I am Doctor Peg Strub, Chief of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology at Kaiser Permanente, San Fransisco and an Assistant Clinical Professor at the University of California, San Fransisco. We are now going to demonstrate inhaler technique using a spacer device. The first thing we do is take the meter dose inhaler out of the box. Shake it. And take the cap off. If this is a brand new meter dose inhaler, or if it has been sometime since you have used it, you may need to prime the device. And, I would suggest that you check the package insert for priming instructions. For, but priming just means that you release it, you spray. And depending on the device you may need to spray two times or four times. Okay, so the next thing that we do is we stand up straight, and insert the mouth piece into the spacer device, and sometimes it takes a little maneuvering to make sure that you get a good fit. Okay. Next, we take the cap off of the spacer. Okay, we now place the mouthpiece of the spacer into the mouth between the teeth with the tongue underneath. And we want to make sure that there is a very good seal. And that the mouth, the lips are closed. Next, we press down on the medicine canister and make sure that you release only one puff of the medication. Now we breath in slowly and deeply, and you want to fill your lungs with as much medication as possible. We take the spacer out of the device, and hold your breath for count a slow count of ten. So, when you are done, take the inhaler out of your mouth, wipe off the mouthpiece and replace the cap. We also want to take the meter dose inhaler out of the aerochamber the spacer, and replace the cap. If you are using an inhaled steroid it is important to rinse your mouth out after using the medication. I am Doctor Peg Strub, Chief of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology at Kaiser Permanente, Northern California and an Assistant clinical Professor at the University of California at San Fransisco.
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