Background: Nebulized salbutamol has been the method of choice for treating asthma attacks in children at the Paediatric Emergency Department (PED) in Northern Greece.

Aim: To introduce the administration of bronchodilators via a meter dose inhaler and face mask for the management of mild or moderate asthma attacks, in a Paediatric Emergency Department in 20 Hospitals in Greece, for twelve months.

Methods: Healthcare professionals working at the PED were enrolled. The study included four phases: baseline evaluation and education intervention and re-evaluation/ re-education three, six, and twelve months later. Participants completed a questionnaire on managing asthma exacerbations and an eight?question theoretical test. Practical skills were evaluated by demonstrating IT in all the phases. The education intervention consisted of a personal interview demonstration of IT, a presentation, and the distribution of educational material.

Results: 218 healthcare providers (pediatricians, residents, and nurses) were involved in the baseline assessment and education. In the theoretical questionnaire for asthma attack management, the mean (SD) score at baseline was 61.5(10.5). In the IT evaluation for inhalers through a mask or a mouthpiece, the mean (SD) score was 49.5 (16.3). Twelve months later, all scores improved significantly (p<0.001). In addition, the scores correlated with the number of educational sessions (p<0.01).

Conclusions: Healthcare providers' theoretical knowledge and practical skills in IT are low. Education intervention is a helpful strategy to ameliorate IT among healthcare providers. However, continuous education is needed to increase skills in IT.