Good inhaler technique alongside good compliance is key to better outcomes in respiratory disease. Getting medicines efficiently into the lungs is a challenge for most of us, with even the best devices delivering a fraction of the dose to the site of action.
What then if patients use two different devices? What are the chances of each inhaler being used to full advantage?
We are also all trying to reduce the NHS carbon footprint by using DPI devices wherever possible, though data suggests pMDIs are still growing in popularity and action needs to be taken.
Our work was firmly embedded in close working with our respiratory nurse network and GP respiratory leads to consult with patients taking varied type inhalers.
Analysis of Somerset data revealed many patients using DPI preventers and an MDI reliever (occasionally the other way round).
Our task was to align as many regimes to the same type of inhaler as possible. After 18 months of work we have seen Somerset excel to top level in some of the key openprescribing.net indicators, reducing ICS load and reducing SABA use, as well as promoting SABAs as relievers to match the preventer inhalers.
