Zephyr Guide

Free Animated Guide for 'Press and Breathe' Metered Dose Inhalers (MDI's)

Inhaler technique guide suitable for patients using inhalers such as Atrovent inhaler, Salamol inhaler, Clenil Modulite inhaler, Flixotide Evohaler, Fostair inhaler, Flutiform inhaler, Qvar inhaler, Seretide Evohaler, Ventolin Evohaler, Sirdupla inhaler and Symbicort inhaler

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For patients with Asthma or COPD, inhaling medicine can be a very effective delivery pathway – but often it is not!

8 in 10 patients have difficulty using their life-saving inhalers
• Inhalers can be difficult to use, and this can mean poorer health, risk of flare-ups and visits to hospital.
• A good technique can help easier breathing, improved health and better quality of life.

Good training means good technique
• This guide will remind you what your doctor, nurse or pharmacist told you.
• Speak to them if you have any questions about using your inhalers.
• This guide is consistent with published guidance.
• This guide has been independently reviewed with patients, carers, practice nurses, pharmacists, GPs, respiratory consultants, a psychotherapist, health education organisations / charities and inhaler experts.

Check Regularly
• Most people struggle to maintain good technique 6 weeks after training.
• Check this guide every month to continually improve your technique.
• "If at first you don't succeed; try, try and try again"

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App reviews from patients:
• "Very clear"
• "Simple to follow"
• "I cannot go wrong following this guide"
• "When newly diagnosed, this guide is a good place to start"

App reviews from healthcare professionals:
• "Inhaler technique is a massive challenge for our patients”
• “The first thing you do when you see someone with uncontrolled asthma is check their inhaler technique, that’s number one”
• “This is a good description of how to do it”
• "This guide is very simple and clear"
• "Spot on!"
• "If patients follow this guide, most will live their life symptom free"

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Some of the most common inhaler technique mistakes observed and reported by the NHS, Asthma UK and other groups / charities are:
• Pressing the canister before inhalation
• Pressing the canister too late
• Inhaling too fast
• Pressing the canister twice during single inhalation
• Not continuing to breathe in after pressing the canister
• Not holding breath after inhalation

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Zephyr Guide based on guidance published by or available from:
• Association of Respiratory Nurse Specialists (www.arns.co.uk)
• Asthma UK (www.asthma.org.uk/advice/inhalers-medicines-treatments/using-inhalers)
• Education for Health (www.educationforhealth.org)
• European Respiratory Society (www.ers-education.org/lrmedia/2016/pdf/298394.pdf)
• Greater Manchester Inhaler Technique Improvement Innovation Project and Wessex AHSN (www.wessexahsn.org.uk/videos/show/140)
• NHS (www.beta.nhs.uk/medicines/salbutamol-inhaler/)
• PrescQIPP (www.prescqipp.info/respiratory#inhaler-technique-assessment-videos-and-leaflets)
• Primary Care Respiratory Society UK (www.pcrs-uk.org/inhaler-technique-tips)
• UK Inhaler Group (www.respiratoryfutures.org.uk/programmes/uk-inhaler-group/educational-videos-and-reviews)
• all web sites accessed and viewed in March / April 2017