Spirometry in Practice Introduction

There are around 3 million COPD sufferers in the UK, of which 2 million have yet to be diagnosed (Health Commission, 2006). The prevalence of chronic respiratory disease is increasing, therefore early acute accurate diagnosis is essential. Early diagnosis enables prompt delivery of health advice, support and treatment. Spirometry is the cornerstone of respiratory disease diagnosis.

During this workshop, you will gain an understanding of:

• Spirometry standards
• The principles underlying spirometry
• Patient preparation
• Differentiating between normal from abnormal results (including technical errors)
• The flow/volume trace
• Identifying common trace errors

Aims
You will take away an increased understanding of the theory underpinning spirometry and will be taught how to perform it accurately. You will understand the key principles regarding patient preparation for the procedure, interpreting results and identifying common errors.
Learning will be shared with other practitioners, using spirometry equipment and reviewing both obstructive and restrictive spirometry results.