Metered-Dose Inhalers vs. Nebulizer Treatment in Healthcare Facilities

Metered-Dose Inhalers vs. Nebulizer Treatment in Healthcare Facilities
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Introduction
Using aerosols as mechanisms for delivery of drugs is a vital part for the treatment of respiratory disorders such as asthma, pulmonary artery hypertension, obstructive lung conditions, and cystic fibrosis. The most commonly used aerosols for delivery of drugs to asthmatic patients include Metered Dose Inhalers (MDIs) and Nebulizers. In the recent past there have been debates concerning Metered Dose Inhalers and Nebulizers. People have got different opinions concerning these two aerosol models concerning which one is more effective than the other. Due to this debate especially between different medical practitioners such as nurses, it is the reason why the topic Metered-Dose Inhalers vs. Nebulizer Treatment in Healthcare Facilities were chosen by this group. They have been mostly compared in terms of cost, effectiveness and convenience. Asthma is a chronic lung disease that is brought by blockage or narrowing of airways hence causing difficulties in breathing and tightening of chest. Asthma is one of the most dangerous disorders that require an immediate response to ensure that airways are kept open because any delay may lead to loss of life. It is this reason why medical experts came up with aerosol models like nebulizer and metered dose inhaler to help keep the airways open (Bisgaard, Nikander & Munch, 2012).
This paper explores comparison of metered dose inhaler and nebulizer in terms of cost, effectiveness, and convenience.
Comparison between Metered Dose Inhalers and Nebulizers
The most preferred method form for medication for asthma is provision of inhalation therapy to the patients. There are two ways by which inhalation therapy can be provided to asthma patients and they include MDIs and Nebulizers. Out of these two, several studies have shown that MDIs are the most effective and affordable as compared to nebulizers especially for delivery of aerosols to asthmatic children who are between one and five years old. Some of the arguments that were labeled against Nebulizers are; they require power, portability not convenient enough, they take more time to react, are quite expensive, need regular maintenance, and require close supervision by the medical practitioner or a nurse. On the other hand, Metered Dose Inhalers are quite easier to use, do not require much time and a lot of effort, there is no need for dose preparation or electricity for delivery, are conveniently portable, are very much affordable and need less medication dosage as compared to nebulizers (Fink et al., 2012).
However, it is important to note Nebulizers are equally effective in the infection control though not as effective as Metered Dose Inhalers. In March 2003, use of nebulizers was blamed for the outbreak of severe acute Respiratory Syndrome in Hong Kong. There are also other hospitals where there is requirement for extra resources in terms of additional costs as well as human resources for the admitted children because there is need for respiratory therapists to monitor treatments. The irony is that, despite all the available facts between MDIs and Nebulizers, nebulizers are still widely being used on the admitted children in vari...