HOME NEBULIZER USE IN CHILDREN WITH ASTHMA IN 2 SCOTTISH HEALTH BOARD AREAS

Objective: To audit the use of home nebulisers in children with asthma. Design: Postal questionnaire. Setting: Two Health Board Areas in Central Scotland-one large industrialised city, one mixed urban and rural. Subjects: 297 children with asthma. Measures evaluated: Initial supply and technical support for the Compressor Education: Pattern of drug usage. Symptom control: Monitoring and treatment of acute attacks. Results: The full burden of the home nebulised therapy is not being met by the NHS. Supply and servicing arrangements for home nebuliser therapy were poorly organised. Chronic asthma symptoms did not appear to be optimally controlled on present medication, with 61% reporting sleep disturbance in the previous three months. About 20% of parents admitted that they would give nebulised bronchodilator therapy more frequently than the recommended 3 to 4 hourly. Conclusion: Re-organisation of resources and arrangements could improve the service and bring it in line with recognised standards of care.