correctl y, as well as being easier to teach and to use correctly in a crisis (p les s than or equal to 0.001). Overall, 79 % of nurses preferred the Easi-Breat he to the conventional MDI (p less than or equal to 0.001), ease of use and ease of teaching being the main reasons for their preference.