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. 2021 Feb 9;31:5. doi: 10.1038/s41533-021-00218-y

Table 2.

Number (%) of recordings with critical errors (CEs) and types of errors in total and per inhaler device model.

In total Breezhaler and/or Handihaler Diskus (Accuhaler) Easyhaler Genuair and/or Novolizer Turbuhaler Respimat
n Recordings 659 188a 42 84 67b 227 51
 No error 64 (10%) 13 (7%) 1 (2%) 4 (5%) 5 (7%) 33 (15%) 8 (16%)
 ≥1 CE 333 (51%) 68 (36%) 38 (90%) 47 (56%) 35 (52%) 125 (55%) 20 (39%)
 ≥1 non-CE only 262 (40%) 107 (57%) 3 (7%) 33 (39%) 27 (40%) 69 (30%) 23 (45%)
Number of CEs
 1 CE 263 (40%) 46 (24%) 31 (74%) 42 (50%) 31 (46%) 106 (47%) 7 (14%)
 2 CEs 63 (10%) 18 (10%) 7 (17%) 5 (6%) 4 (6%) 18 (8%) 10 (20%)
 3 CEs 7 (1%) 4 (2%) 0 0 0 0 3 (6%)
 4 CEs 0 0 0 0 0 1 (0.4%) 0
Error types
 Not opening the device correctlyc 16 (2%) 1 (0.5%) 0 0 1 (1%) 2 (1%) 12 (24%)
 Errors in dose preparation and loadingc 280 (42%) 39 (21%) 38 (90%) 44 (52%) 34 (51%) 110 (48%) 15 (29%)
 No exhalation before inhalation 429 (65%) 124 (66%) 26 (62%) 55 (65%) 42 (63%) 154 (68%) 28 (55%)
 Exhalation into the device (DPIs only)c 58 (9%) 23 (12%) 4 (10%) 7 (8%) 0 24 (11%) NA
 Not inhaling through mouthc 1 (0.2%) 0 0 0 0 0 1 (2%)
 Errors in inhalation manoeuvrec 57 (9%) 31 (16%) 3 (7%) 1 (1%) 4 (6%) 10 (4%) 8 (16%)
 No breath-holding after inhalation 321 (49%) 155 (82%) 31 (74%) 59 (70%) 44 (66%) 32 (63%)
 Not resuming normal breathing after inhalation 9 (1%) 4 (2%) 0 2 (2%) 1 (1%) 2 (1%) 0
 Empty capsule not removed 52 (8%) 52 (28%) NA NA NA NA NA
 The device is not closed 93 (14%) 24 (13%) 9 (21%) 20 (24%) 10 (15%) 26 (11%) 4 (8%)

DPI dry-powder inhaler device, NA not applicable.

aBreezhaler n = 7, Handihaler n = 179, both n = 2.

bGenuair n = 40, Novolizer n = 23, both n = 4.

cA critical error.