Knowledge and Attitudes of Nurses in Spain about Inhaled Therapy: Results of a National Survey.

Background: The main problem with inhalation therapy is incorrect use of inhalers. Nurses' limited knowledge may contribute to this situation. This study aimed to assess the level of knowledge and attitudes of respiratory nurses about inhaled therapy.

Economic Assessment and Budgetary Impact of a Telemedicine Procedure and Spirometry Quality Control in the Primary Care Setting.

Objective: To evaluate the economic impact of a telemedicine procedure designed to improve the quality of lung function testing (LFT) in primary care in a public healthcare system, compared with the standard method.

Materials And Methods: The economic impact of 9,039 LFTs performed in 51 health centers (2010-2013) using telespirometry (TS) compared to standard spirometry (SS) was studied.

Results: TS costs more per unit than SS (€47.

Telemedicine spirometry training and quality assurance program in primary care centers of a public health system.

Background: Forced spirometry is essential for diagnosing respiratory diseases and is widely used across levels of care. However, several studies have shown that spirometry quality in primary care is not ideal, with risks of misdiagnosis. Our objective was to assess the feasibility and performance of a telemedicine-based training and quality assurance program for forced spirometry in primary care.

Vibration response imaging versus perfusion scan in lung cancer surgery evaluation.

Objective: Ventilation/perfusion scan is a standard procedure in high-risk surgical patients to predict pulmonary function after surgery. Vibration response imaging is a technique that could be used in these patients. The objective of our study was to compare this imaging technique with the usual scanning technique for predicting postoperative forced expiratory volume.

Muscle training with repetitive magnetic stimulation of the quadriceps in severe COPD patients.

Background: Previous studies have used electrical neuromuscular stimulation as a physical training method in patients with severe COPD. We introduce the use of the more tolerable magnetic stimulation for the same purpose, investigating the effectiveness of an eight-week protocol.

Methods: Eighteen patients with severe COPD were randomly assigned to a magnetic stimulation training protocol, n=10, FEV(1)=30% (SD: 7) or to parallel clinical monitoring, control group, n=8, FEV(1)=35% (SD: 8).

[Benefits of a home-based pulmonary rehabilitation program for patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease].

Objective: The benefits of a domiciliary program of pulmonary rehabilitation for patients with severe to very severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are uncertain. We aimed to assess the short- and medium-term efficacy of such a program in this clinical setting.

Patients And Methods: Patients with severe COPD (stages III-IV, classification of the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease) and incapacitating dyspnea (scores 3-5, Medical Research Council [MRC] scale) were randomized to a control or domiciliary rehabilitation group.