Reducing the risk: the use of placebo respiratory equipment in clinical practice

Abstract

Placebo respiratory devices, such as inhalers, large volume spacers and peak flow meters provide reli able methods of teaching patients effective drug able methods of teaching patients effective drug delivery techniques and monitoring compliance and treatment progress. Concern has been raised that using such demonstration devices on more than one person may expose patients to the risk of cross-infection with pathogenic organisms. The lack of regulation and guidance on the use and decontamination of placebo devices prompted us to complete a risk assessment, examining the likelihood and consequence of acquisition of pathogens and resultant illness in our respiratory patient group.