Nurse practitioner intervention to improve the use of metered-dose inhalers by children with asthma.
Metered-dose inhalers (MDIs) have become a mainstay of maintenance therapy for various allergic and respiratory conditions. When used correctly, MDIs are as effective as nebulized medications. Patients use MDIs incorrectly in many cases because of poor instruction and lack of spacer devices. Nurses and physicians often teach the technique improperly. Nurse practitioners can have a positive impact in improving care through better patient and staff teaching and the use of spacer devices with MDIs.