Spirometry is fundamental for lung function assessment of overall pulmonary function. It allows analyzing the impact on lung function caused by various diseases, evaluating the airways’ response to medical treatment, monitoring the disease’s progression, or the outcome of therapeutic interventions, and determining the prognosis for many pulmonary conditions.
As a pulmonary function testing method, spirometry plays a key role in respiratory health evaluation and supports early detection of respiratory diseases.
What is Spirometry in Lung Function Assessment?
This is a question many patients ask when the pneumologist recommends this diagnostic test. As you know, spirometry is a physiological test that measures the maximum volume of air an individual can inhale and exhale with maximum effort. This test measures either volume or airflow in relation to time and is widely used in pulmonary function test for lung disease assessment. The most relevant measurement is Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), which is the volume delivered during an expiration made with the greatest force possible. The test begins by measuring Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second (FEV1), which is the volume exhaled in the first second of an FVC maneuver.
For these and many other reasons, spirometry is a valuable tool. Together with physical examination, symptoms, and the patient’s medical history, it provides important diagnostic information. It also helps clinicians prescribe appropriate treatment and make adjustments to deliver the best possible care.
Who Should Undergo Spirometry for Lung Function Assessment?
The healthcare professional who orders spirometry decides whether to conduct the test based on their assessment of its risks and benefits for the patient. According to the American Thoracic Society1, the following clinical conditions and indications support the use of spirometry for lung function assessment:
The ATS recommends discontinuing spirometry if the patient experiences pain during the maneuver. Despite this precautionary warning, it is worth noting that the test is usually comfortable and safe. A survey conducted in 2018 by the European Lung Foundation, involving 1760 patients who underwent this test (from 52 countries), revealed that 80% found the effort involved in the spirometry maneuver quite acceptable.
In fact, 31% of them stated that blowing until they felt they had no more air was a moderate to serious inconvenience. Therefore, the ATS suggests using a display that shows flow so patients can see their performance during the maneuver. This is something that the LFX software of the ultrasonic spirometer SpiroScout perfectly solves. While the patient performs spirometry, the software displays a candlestick chart that guides them to know if their efforts are sufficient.
Occupational Lung Diseases and Spirometry for Workplace Respiratory Health
Environmental pollution, smoking, and having had COVID are factors that make the majority of adults and children candidates for spirometry to check their lung health. In addition, many people face respiratory risks due to their professional activity. Spirometry for occupational lung health supports preventive screening programs.
Exposure to toxic particles in the workplace causes, aggravates, or exacerbates occupational lung diseases (OLDs). This contributes substantially to individuals developing chronic respiratory diseases.2 Lung function testing for occupational exposure is essential for workplace respiratory risk assessment. According to a review of available medical literature, Blanc et al. summarized the incidence of some of the most common ones as the following image shows: 3
Often, occupational lung diseases are mistakenly attributed to unrelated causes, leading to improper or delayed medical management. Spirometry screening for workers exposed to pollutants allows clinicians to make timely medical decisions.
Benefits of Spirometry Implementation in Clinical Practice
Implementing SpiroScout ultrasonic spirometer in your practice supports spirometry for lung function assessment, helping improve diagnostic accuracy and enable early detection of respiratory diseases. By integrating lung health monitoring with spirometry into routine visits, you can enhance patient outcomes while positively impacting your HEDIS score.
In addition, offering spirometry testing for preventive screening creates new revenue opportunities, allowing you to bill both the consultation and the test.
Why adopt SpiroScout?
- It has an Intuitive and user-friendly interface for easy use.
- No cleaning and maintenance are needed.
- LFX software offers the most accurate and user-friendly program for pulmonary function tests.
- Most of your patients are eligible for a spirometry.
- You can obtain additional CPTs during annual checkups and improve patient care,
- You can recover your investment before seeing a hundred patients.
Watch the video to see how SpiroScout streamlines spirometry in clinical practice and supports accurate lung function assessment.
If you’re ready to enhance care through spirometry in clinical practice, the next step is simple. In the following section, you’ll learn how to evaluate SpiroScout at no cost through the SCHILLER Trial Program.
Â
Experience Advanced Spirometry in Your Practice with the SCHILLER Trial Program
Bringing spirometry for lung function assessment into your daily workflow can transform the way you diagnose, monitor, and prevent respiratory disease. Spirometry screening supports occupational lung disease prevention. This test also enables post COVID occupational lung assessment. Integrating advanced pulmonary function testing strengthens clinical outcomes and preventive care strategies.
The SCHILLER Trial Program allows you to evaluate SpiroScout directly in your practice—without risk. You will receive free remote installation and guided training. You will also have 15 full business days to experience how efficient, calibration-free spirometry can improve your pulmonary function testing workflow and patient care
See the impact for yourself. Elevate your diagnostic capabilities, optimize preventive screening, and make data-driven decisions with confidence. Learn more about the SCHILLER Trial Program and request your free trial today*.
*The program only applies to the United States.
REFERENCES
Â
Frequently Asked Questions About Spirometry for Lung Function Assessment
What is spirometry for lung function assessment used for?
Spirometry for lung function assessment is used to measure how much air a patient can inhale and exhale, as well as how quickly they can expel air from their lungs. It helps clinicians diagnose respiratory diseases, monitor disease progression, and evaluate treatment response in conditions such as COPD, asthma, and occupational lung diseases.
Who should undergo spirometry testing?
Environmental pollution can cause respiratory symptoms in adult and pediatric patients, and spirometry testing helps assess their lung function. It is also indicated for individuals who smoke. In addition, it is recommended for those exposed to occupational hazards such as dust, fumes, or chemicals. Spirometry supports preventive lung health monitoring and post COVID respiratory assessment.
How does spirometry support early detection of respiratory diseases?
Spirometry enables early detection of airflow limitation and restrictive lung patterns before symptoms become severe. Routine spirometry screening helps identify respiratory impairment in high-risk populations, including smokers and workers exposed to airborne contaminants.
Why is spirometry important in occupational health screening?
Spirometry plays a key role in occupational health by detecting work related respiratory diseases caused by long-term exposure to industrial pollutants. Lung function testing for occupational exposure helps clinicians implement timely interventions and monitor employees at risk of developing occupational asthma or other lung conditions.
How does calibration-free spirometry improve clinical workflow?
Calibration-free spirometry systems reduce setup time and eliminate the need for daily calibration procedures. This improves pulmonary function testing workflow efficiency, allowing healthcare providers to perform more spirometry tests during routine visits while maintaining compliance with ATS/ERS standards.