The use of spacers contributes to less deposition of medicine in the mouth and throat and more deposition in the lungs.
There are various models on the market, with size, length and shape adapted to all ages. They are used with mouthpieces or with face masks, the latter being especially recommended for very young children who cannot yet use the mouthpiece or for elderly people who have difficulty in performing breathing movements.
The administration of medication using the spacer with face mask enables the patient to breathe normally while administering the medication, making it possible to overcome any difficulties of coordination between pressing the inhaler and taking a proper inspiration at the same time. This is particularly important for children up to 5 years of age and some elderly people.
The face mask minimises breathing effort and must be perfectly adapted to the child's face, so that the technique is carried out correctly.
How to use an spacer?
1. Remove the protective cap from the inhaler and shake it (spacers are only to be used with one type of inhaler, pressurised inhalers (pDMI), so check with a healthcare professional that your inhaler can be used with an spacer);
2. Place the inhaler in the chamber;
3. Pour out the air;
4. Place the chamber in your mouth and press your lips to the mouthpiece;
5. Press the inhaler (at the beginning of inspiration);
6. Inhale slowly and deeply through the mouth and hold your breath for 10 seconds so that the medicine is deposited in the lungs;
7. If you cannot make a deep inhalation by mouth and hold it, you can inhale and exhale through the chamber without pauses, 20 to 30 seconds;
8. Wipe the mouthpiece with a dry cloth, remove the inhaler and put the cap on.
Although frequently used, administering medicines with the expander chamber requires some training and practice.
The most frequent errors are:
- Delay between activation of the inhaler and inhalation (should not be more than 2 seconds);
- Miss-adapted face mask (not covering the mouth and nose) or of inadequate size, allowing drug leakage;
- Administering to children while they are crying (one way to avoid the situation is to administer while they are sleeping).
- Loading multiple doses of medication into the spacer before inhalation (you should press the inhaler once and make the inhalation; if another dose is required, wait 30-60 seconds and repeat the procedure).
The expander chambers require careful cleaning and disinfection to avoid the risk of contamination:
- Clean the chamber regularly, at least once a week, or according to the manufacturer's instructions;
- The chamber should be disassembled, however, it is recommended to read the manufacturer's information carefully as some chambers are not completely removable;
- The parts should be soaked in a container with warm water and neutral liquid detergent for 15 minutes. Gently shake the container, avoiding the formation of foam;
- Rinse the parts with clean water and place them in an upright position to drain and dry;
- When the chamber is dry, assemble it and check its condition. When there are cracks in the chamber or the valve is in poor condition, it must be rejected.
PMH has high quality spacers at a very interesting price, the cheapest on the market. For any question related to this product, please contact us through the channels we have available on our website.