Asthma & Allergy: Dangerous Application Errors
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More about the experts All content is checked by medical journalists.MunichFor allergy sufferers, an adrenaline pre-filled syringe can save lives in the event of a shock reaction. Asthma patients use an inhaler in an emergency. But very few use these medical devices properly. This can have fatal consequences.
Dr. Randa Bonds and her colleagues from the University of Texas were shown by 145 patients from different clinics how they use their pre-filled adrenaline syringes and inhalation devices. The scientists then compared the test subjects' approach with established standards.
Not even a sixth makes it right
Only a shockingly small percentage of patients were really familiar with the use of the medical devices: 16 percent of allergy sufferers and just seven percent of asthmatics use them as prescribed. Over half of the subjects made three or more mistakes. It made no difference which clinic the patients were treated in, what level of education they had or whether someone else in their family was using a similar medical device.
Firmly press and wait
The most common mistake made by allergy sufferers: they remove the syringe too early. If you ever need to use these, you should hold the pre-filled syringes in the puncture site on the thigh muscle for at least ten seconds before removing them. It is also important to position the needle correctly and to press the release button firmly enough.
Exhale and shake
Before using an inhaler, you should breathe out as deeply as possible - this way the medication powder can be inhaled optimally afterwards. In order for the device to really deliver the right amount of medication, it is also important to shake the device well before the second and third dose.
"In the worst case, medication will not work properly in the event of an allergic shock, for example after an insect bite, if it is used incorrectly," says Bonds. It is important that doctors take the time to explain the use of medical devices to the patient in detail.
Source: Bonds R.S. et al .: Misuse of medical devices: a persistent problem in self-management of asthma and allergic disease, Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, in press, available online November 18, 2014.
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