The pediatric pharmacy team at Surrey Memorial Hospital implemented a safe Ipratropium inhaler reuse program after recognizing that most inhalers were being discarded after only a few doses, despite containing substantial remaining medication. The pediatric emergency department alone uses about 1,200 ipratropium inhalers per year; staff collected over 1,000 partially used inhalers before the project began.
This step-by-step guide was developed by the Critical Air Project, led by Dr. Valeria Stoynova and Dr. Celia Culley at Island Health in Victoria, British Columbia. The steps in this guide are contextualized by the worked examples and recommendations from the Critical Air Project team.
The steps in this guide are contextualized by the worked examples and recommendations from the Critical Air Project team. Use the Notes section to brainstorm who to engage, ideas for action, and to check off completed steps
The Playbook provides background information and resources to guide more environmentally sustainable inhaler prescribing in primary care settings. This playbook was initially developed through an initiative of the Sustainable Health System Community of Practice (CoP), with support from CASCADES.
The steps in this guide are contextualized by the worked examples and recommendations from the Critical Air Project team. Use the Notes section to brainstorm who to engage, ideas for action, and to check off completed steps.
A resource for patients on using their inhaler correctly to ensure that their treatment is the most effective, that they use the inhaler in its entirety, and if they are using an aerosol inhaler, prevent the release of aerosol into the air.
