Metered dose inhalers (MDI) (1029)
Key points below
For patients with a tracheostomy tube
What is a Metered Dose Inhaler (MDI) used for?
An MDI is used to treat wheezing or to give corticosteroids. It can be used while traveling or when the nebulizer machine cannot be used. You may also hear this referred to as an inhaler.
What supplies are needed?
- Manual Resuscitator bag
- AeroChamber mini™
- Meter dose inhaler
- Oxygen (if it is ordered)
What are the steps for using a MDI?
- Connect the manual resuscitator bag to the end with the canister. If your child uses oxygen, you may hook up oxygen to your bag as you would when you give breaths.
- Shake the MDI canister before using.
- If new, or not used in a while, prime the MDI by spraying 4 times into the air.
- Put the MDI canister into canister Port.
- Put the other end of the chamber on your child's trach tube.
- After your child exhales, press the MDI canister down to give one puff.
- While your child breathes in, squeeze the manual resuscitator bag. Give your child 2 to 5 deep breaths with the bag.
- Take the Chamber off your child's trach tube.
| If your child… | Then… |
| Uses oxygen |
|
| Does not use oxygen | Continue to step 9. |
9. Repeat steps 4 through 7 for each puff ordered.
Special directions
- Suction your child before giving the MDI.
- The chamber is ordered through your durable medical equipment (DME) provider, not the pharmacy.
- If using more than one respiratory medication (nebulizer or MDI), refer to the order of medications teaching sheet. Adjust if additional medications are temporarily added such as antibiotics.
- Replace the equipment as directed by your home healthcare company.