Annals of allergy, asthma & immunology : official publication of the American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology
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Ann. Allergy Asthma Immunol. · Sep 2002
An exploration of the skills needed for inhalation therapy in schoolchildren with asthma in Taiwan.
Clinical observation has shown that many asthma-affected children and their parents are not familiar with appropriate techniques for inhaler use. This may result in misuse, overdose, or diminished response of the administered therapeutic drugs, or may even result in unnecessary, repeated hospitalization. Inappropriate inhalation technique is hazardous to the safety of children with asthma and unnecessarily increases costs resulting from unnecessary rehospitalization. ⋯ This study revealed that most asthmatic children being treated with inhaler medication do not use such devices appropriately. More aggressive asthma education is necessary in Taiwan.