Peak flow measurement: Take a breath for quality improvement

<bold>Background:</bold> Peak flow is a measurement of how fast you can blow air out of your lungs. This gives information about the degree of airway narrowing in asthma disease and monitoring. <bold>Aims:</bold> To identify factors that inhibit or facilitate the use of peak flow meters in asthma patients during hospitalization from August till December 2023 at Whipps Cross Hospital, Barts Health NHS, London. <bold>Methods:</bold> 6-sigma and PDSA methodology was utilized as a part of the quality improvement project. 20 patients were sampled (mean age 50.5 years) on respiratory wards, acute and emergency units. Outcome measures were the availability of peak flows at the bed site, the accuracy of documentation of peak flow readings, inhalation technique and the factors limiting usage. <bold>Conclusions:</bold> 40% of patients did not have peak flow meters and 60% of them knew how to use a peak flow with good technique. Only 15% of asthma patients had documented meter readings three times a day. Half of the patients had no paper chart or online prescription. These results provide an opportunity for targeted interventions via online prescribing, raising awareness through posters and staff education, increasing stock availability. <fig><object-id>erj;64/suppl_68/PA3963/F1</object-id><object-id>F1</object-id><object-id>F1</object-id><graphic></graphic></fig> <fig><object-id>erj;64/suppl_68/PA3963/F2</object-id><object-id>F2</object-id><object-id>F2</object-id><graphic></graphic></fig>