Inhaler Technique Score Calculator

Correct technique assessment by inhaler device type.

Device Type

Remove Cap / Load Dose

Shake / Prime

Exhale Before Inhaling

Proper Lip Seal

Coordinate Press & Inhale

Proper Inhalation

Breath Hold 5-10s

Wait 30-60s Between Puffs

Tab to move between fields

Technique Score (%)

100%

Steps Correct8

Total Steps8

Critical Errors0

Grade (0=Poor to 3=Excellent)3

Est. Drug Delivery (%)20%

How to Use This Calculator

Select your inhaler device type (pMDI, DPI, pMDI + Spacer, or SMI).
Rate each technique step as correct or incorrect: cap removal / dose loading, shake or prime, exhale before inhaling, lip seal, coordinating the press with inhalation, inhalation quality, breath-hold, and waiting between puffs.
Review your technique score (%), steps correct out of the total for your device, and the number of critical errors.
Read the help text for each step to identify and correct technique errors.
Check the grade and estimated drug delivery (%) -- poor technique lowers lung deposition, so review results with a pharmacist or respiratory therapist.

What each input means

Device Type: Select inhaler device type.
Remove Cap / Load Dose: Correctly removed cap and prepared device for use.
Shake / Prime: Shook inhaler (pMDI) or primed device appropriately.
Exhale Before Inhaling: Exhaled fully away from mouthpiece before inhalation.
Proper Lip Seal: Sealed lips tightly around mouthpiece.
Coordinate Press & Inhale: Pressed canister at start of slow deep inhalation (pMDI/SMI).
Proper Inhalation: Slow deep breath (pMDI) or quick forceful breath (DPI).
Breath Hold 5-10s: Held breath for 5-10 seconds after inhalation.
Wait 30-60s Between Puffs: Waited 30-60 seconds before next puff if applicable.

Technique Score (%): Percentage of inhaler steps performed correctly.
Steps Correct: Number of steps performed correctly.
Total Steps: Total critical steps for this device type.
Critical Errors: Number of critical errors that significantly reduce drug delivery.
Grade (0=Poor to 3=Excellent): 0 = Poor (<50%), 1 = Fair (50-74%), 2 = Good (75-89%), 3 = Excellent (90-100%).
Est. Drug Delivery (%): Estimated percentage of drug reaching the lungs based on technique quality.

Identify Input Parameters
4 parameters
Device Type = 0, Remove Cap / Load Dose = 1, Shake / Prime = 1, Exhale Before Inhaling = 1 = 9 input(s) provided
Calculate Technique Score
100 = 100
Calculate Steps Correct
8 = 8
Calculate Total Steps
8 = 8