Using an AeroChamber® with Inhaled Medication

Many medicines are available as inhaled treatments. Inhaled methods deliver medicine directly to the airway, which is helpful for lung diseases. The patient and healthcare provider can choose from a variety of delivery systems for inhaling medication.

The metered dose inhaler (MDI) consists of a pressurized canister of medicine in a plastic case with a mouthpiece. The AeroChamber® consists of a plastic tube with a mouthpiece, a valve to control mist delivery and a soft sealed end to hold the MDI. The holding chamber assists delivery of medicine to the small airways in the lungs. This increases the medicine's effectiveness. Its portable size, efficiency and convenience make the MDI a desirable method for inhalation treatment.

Transcript

This device is called an Aerochamber. The Aerochamber is a type of holding chamber. A holding chamber is often used with a Metered-Dose Inhaler. It can be difficult to use a Metered-Dose Inhaler correctly. The holding chambers is helpful for people who have a hard time coordinating the actuating of the inhaler and inhaling the medication.

The Metered-Dose Inhaler often needs to be primed before using the first dose. Priming is simply spraying a number of doses into the air. Check the package insert that comes with the inhaler to see how to prime that inhaler.

When you’re ready to take a dose of the medication, remove the caps from the inhaler and from the Aerochamber. Look for foreign objects in the inhaler and the Aerochamber. Put the inhaler mouthpiece into the wider, rubber-sealed end of the Aerochamber. Shake the inhaler and Aerochamber well. Gently breathe out, seal your lips around the mouthpiece, press the inhaler once, inhale slowly and deeply. Hold your breath for as long as you can or up to 10 seconds. Repeat for each dose you have been told to take.

Let me show you what that should look like. So when you start out, take the caps off the inhaler and the Aerochamber. Check your devices – make sure there’s nothing in there and then put your Metered-Dose Inhaler into the Aerochamber with the wide rubber end. Give them a shake. [Breathes, inhales, holds breath, exhales] Now repeat that if you were told to take another dose.

To find out when your inhaler is empty, check the metal canister of the Metered-Dose Inhaler to see how many puffs are in the inhaler. There are more puffs of propellant in the inhaler than puffs of medication so it’s important to stop using the inhaler when you run out of medication. Don’t wait until you run out of propellant. You will need to keep track of how many puffs you are using to get a new device before you finish the current device.

Clean the Aerochamber weekly. To clean the Aerochamber, take off the rubber-sealed end of the Aerochamber, soak the Aerochamber and that rubber end in warm water with liquid detergent. Move both pieces around gently in the water. Do not put the Aerochamber in a dishwasher. Rinse the Aerochamber and the rubber end with clean water. Shake off the excess water. Air dry both pieces standing up until they’re completely dry. Do not rub the inside of the Aerochamber. Replace back the rubber piece.

Check the package insert to find out how to clean the Metered-Dose inhaler. This varies depending on the medication in the Metered-Dose inhaler. Keep the cap on the Aerochamber and the Metered-Dose inhaler after each use to help it stay clean.

How to Assemble the AeroChamber®

Remove the caps from the mouthpiece on the inhaler and on the AeroChamber®. Look for foreign objects in the AeroChamber®.
Put the inhaler mouthpiece into the wider rubber-sealed end of the AeroChamber®.
Shake the inhaler and AeroChamber®. This mixes the medication properly.

Taking an Inhaled Treatment

Gently breathe out.
Put the mouthpiece in your mouth between your teeth and close your lips around it.
Press the inhaler once. The medication will be delivered into the AeroChamber®.
Breathe in slowly and deeply over 3 - 5 seconds. If you breathe in too fast, the AeroChamber® may whistle.
Hold your breath for up to ten seconds. This allows the medication time to deposit in the airways.
Resume normal breathing.
Repeat steps 1 - 6 when more than one puff is prescribed.

Cleaning and Care for the Aerochamber®

Clean the AeroChamber® once a week or sooner if needed. Regular cleaning will prevent powder accumulation inside the AeroChamber®.
Remove the back rubber piece for the AeroChamber®. Note: If you have an AeroChamber Max you will also need to remove the mouthpiece attachment.
Soak the parts for 15 minutes in luke warm water with liquid detergent. Move gently in the water. Rinse in clean water.
- OR -
Place the Aerochamber® in the dishwasher on the top rack. The dishwasher water temperature should be less than 158 degrees.
Shake off excess water. Do not rub dry.
Air dry in a vertical position.
Replace the back rubber piece when the unit is completely dry and ready for use.

Note: The Aerochamber® should not be boiled or sterilized.

This information has been reviewed and approved by Ann Mullen, RN, CNS, MSN, AE-C (October 2014)