Table 4 Frequency of HCP-observed errors after 12 weeks of device use in the longitudinal phase
BF Spiromax (N = 151) | BF Turbuhaler (N = 154) | |
|---|---|---|
Number of patients with at least one error, n (%) | 62 (41.1%) | 72 (46.8%) |
Total errors, n | 75a | 125a |
Does not hold the inhaler with the semi-transparent mouthpiece cover at the bottom | 0 | N/A |
Spiromax: Does not open cap Turbuhaler: Does not remove cap | 0 | 0 |
Dose preparation: A click is not heard when the cap is opened | 0 | N/A |
Dose preparation: not twisting the base as far as possible, until it clicks and not turning it back to the original position | N/A | 19 (12.3%) |
Spiromax: Inhaler is not held upright when a dose is prepared (±90° is acceptable) Turbuhaler: Inhaler is not held upright (mouthpiece skywards ±45°) when a dose is prepared throughout dose preparation | 4 (2.6%) | 8 (5.2%) |
Turbuhaler: Device not held upright (upright means mouthpiece pointed skywards ±45°) after the base is twisted until inhalation | N/A | 8 (5.2%) |
Vigorous shaking before or after dose preparation | 19 (12.6%) | 18 (11.7%) |
Exhales into the inhaler before taking dose | 8 (5.3%) | 13 (8.4%) |
Fails to put in mouth and seal lips around mouthpiece | 1 (0.7%) | 1 (0.6%) |
Spiromax: Finger (or face) placed over the air inlet during an inhalation (at front above the mouthpiece) Turbuhaler: Fingers or mouth placed around air inlets (positioned around the base and above the mouthpiece) | 2 (1.3%) | 10 (6.5%) |
Inhalation is not as fast as possible (from the start) | 25 (16.6%) | 22 (14.3%) |
Errors involving a second dose error, n | ||
Spiromax: Does not close cap after the inhalation and load a new dose; a click is not heard when the cap is opened Turbuhaler: Does not load a new dose as described; dose preparation: not twisting the base as far as possible, until it clicks and not turning it back to the original position | 14 (9.3%) | 15 (9.7%) |
Spiromax: Does not close the inhaler after taking the second dose Turbuhaler: Does not place the cap back on the inhaler after taking the second dose | 1 (0.7%) | 7 (4.5%) |
Does not know how to read out the dose counter after asking the patient to check the number of doses left | 0 | 4 (2.6%) |