These tools will no longer be maintained as of December 31, 2024. Archived website can be found here. PubMed4Hh GitHub repository can be found here. Contact NLM Customer Service if you have questions.


Pubmed for Handhelds

PUBMED FOR HANDHELDS

Search MEDLINE/PubMed

  • Title: Usability and preference of epinephrine auto-injectors: Auvi-Q and EpiPen Jr.
    Author: Kessler C, Edwards E, Dissinger E, Sye S, Visich T, Grant E.
    Journal: Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol; 2019 Sep; 123(3):256-262. PubMed ID: 31228629.
    Abstract:
    BACKGROUND: Despite the importance of prompt epinephrine auto-injector (EAI) treatment during anaphylaxis, proper administration technique is often lacking among patients and caregivers. OBJECTIVE: To compare usability and participant preference of Auvi-Q and EpiPen Jr EAIs in a simulated life-threatening allergic emergency-use scenario. METHODS: In this randomized, crossover, human-factors usability study, untrained adults (18-65 years) were tasked with using 0.15 mg Auvi-Q and EpiPen Jr trainers to simulate epinephrine administration to a child-sized manikin. Only written instructions on the device label and/or device voice instructions were available to participants. Endpoints included completing injection tasks per device instructions (primary endpoint), completing key injection tasks, and participant preference/ratings of devices. Completion of injection tasks were evaluated using a McNemar test for paired dichotomous data. RESULTS: Ninety-six adults were included in study analyses. Significantly more participants completed all injection tasks per device instructions with Auvi-Q (85.4%) vs EpiPen Jr (19.8%; P < .001). Significant differences were also observed for completion of key injection tasks (Auvi -Q, 94.8%; EpiPen Jr, 72.9%; P < .001). No digital/hand injection errors were seen with Auvi-Q, whereas 14 participants (14.6%) would have accidentally received a digital/hand injection with EpiPen Jr (P < .001). Overall, significantly more participants preferred Auvi-Q over EpiPen Jr (91.7% vs 6.3%; P < .001 [2.1% no preference]). Median scores for 8 EAI characteristics were also higher for Auvi-Q vs EpiPen Jr. CONCLUSION: In this study, untrained adults preferred and were more likely to use Auvi-Q correctly vs EpiPen Jr, highlighting the importance of device design for successful epinephrine administration during a life-threatening allergic emergency.
    [Abstract] [Full Text] [Related] [New Search]