Inhalert

Inhalert is a term used in medical technology to describe alerting and monitoring features associated with inhaled medications. It refers to systems that track when a patient actuates an inhaler and may deliver reminders or notify caregivers or clinicians about use patterns. Inhalert can refer to both hardware and software components, including smart inhalers with built-in sensors, mobile applications, and cloud-based dashboards used to visualize data.

Function and components: Inhalert systems typically combine a physical sensor that detects inhaler actuation or dose delivery with a communication module to transmit data to a smartphone app or electronic health record. They may provide real-time alerts to patients (missed-dose reminders, technique guidance) and generate usage reports for clinicians. Some implementations include dose counters, inhalation technique feedback, and refill prompts.

Applications and benefits: Clinically, Inhalert aids in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease management by improving adherence, enabling time-based analyses, and supporting treatment decisions. In research, anonymized usage data can contribute to studies of adherence, inhaler technique, and outcomes.

Challenges and standards: Data privacy and security, interoperability, and cost considerations influence adoption. Systems vary in data formats and integration capabilities, and there is no single universal standard for Inhalert data. Adoption is shaped by regulatory environments and reimbursement models in different regions.

History and terminology: The concept of alerting within inhaler devices emerged with the broader rise of digital and connected inhalers in the 2010s and 2020s. The term inhalert appears in some marketing materials and scholarly discussions as a shorthand for alerting functionality, but it is not a standardized term across the field.

See also: digital inhaler, connected inhaler, smart inhaler, adherence monitoring, inhaler reminder.