I am thinking that maybe we, as a community, should look at how we are communicating what Albuterol Sulfate is used for and when to use it.
I am bringing this up because my 83 yr old mother took a train from Ga to NYthe first week of Dec. It was very cold. She said air hurt her lungs. She came home sick. On the Train home, she has asthma too, she called not feeling well. I ask her if she has her portable jet nebulizer with her and Albuterol with her. After all, that's what I bought it for. No, she didn't. She said, I only have my RESCUE INHALER, with me. I said mom, that's the same thing, you need to do two puffsnow and every 4 hrs til you get home in two days. She didn't have steroids, so I told her to use inhaler every 4-6 hrs while awake. To keep your lungs open mom, go to hospital if you need too. Then, mom said Debbie that's a rescue inhaler. I am breathing, I said mom, you ate short of breath, I can hear you. She finally agreed, but I don't think I ever made her understand, it is also a treatment during an attack. Mom has had antibiotics, steroids and breathing treatments, flu and covid test were negative, dr did chest xray yesterday. Negative for pneumonia. She goes back tomorrow to Dr. I had Nursing come to my house today for a supervisory visit, as I just got out of ICU with respiratory and heart failure. The nurse is going over things to watch for, and she says and use your rescue inhaler in an emergency. A ft in front of her, is a jet nebulizer on table by my bed. I reminded her I was on Albuterol breathing treatments every 4hr-6 hrs while awake. And she said ok use the rescue inhaler for an emergency. She never understood the confusing message she was giving and receiving. Albuterol Sulfate is rescue and a breathing treatment. Jet Nebulizer gets the medicine deeper in the lungs. It's a mist you breathe in. Not 2 puffs. I think that they believe it is 2 different meds. Not 1 med used 2 different ways .
Thanks for your thoughts.