Preventing aspiration incidents: redesigning inhalers for enhanced safety: A case study of coin aspiration

Paul J. Karroum, MD; Inderbir Padda, MD, MPH; Gianpaolo Piccione, DO; Razi Hashmi, MD; Sophia Taik, MD; Anusha Kavarthapu, MD; Bhuvana Tantry, MD; Kevin Villaneuva, MD; Sandra Vandenborn, MD; Juliana Otiwaah, MD; Keith Diaz, MD

Radiology Case Reports (Jun 2024)

Preventing aspiration incidents: redesigning inhalers for enhanced safety: A case study of coin aspiration

Paul J. Karroum, MD,
Inderbir Padda, MD, MPH,
Gianpaolo Piccione, DO,
Razi Hashmi, MD,
Sophia Taik, MD,
Anusha Kavarthapu, MD,
Bhuvana Tantry, MD,
Kevin Villaneuva, MD,
Sandra Vandenborn, MD,
Juliana Otiwaah, MD,
Keith Diaz, MD

Affiliations

Paul J. Karroum, MD: Department of Internal Medicine, Richmond University Medical Center/Mount Sinai, Staten Island, NY, USA
Inderbir Padda, MD, MPH: Department of Internal Medicine, Richmond University Medical Center/Mount Sinai, Staten Island, NY, USA; Corresponding author.
Gianpaolo Piccione, DO: Department of Internal Medicine, Richmond University Medical Center/Mount Sinai, Staten Island, NY, USA
Razi Hashmi, MD: Department of Internal Medicine, Richmond University Medical Center/Mount Sinai, Staten Island, NY, USA
Sophia Taik, MD: Department of Internal Medicine, Richmond University Medical Center/Mount Sinai, Staten Island, NY, USA
Anusha Kavarthapu, MD: Department of Internal Medicine, Richmond University Medical Center/Mount Sinai, Staten Island, NY, USA
Bhuvana Tantry, MD: Department of Internal Medicine, Richmond University Medical Center/Mount Sinai, Staten Island, NY, USA
Kevin Villaneuva, MD: School of Medicine, St. George's University, True Blue, Grenada
Sandra Vandenborn, MD: School of Medicine, St. George's University, True Blue, Grenada
Juliana Otiwaah, MD: School of Medicine, St. George's University, True Blue, Grenada
Keith Diaz, MD: Department of Pulmonary Medicine and Critical Care, Richmond University Medical Center/Mount Sinai, Staten Island, NY, USA

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 19, no. 6
pp. 2531 – 2534

Abstract

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The conventional metered dose inhaler (MDI) has long served as a cornerstone in the management of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), affecting millions annually. Despite its advantages, a persistent challenge is seen in the form of patient education and the unchanged design of these inhalers since their inception in 1956. This lack of progress in MDI design has inadvertently contributed to incidences of foreign body inhalation. In this case presentation we report a 50-year-old male with a past medical history of asthma, who faced an incident of foreign body inhalation with use of his inhaler. The patient aspirated a dime when he administered his inhaler, as it had become lodged in the device's mouthpiece, which was uncapped. This case, like many others, demonstrates the need for innovative changes in MDI inhaler design. While numerous articles or cases concentrate on foreign body removal, the primary objective of this case report is to investigate preventative measures and solutions aimed at averting incidents of inhalation.

Published in Radiology Case Reports

ISSN: 1930-0433 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: United States
LCC subjects: Medicine: Medicine (General): Medical physics. Medical radiology. Nuclear medicine
Website: http://www.journals.elsevier.com/radiology-case-reports/

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Abstract

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