Workshop on ‘Inhalation therapy on Asthma/COPD’

Chitkara College of Nursing in collaboration with AASTHA Internationals, Association against Asthma, Smoking and HIV, organized a Workshop on ‘Inhalation Therapy in Asthma/COPD’ on May 22, 2015.

Dr. Jai Kishan, Director, State TB training and diagnostic Labs, a well-known Chest Physician took the expert lecture on Asthma and its treatment and after the theoretical inputs, demonstration regarding different methods of Inhalation therapy.

DrKishan discussed that Obstructive Airways Diseases are a major health burden in India. The prevalence of OAD is only going to increase in the future as a large number of OADs remain undiagnosed in clinical practice. Inhalation therapy is poorly used in India and patients suffering with OAD in India remain poorly managed. Doctors do not communicate effectively with patients suffering with OADs and OADs contribute to a huge economic loss in India.
He stated that Nurse is the best person who can teach the patient regarding prevention and treatment of Asthma/COPD. He gave main emphasis on the treatment of OADs with Inhalation therapy rather than systemic drugs. According to him, health care personnel, i.e. nurses and doctors should know regarding various methods of inhalation devices, they should choose the best device for the inhalation therapy and should educate the patient regarding proper use of these inhalation therapy devices. He explained regarding:

1. MDI (Metered dose Inhalers)
2. MDIs with spacers
3. MDIs with spacers and mask (for children)
4. Dry powder inhalers Single dose and multi dose.
He mentioned that out of all the asthma/COPD patients, only 5-10% patients are treated properly as either they do not comply with treatment or the method of taking the inhalation therapy is not properly taught to them so they keep on taking the treatment wrongly.
He stated that following steps to manage the problem:

• Educate patients.
• Assess and monitor severity
• Avoid exposure to risk factors
• Establish medication plans for chronic management in adults and children
• Establish plans for managing exacerbations
• Provide regular follow-up care

The workshop was informative and talked in detail about the growing problem.