Inhaler Technique Check – ICST

QI

Allowing you to achieve incremental and measurable changes to make a real difference to patients

Inhaler Technique Check

Promote the Healthhub apps (Project ONE of TWO)

QI projects are built as a TWO-PART component

Part 1

Setup

Here you set up and understand the project, ensuring you have everything in place to start your project

Part 2

Project

Here you have all the tools and resources to keep track of your progress towards completing the project successfully

Better setup, better success

Setup

Getting started

Getting started

Start by working through the set-up phase of this project, setting yourself a goal according to the time you have available to dedicate to this project, ensuring your team are aware of the project and you have been given the authorisation from your practice manager to complete the project.

Progress through the Set-up phase of your QI project before moving down to the Project phase.

The aim of this QI project

The aim of this Quality Improvement Project is to evidence an inhaler technique check in the last year for 70% or more of people with asthma and/or COPD, with the appropriate SNOMED code in their notes, by November 2021.

This is the first of two projects, which involves targeting all patients on the Asthma and COPD registers and letting them know that the Healthhub apps provides them with virtual action plans, as well as loads of really useful advice on staying well, using their inhalers, monitoring their symptoms, and knowing what to do when their symptoms deteriorate.

Who is this project suitable for?

This QI project is aimed at primary care teams who have a register of COPD patients.

Why is this important?

Data collected from GP practices across Wales suggest that only 44.4% patients on the COPD and Asthma registers have had their inhaler technique checked.

This QI project will ensure that every patient on the Asthma and COPD registers know how to take their inhalers with good technique, and know where to access videos for a refresher of the correct inhaler technique.

What will I get for completing this project?

Good data entry directly improves patient care, which will also help you identify gaps or errors in the patient record or diagnosis.

On completion of this QI project, you will also get a certificate for your work. You will also be able to use this QI project as evidence towards CPD and professional revalidation.

Mark Complete

Readiness

Make sure you have the knowledge and expertise to undertake this project successfully.

If you are confident you have the skills and knowledge to manage a patient with Asthma and COPD, mark this section as complete using the button below.

If you want to check your level of understanding, or need a refresher, check out the associated learning and assessments for this QI project, in line with the All Wales approach.

Mark Complete
Assessments:
Education programmes:
Mark Complete

Your capacity

Capacity is the most important aspect for the successful completion of any project  – ensure you have the capacity, time and ability to complete your project in a suitable timeframe.

Start by outlining how much time you have to commit to this project.

For example: Over the next six weeks, I will commit 30 minutes to completing this project.

And use the calculator provided to check whether you have the capacity to complete the steps.

When will my project start:

When will my project be completed by:

How much time do I have to dedicate to my project each week

Steps

Step 1 - Identify every patient on your Asthma and COPD registers20 minutes
Step 2 - Refer all patients to Healthhub apps 60 minutes
Total Time:80 minutes

Your current capacity


Please complete form to calculate capacity

* use the capacity calculator to edit or update your time frame

Mark Complete

Alignment

In order for your project to get underway and to be successful, your manager(s) will need to understand the importance of the project and agree your time commitment.

Name

Job title

Email

Contact 1 details not complete.

Sent email
Responded and signed off project

Name

Job title

Email

Contact 2 details not complete.

Sent email
Responded and signed off project
Mark Complete

Communication pack

It’s important that your colleagues know about the project.

You may want to include colleagues in the project, and they may need to know about other demands on your time. Let them know that you are focusing on QI with these useful resources.

Resources

NACAP Clinical Audit Report – Wales Primary Care

Communication with colleagues – Presentation template

Mark Complete

Milestone Map

Keep track of your set-up progress and make sure you are on track to getting started with your project with the timeframe you have added in your capacity calculator.

Your Progress

Getting started

Readiness

Your capacity

Alignment

Communication pack

Milestone Map

113

Start Date

Not Set

113

End Date

Not Set

Mark Complete

Project

Project overview

The aim of this QI project

The aim of this Quality Improvement Project is to evidence an inhaler technique check in the last year for 70% or more of people with asthma and/or COPD, with the appropriate SNOMED code in their notes, by November 2021.

This is the first of two projects, which involves targeting all patients on the Asthma and COPD registers and letting them know that the Healthhub apps provides them with virtual action plans, as well as loads of really useful advice on staying well, using their inhalers, monitoring their symptoms, and knowing what to do when their symptoms deteriorate.

A recap on the evidence

Data collected from GP practices across Wales suggest that only 44.4% patients on the COPD and Asthma registers have had their inhaler technique checked.

This QI project will ensure that every patient on the Asthma and COPD registers know how to take their inhalers with good technique, and know where to access videos for a refresher of the correct inhaler technique.

What will I get for completing this project?

Good data entry directly improves patient care, which will also help you identify gaps or errors in the patient record or diagnosis.

On completion of this QI project, you will also get a certificate for your work. You will also be able to use this QI project as evidence towards CPD and professional revalidation.

Instructions

Project steps

Step 1

Identify every patient on the Asthma and COPD registers.

Step 2

Refer all patients to COPDhub or Asthmahub or Asthmahub for parents apps.

Step 1 – Identify your Asthma and COPD registers

Identify every patient on your Asthma and COPD registers.

Step 2 – Promote the Healthhub apps

Using text messages, emails or printed leaflets (linked in the Resources section) to ensure the population of patients with Asthma and COPD on your registers are aware of the Healthhub app as a mechanism for learning more about their lung condition, checking their inhaler technique, monitoring their symptoms for signs of deterioration and a supplementary exercise programme that they can try at home.

Resources

QI Project Printable Instructions

Resources

Attached below are a selection of resources to support you through your project.

Resources

QI Project Printable Instructions

All Wales Adult Asthma Management and Prescribing Guideline

All-Wales COPD Management and Prescribing Guideline (updated November 2023)

Recommended Read and SNOMED codes

Asthmahub for parents: Letter template

COPDhub: Letter template

Asthmahub: Letter template

Asthmahub for parents: Email template

COPDhub: Email template

Asthmahub: Email template

Leaflet: The NHS Wales Respiratory Apps for patients (English and Welsh)

Poster: The NHS Wales Respiratory Apps for patients (English and Welsh)

Facebook cheat sheet: To promote the Healthhub apps

Twitter cheat sheet: To promote the Healthhub apps

Progress

As you complete each step of this project, tick them off.

You should see your progress bars increase as you get closer to your goal.

Steps

Step 1 - Identify every patient on your Asthma and COPD registers
Step 2 - Refer all patients to Healthhub apps

Your current capacity


Please complete form to calculate capacity

* use the capacity calculator to edit or update your time frame

Capacity Calculator

Project data not set. Please complete your project's capacity settings.

Project data not set. Please complete your project's capacity settings.

Certificate

Your dynamic certificate can be found below. You can generate a certificate at any point during your QI project, and the certificate will be updated when you make further progress.

Sign Off

This QI project can be signed off by yourself.

Please sign off by clicking the button below. This will make your certificate available.

Download Certificate

Profile not complete

Your profile is not complete. Please complete your profile.

Complete your profile now

© Institute of Clinical Science and Technology (ICST) 2020

Support: admin@clinicalscience.org.uk