The SCORES Study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A study to identify the prevalence of device specific errors in inhaler technique in adults with airways disease
IRAS ID
264165
Contact name
Anoop Chauhan
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 5 days
Research summary
Some prescribed respiratory drugs can be delivered straight into the lungs using a device called an inhaler. This means that the respiratory medication is delivered straight to the lungs where it can work effectively and quickly. Delivering the medication this way means the patient experiences less potential side effects. Each device delivers a measured dose of a specific prescribed medication, but how well these medications are delivered relies on the users’ ability to use the inhaler effectively. Studies show that up to 92% of people do not use their inhalers properly, and therefore don’t receive the correct dose of medication. These are called inhaler technique errors. This study will observe the inhaler technique of people using 13 different inhaler types, and record any technique errors being made against checklists developed for each inhaler device based on their manufacturer’s guidelines. Observation and correction of inhaler technique by healthcare professionals (HCP) is advised in the national and worldwide guidelines, and should be performed at every opportunity to ensure that optimum inhaled treatment is being achieved by the user. This study will deliver greater understanding of which technique errors are most frequently made, by people using the 13 different inhaler types being observed in this study.
REC name
South Central - Hampshire A Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/SC/0286
Date of REC Opinion
2 Aug 2019
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion