Study on Utilization Pattern of Pulmonary Inhalers in Inpatient, Bhagwan Mahaveer Jain Hospital, Bangalore, India

Objective: To study on utilization pattern of pulmonary inhalers in inpatient, Bhagwan Mahaveer Jain Hospital, Bangalore, India. Methods: The proper inhalation technique was assed using the questionnaires there were 11 steps for MDI and 12 steps for MDI + spacer each correct technique carried a score of 1 and wrong technic carried 0.The adherence to the inhaler technique was assed using the formula correct dose/incorrect dose*100 and the reasons for non-adherence was also noted. The therapeutic inappropriateness of prescribed inhalers and antiasthmatic drugs is determined with standard guidelines. The cost involved in use of inhalers in therapeutic inappropriateness also considered. Results: In our study population about 10.8% asthmatics and 20% COPD patients were prescribed with budesonide MDI. About 10% asthmatics and 9.1 COPD patients were prescribed with budesonide MDI+spacer. About 4.1% asthmatics and 2.5% coped patients were prescribed with salbutamol MDI. About 17% asthmatics and 10% copd patients were prescribed with mdi ipratropium and 8% asthmatics and 12.5% coped patients were prescribed with ipratropium MDI+spacer. When the knowledge regarding the usage of inhalers was assed using standard questionnaire which had 11 steps for MDI and 12 steps for MDI+spacer each questionnaire had scoring of 0 representing not performing the step, 1 representing following the step the scores were high after pharmacist intervention when compared to before pharmacist intervention Conclusion: The present results highlight the need for pharmacist interventions aimed at improving adherence to inhalers in coped and asthmatic patients.