Observational study of administering intranasal steroid sprays by healthcare workers

Abstract

Objectives

Patients with allergic rhinitis receive their information about administering intranasal corticosteroid sprays (INCS) from healthcare workers. Since the majority of patients does not administer these sprays correctly, we investigated whether healthcare workers know how to administer INCS.

Settings

We studied participants at their working place: pharmacy, outpatient clinic or general practitioner centre for emergencies.

Participants

Pharmacist assistants, general practitioners, paediatricians and ear nose throat doctors.

Design

Observational study. All the participants demonstrated the administration technique with a spray device filled with water.

Primary outcome

Number of steps of administration of INCS based on the established INCS protocol.

Secondary outcome

Number of five steps are labelled essential to obtain optimal distribution of the medication.

Results

Among the 75 participants, none performed all the steps correctly. The median of correctly performed steps in the protocol was 14 out of 29. A significantly better result was found among the pharmacist assistants. The essential steps were performed by 27 out of the 75 participants (36%).

Conclusion

The majority of healthcare workers does not know how to administer INCS correctly. Patients could, therefore, receive incorrect and non-uniform instructions. The education of healthcare workers on how to administer INCS correctly may be an option for improvement.

Strengths and limitations of this study.

• This is the first study to observe healthcare workers administering intranasal corticosteroid sprays.

• We conducted this study in a small research group, consisting of 75 healthcare workers.

• The administration technique was scored in a simple and robust way by the same investigator.

• We used a protocol for correct administration based on the literature and patient information leaflets, however, not all steps are based on firm scientific evidence.

Introduction

Allergic rhinitis is a common chronic disease, with a prevalence ranging from 10% to 40% worldwide.¹ The disease mostly affects people between 5 and 45 years old, with a peak incidence between 19 and 24 years old.² In addition to allergen avoidance, the management of allergic rhinitis consists of either antihistamines, intranasal corticosteroids or a combination of both.^{3 4} When persistent symptoms occur, intranasal corticosteroid sprays (INCS) are the treatment of choice.^{5 6}

Studies suggest that the administration technique for INCS is associated with efficacy, adverse events and compliance.^{4 7} For example, it was found that the optimal administration technique of INCS is spraying with a contralateral spray technique, pointing the nozzle away from the septum, because spraying towards the septum causes more nosebleeds than the recommended approach.^7–9 Furthermore, the head should be kept in a neutral position, and it is important to breathe in calmly while spraying. This technique provides the best distribution of the medication.^10–12

In a recent study, we observed the method of administration among patients and found that most (94%) did not take their INCS as described in the patient information leaflets (PILs).¹³ Moreover, the available PILs are currently incomplete and non-uniform.¹⁴ Since patients do not only learn from PILs but can also be instructed by healthcare workers, we wanted to know whether they could demonstrate the administration of INCS correctly. As far as we know, this factor has never previously been studied. Therefore, we investigated the knowledge of healthcare workers regarding administering INCS.

Materials and methods

Participants and setting

We performed an observational study in the northern part of the Netherlands. The healthcare workers observed included pharmacist assistants, general practitioners (GPs), paediatricians and ear nose throat (ENT) physicians. Healthcare workers were excluded if they had been practising their profession for less than a year. Paediatricians and ENT physicians from eight hospitals were approached via email. We approached pharmacist assistants from six pharmacies. GPs were approached while working at the GP centre for emergencies based at the Medical Centre Leeuwarden.

Study design

When eligible healthcare workers agreed to participate, a face-to-face interview was conducted. All the participants were aware of the aim of the study. To prevent inter-observer variation, all interviews and observations were performed by the same researcher (MdB).

During the interviews, the healthcare workers answered a questionnaire containing questions about their experiences prescribing INCS and about how they provide patients with information. Then, the healthcare workers were asked to demonstrate the administration technique with a spray device filled with water. The stages assessed were preparation, administration and cleaning of the INCS (box 1). Assessment of the administration technique was based on the established Dutch INCS protocol. During administration, this protocol was used as a scoring sheet, consisting of 29 steps. One point was given each time the participant performed a step correctly. In the INCS protocol, five steps are labelled as essential.¹⁴ These steps are considered as essential because they most influence the distribution and efficacy of the medication. The essential steps include shaking the bottle, blowing or rinsing the nose, directing the nebuliser away from the nasal septum, breathing in while simultaneously squirting a spray of mist and exhaling through the mouth.

Box 1. Assessed steps per stage of the intranasal corticosteroid sprays protocol.

Preparation

• Discuss the purpose and action of the medication.

• Take off the dust cap.

• Firmly shake the bottle.*

• Place forefinger and middle finger on both sides of the nozzle and place thumb underneath the bottle.

• Point the nozzle upwards and away from yourself.

• Squirt a few sprays into the air until you see a cloud of mist.

• Blow the nose or rinse the nose with saline if the nose is clogged.*

Administration

• Place forefinger and middle finger on both sides of the nozzle and place thumb underneath the bottle.

• A. Keep the head upright and place the nozzle in the nose.

  B. Use the right hand for spraying in the left nostril and the left hand for spraying in the right nostril.

• Point the end of the nozzle slightly outwards, away from the centre ridge of the nose.*

• Close the other nostril with your opposite hand.

• Squirt a spray of mist in the nose while breathing in.*

• Breathe out through the mouth.*

• Repeat steps 8 through 13 for the other nostril.

• If two sprays per nostril are prescribed, repeat steps 8 through 14 for both nostrils.

• Replace the dust cap.

Cleaning

• Wipe the nozzle with a tissue or handkerchief after every use.

• Extensively wash the nozzle once a week:

• Take off the dust cap and nozzle.

• Rinse the dust cap and nozzle with warm water.

• Shake off water.

• Air-dry the dust cap and nozzle.

• Replace the nozzle.

• Firmly shake the bottle.

• Squirt a few sprays into the air until you see a cloud of mist.

• Replace the dust cap.

Points for attention

• If the nozzle does not spray properly, perform the cleaning steps. If this does not work, take the spray to the pharmacy. Never puncture the opening.

• Check the expiry date on the package and the expiry date after opening.

*Essential steps.

Statistical analysis

In the statistical analysis, descriptive statistics were used to answer the question of whether healthcare workers know how to administer INCS. For the comparison of outcomes between populations, a Kruskal-Wallis test was used. Post hoc analysis was performed using a Mann-Whitney U test. The regional medical ethics committee approved the study protocol. All the participants provided written consent.

Patient and public involvement

Patients or the public were not involved in the design, or conduct, or reporting or dissemination plans of our research.

Results

In the period between 11 June 2019 and 18 December 2019, 10 ENT departments, seven paediatrician departments and eight pharmacies were asked to participate in this study. GPs were approached at the GP’s emergency centre and asked to participate on the spot. Seventy-five healthcare workers participated in our study (table 1), none of them performed all the steps correctly. The median of correctly performed steps in the protocol was 14 out of 29, with a range between 9 and 24 and an IQR of 3.5. For preparing the spray, the median was six out of seven steps. The median for administering the spray was 8 out of 10 steps and the median for cleaning the spray was 1 out of 10 steps. The points for attention, which are taking the spray to the pharmacy when it does not work and checking the expiry date, were not performed by most participants (figure 1). When analysing the differences in total score between the healthcare workers, a significantly higher result was found among pharmacist assistants compared with the other groups (table 2).

Table 1.

Participant characteristics

Variable	Overall (n=75)
Healthcare worker, n (%)
Pharmacist assistant	20 (26)
General practitioner	20 (26)
Paediatrician	20 (26)
ENT physician	15 (20)
Gender, n (%)
Male	27 (36)
Female	48 (64)
Age (mean), range (95% CI)
	45.2±11
Years of professional practice, n (%)
1–5 years	18 (24)
5–10 years	12 (16)
10–20 years	22 (29)
>20 years	23 (31)
Number of INCS prescriptions per week, n (%)
0 times	20 (27)
<1 time	19 (25)
1–4 times	17 (23)
4–8 times	5 (7)
>8 times	14 (19)
Number of INCS instructions per week, n (%)
<1 time	24 (32)
1–4 times	27 (36)
4–8 times	9 (12)
>8 times	15 (20)
Number of checks on INCS inhalations per week, n (%)
<1 time	62 (83)
1–4 times	15 (14)
4–8 times	2 (3)
>8 times	0 (0)
Use of information material, n (%)
Yes	19 (25)
No	56 (75)

ENT, ear nose throat; INCS, intranasal corticosteroid sprays.

Figure 1.

Median score checklist per stage, per group of healthcare workers. ENT, ear nose throat.

Table 2.

Difference in total score checklist

Healthcare worker	N	Median	Mean	Mean rank	P value between groups*
Pharmacist assistant	20	16	16.2	54.58†	0.001
General practitioner	20	13.5	13.3	30.98
Paediatrician	20	14	13.8	34.85
ENT physician	15	12	13.1	29.47

Tested using Kruskal-Wallis test (post hoc Mann-Whitney U).

*p<0.05.

†Significant difference compared with general practitioners, paediatricians and ENT physicians.

ENT, ear nose throat.

Twenty-seven out of 75 participants (36%) performed all the essential steps. Of the essential steps, nose blowing was performed least frequently, being carried out 46 out of 75 times (61%). Inhaling while squirting a spray of mist into the open nostril was performed most often: 69 out of 75 times (92%). Shaking the bottle was done 61 times (81%). The nozzle was directed outwards 66 times (88%). Exhaling through the mouth was done by 57 participants (76%) (table 3).

Table 3.

Number of well-executed steps protocol

Preparation	n (%)
Discuss the purpose and action of the medication.	75 (100)
Take off the dust cap.	75 (100)
Firmly shake the bottle.*	61 (81)
Place forefinger and middle finger on both sides of the nozzle and place thumb underneath the bottle.	58 (77)
Point the nozzle upwards and away from yourself.	44 (59)
Squirt a few sprays into the air until you see a cloud of mist.	44 (59)
Blow the nose or rinse the nose with saline if the nose is clogged.*	46 (61)
Administration	n (%)
Place forefinger and middle finger on both sides of the nozzle and place thumb underneath the bottle.	60 (80)
A. Keep the head upright and place the nozzle in the nose.	49 (65)
B. Use the right hand for spraying in the left nostril, and the left hand for spraying in the right nostril.	43 (57)
Point the end of the nozzle slightly outwards, away from the centre ridge of the nose.*	66 (88)
Close the other nostril with your opposite hand.	33 (44)
Squirt a spray of mist in the nose while breathing in.*	69 (92)
Breathe out through the mouth.*	57 (76)
Repeat steps 8 through 13 for the other nostril.	75 (100)
If two sprays per nostril are prescribed, repeat steps 11 through 16 for both nostrils.	75 (100)
Replace the dust cap.	75 (100)
Cleaning	n (%)
Wipe the nozzle with a tissue or handkerchief after every use.	38 (51)
Extensively wash the nozzle once a week:	1 (1)
Take off the dust cap and nozzle.	1 (1)
Rinse the dust cap and nozzle with warm water.	4 (6)
Shake off water.	1 (1)
Air-dry the dust cap and nozzle.	1 (1)
Replace the nozzle.	1 (1)
Firmly shake the bottle.	1 (1)
Squirt a few sprays into the air until you see a cloud of mist.	1 (1)
Replace the dust cap.	1 (1)
Points for attention	n (%)
If the nozzle does not spray properly, perform the cleaning steps. If this does not work, take the spray to the pharmacy. Never puncture the opening.	13 (17)
Check the expiry date on the package and the expiry date after opening.	11 (15)

*Essential steps.

Sixteen participants (21%) performed all the preparation steps. The least performed steps during preparation were activating the nozzle by spraying in the air (59%) and blowing or rinsing the nose (61%). Two participants (3%) performed all the administration steps. Squirting the spray while breathing in (92%) and pointing the nozzle outwards (88%) were performed by most participants. The most frequent errors in administration were, in order, keeping the other nostril closed, spraying crosswise and keeping the head upright. These steps were performed 33 times (44%), 43 times (47%) and 49 times (65%), respectively. One participant (1%) performed all the cleaning steps, including cleaning the nozzle with a tissue and extensively cleaning the nozzle with water once a week and allowing it to air-dry. Approximately, half the participants (38; 51%) cleaned the spray with a tissue after every use (table 3).

Discussion

In this study, we found that most healthcare workers involved in the care for patients with allergic rhinitis did not know and could not demonstrate how to administer INCS correctly. None of the healthcare workers performed all the steps of the checklist correctly. The median of the 75 participants was 14 out of 29 well-executed steps. The five essential steps were correctly performed by 27 out of 75 participants (36%). We found that the pharmacist assistants administered the INCS significantly better than the other healthcare workers, suggesting that pharmacist assistants are most suitable for providing information about INCS.

To the best of our knowledge, the role of healthcare workers in informing patients about the correct administration of INCS has never previously been studied. One recent study found that face-to-face instruction, consisting of both verbal information and a physical demonstration, was most effective in teaching the correct technique for asthma medication.¹⁵ This finding may apply regarding the correct usage of INCS as well, meaning that it is important that healthcare workers have sufficient knowledge. Knowledge about inhaler technique for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease has been researched using healthcare workers. These studies reveal similar results to ours; that is, inadequate knowledge regarding the use of inhalers.^{16 17} A recent study found only 12% of healthcare workers knew at least three essential steps of the correct metered-dose inhaler technique, and none of the participants performed all the steps correctly.¹⁸

For the checklist, we used a standardised protocol recently published in Dutch healthcare. Although this protocol is based on the existing literature, a few instruction steps are only marginally substantiated by research data, and we needed to make a few assumptions about the best spray technique (table 4). First, an essential step while preparing for administration is blowing or rinsing the nose. This step is recommended in the literature, although no significantly better distribution of the active substance was found.¹⁹ Approximately 60% of the participants performed this step. Next, it was found that an upright position of the head while spraying proved most effective.^{10 20} Bending the head backwards can result in the active substance leaking into the pharynx, causing irritation and possibly more systemic uptake. When bending the head forward, the active substance could easily run out again. However, 45% of the ENT doctors and 10%–20% of the paediatricians, GPs and pharmacist assistants bent their heads forward while breathing in the spray. Their reasoning was that the nasal cavity runs backwards, causing the spray to be sprayed towards the nasal cavity when the head is bent forward. There is a study that confirms this theory.¹² When administering the nasal spray, the nozzle should be directed away from the nasal septum to prevent nose bleeding and septum perforation. Furthermore, the lateral nasal wall has more cilia than the medial wall, so the distribution of the active substance is better.^{7 9} We found that this essential step was performed correctly by 88% of the participants. It is also advised to use the contralateral hand while spraying, because this causes less mechanical irritation, and, thus, fewer side effects and better compliance.⁷ Approximately half the participants (57%) performed this step. However, not all these participants recommended this step to their patients, because it is relatively complicated to perform. Another essential step is to breathe in slowly during administration, because the airflow ensures a better contribution of the active substance. A continuous, slow flow has the best effect. Breathing hard or sniffing can lead to increased turbulence in the nose, which can cause the active substance to finish in the pharynx.^{11 21} This was the best-performed essential step: 92% of participants performed this correctly. Only one participant stated that the nasal spray should be completely cleaned with water once a week. Since these nasal sprays are used chronically and daily in many cases, good hygiene is important. However, there is no uniform instruction for cleaning the nasal spray in the package leaflets. This lack is a possible explanation why the healthcare workers did not mention this aspect. Considering that there is little substantiated research about the correct administration technique, and since the published INCS protocol is not widely known, healthcare providers apparently provide instructions according to their own insights. Further research is necessary to substantiate the most effective administration technique for nasal sprays. Currently, it is important to implement the presently available instructions to achieve clarity in the instructions for the administration of nasal sprays.

Table 4.

Scientifically and non-scientifically based steps in the corticosteroid nasal spray protocol

Scientifically based steps	Non-scientifically based steps
Blow the nose or rinse the nose with saline if the nose is clogged.19	Firmly shake the bottle.
Keep the head upright.10 20	Squirt a few sprays into the air until you see a cloud of mist.
Use the right hand for spraying in the left nostril and the left hand for spraying in the right nostril.12	Close the other nostril with your opposite hand.
Point the end of the nozzle slightly outwards, away from the centre ridge of the nose.	Breathe out through the mouth.
Squirt a spray of mist in the nose while breathing in.	Wipe the nozzle with a tissue or handkerchief after every use.
	Extensively wash the nozzle once a week.

Strengths and limitations

This study has a couple of limitations. First, we did not know what outcomes to expect, so we chose to conduct this research with a relatively small research group in a particular region.²² Further research must determine to what extent our results apply to other regions and countries. Second, we could only include 15 ENT doctors despite many attempts and visits to their offices. Reasons given were that they were too busy or not interested in participating. Nevertheless, we do not think that the inclusion of five more ENT doctors would affect the outcome significantly. Third, it is possible that healthcare workers only agreed to participate in this study when they felt an affinity with the topic. Greater interest might influence the knowledge of a correct administration technique. Healthcare workers with less affinity would possibly score lower. Given the disappointing results of the studied population, this only highlights the fact that the healthcare workers’ knowledge about the correct administration technique must improve. Finally, we studied the knowledge of healthcare workers, not the actual instruction patients receive from them.

The strengths of this study are as follows: since various hospitals, general practices and pharmacies were included, the results are a good reflection of the population that both prescribes and informs about INCS. All our interviews were conducted by the same researcher, so no interobserver variation occurred. We used a simple scoring system, making the scores less sensitive to errors.

This research only studied healthcare workers’ knowledge of the administration technique. Studying whether the knowledge of a healthcare worker ultimately affects the correct spray technique, and, thus, the efficacy of INCS in patients is recommended.

Conclusion

The majority of healthcare workers does not know how to administer an INCS correctly. This lack of knowledge may prevent them from being able to provide adequate instructions to their patients. Clear arrangements should be made regarding who provides these instructions and what these instructions include. Healthcare workers should continually update their knowledge regarding the correct spray technique. The established INCS protocols can be used to address this issue.