Peak Flow Meter is a Self assessment tool that can be used by patients at home to monitor Asthma and when to seek medical advise:
*Action plan for asthma patients to keep a check and prevent future asthma attacks is prescribed by a health care provider.
What is a peak flow meter?
A peak flow meter is a small hand-held device that measures how well air moves out of your lungs. It does this by measuring how fast you can blow air out of your lungs. It is a way to tell how well you are breathing. Peak flow readings can tell you if your asthma is in good control, if you need to take medicine, or if you need to get help right away.
One type of peak flow meter has a sliding marker that moves as you blow air forcefully into the device. At the end of a forceful breath, the marker stops at a place on a numbered scale that measures the amount of air you breathed out. The numbered scale usually ranges from 0 to 750.
Digital peak flow meters record each reading in the device. This should not replace using a chart to record your peak flow readings. Some units also display "traffic light" colored peak flow zones based on your personal best peak flow reading. An added benefit is that some digital peak flow meters also measure FEV1 (the amount of air blown out in the first second). Some devices have the ability to electronically transmit results to your healthcare provider. This can make it easier to track and compare readings.
There are several different types of peak flow meters, so for accurate readings, it is very important to understand how your healthcare provider wants you use your peak flow meter and to follow his or her instructions carefully. It is also important to use the same peak flow meter for the readings.
What does the readings inform?
In general, if you have a peak flow that is 80% (or better) of your personal best, it means that your asthma is under control. A number between 50% and 80% of your personal best means that you need to take a quick-relief medicine. Lower than 50% means that you are not breathing as well as you should be. If you are having symptoms of shortness of breath, wheezing, and coughing spells, you need to take your quick-relief medicine right away and get more help from your healthcare provider.
If your peak flow is low, but you feel fine, take the peak flow test again, making sure you are blowing hard into the meter.
How is the peak flow meter used?
Each brand of peak flow meter works a little differently. Carefully read and follow the instructions included with your meter. Make sure your child tries to do the test correctly. You will not get an accurate reading if you do not give your best effort.
General instructions are:
1.Place the mouthpiece on the peak flow meter. (Some meters have different sizes of mouthpieces for younger and older children and some do not have mouthpieces at all.)
2.Place the marker at the bottom of the numbered scale (zero or the lowest number on the scale).
3.Hold the peak flow meter upright, being careful that fingers do not block the opening.
4. stand up and take the biggest, deepest breath as much as you can with mouth open. Place the mouthpiece into the mouth beyond the teeth and make a tight seal around the mouthpiece with lips. Be sure that the tongue does not block the opening of the mouthpiece.
5.Blow out as hard and fast you can. (If you coughed or made a mistake, do not record the number. Do it over again.)
6.Take the mouthpiece out of mouth. The marker will have moved up the scale and stopped at the point that is the peak flow measurement. Write down the number.
Repeat this procedure 2 more times. Write down each number and circle the highest reading from the 3 tries. Record the date and time of day with this number.
When and how should the peak flow meter be cleaned?
The mouthpiece of the meter should be cleaned weekly with warm soapy water. Rinse and dry it well.
Developed by RelayHealth.
*Action plan for asthma patients to keep a check and prevent future asthma attacks is prescribed by a health care provider.
What is a peak flow meter?
A peak flow meter is a small hand-held device that measures how well air moves out of your lungs. It does this by measuring how fast you can blow air out of your lungs. It is a way to tell how well you are breathing. Peak flow readings can tell you if your asthma is in good control, if you need to take medicine, or if you need to get help right away.
One type of peak flow meter has a sliding marker that moves as you blow air forcefully into the device. At the end of a forceful breath, the marker stops at a place on a numbered scale that measures the amount of air you breathed out. The numbered scale usually ranges from 0 to 750.
Digital peak flow meters record each reading in the device. This should not replace using a chart to record your peak flow readings. Some units also display "traffic light" colored peak flow zones based on your personal best peak flow reading. An added benefit is that some digital peak flow meters also measure FEV1 (the amount of air blown out in the first second). Some devices have the ability to electronically transmit results to your healthcare provider. This can make it easier to track and compare readings.
There are several different types of peak flow meters, so for accurate readings, it is very important to understand how your healthcare provider wants you use your peak flow meter and to follow his or her instructions carefully. It is also important to use the same peak flow meter for the readings.
What does the readings inform?
In general, if you have a peak flow that is 80% (or better) of your personal best, it means that your asthma is under control. A number between 50% and 80% of your personal best means that you need to take a quick-relief medicine. Lower than 50% means that you are not breathing as well as you should be. If you are having symptoms of shortness of breath, wheezing, and coughing spells, you need to take your quick-relief medicine right away and get more help from your healthcare provider.
If your peak flow is low, but you feel fine, take the peak flow test again, making sure you are blowing hard into the meter.
How is the peak flow meter used?
Each brand of peak flow meter works a little differently. Carefully read and follow the instructions included with your meter. Make sure your child tries to do the test correctly. You will not get an accurate reading if you do not give your best effort.
General instructions are:
1.Place the mouthpiece on the peak flow meter. (Some meters have different sizes of mouthpieces for younger and older children and some do not have mouthpieces at all.)
2.Place the marker at the bottom of the numbered scale (zero or the lowest number on the scale).
3.Hold the peak flow meter upright, being careful that fingers do not block the opening.
4. stand up and take the biggest, deepest breath as much as you can with mouth open. Place the mouthpiece into the mouth beyond the teeth and make a tight seal around the mouthpiece with lips. Be sure that the tongue does not block the opening of the mouthpiece.
5.Blow out as hard and fast you can. (If you coughed or made a mistake, do not record the number. Do it over again.)
6.Take the mouthpiece out of mouth. The marker will have moved up the scale and stopped at the point that is the peak flow measurement. Write down the number.
Repeat this procedure 2 more times. Write down each number and circle the highest reading from the 3 tries. Record the date and time of day with this number.
When and how should the peak flow meter be cleaned?
The mouthpiece of the meter should be cleaned weekly with warm soapy water. Rinse and dry it well.
Developed by RelayHealth.
No comments:
Post a Comment