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REGULAR ARTICLE
Emergency treatment of obstructive bronchitis: change from nebulizers to metered dose inhalers with spacers
Article first published online: 6 APR 2011
DOI: 10.1111/j.1651-2227.2011.02267.x
© 2011 The Author(s)/Acta Pædiatrica © 2011 Foundation Acta Pædiatrica
Additional Information
How to Cite
Mecklin, M., Paassilta, M., Kainulainen, H. and Korppi, M. (2011), Emergency treatment of obstructive bronchitis: change from nebulizers to metered dose inhalers with spacers. Acta Paediatrica, 100: 1226–1229. doi: 10.1111/j.1651-2227.2011.02267.x
Publication History
- Issue published online: 16 AUG 2011
- Article first published online: 6 APR 2011
- Accepted manuscript online: 14 MAR 2011 10:48AM EST
- Received 27 September 2010; revised 7 March 2011; accepted 10 March 2011.
- Abstract
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Keywords:
- Emergency care;
- Inhalation therapy;
- Nebulization;
- Obstruction;
- Preschool child;
- Spacer device
Abstract
Aim: To evaluate how the change from drug nebulizers to metered dose inhalers (MDI) with spacers succeeded and influenced the hospitalization rate and the length of the emergency room (ER) and hospital stay in wheezing preschool-aged children.
Methods: After educating and training the nurses and physicians, the use of MDIs with spacers was started on 1 November 2006 in the ER and acute wards of our hospital. All of the 1-to-5-year-old patients admitted for bronchial obstruction from 1 November 2004 to 28 February 2005 and from 1 November 2006 to 28 February 2007 were included in this retrospective hospital chart review.
Results: In 2004–2005, 78% of the children were treated with salbutamol administered by nebulizers, and in 2006–2007, 84% with salbutamol administered by MDIs with spacers. The hospitalization rate was about 50% in both groups, and no difference was seen in the length of the hospital stay. The children treated with the MDIs with spacers stayed in the ER for a longer time.
Conclusion: The change from drug nebulizers to MDIs with spacers in the treatment of acute bronchial obstruction in 1-to-5-year-old children was successful after the staff was educated and trained.