Pulmonary function testing (PFT) is the most basic and most frequently performed test of pulmonary function. It measures the ability to move air in and out of the lungs. When used appropriately, pulmonary function testing can play an important role in the primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention of respiratory diseases in the workplace.
For primary prevention of respiratory disease, pulmonary function testing can be used in pre-placement and fitness-for-duty examinations of individuals, in situations where:
- Physical demands of a job require a certain level of cardiopulmonary fitness
- Respirator use can impose a significant burden on the cardiopulmonary systems
In secondary prevention of respiratory disease, repeated pulmonary function testing evaluations can be used in medical surveillance programs when workplace exposures puts workers at risk of developing occupationally related respiratory disorders.
Tertiary prevention of respiratory disease, a pulmonary function tests can be used in a clinical evaluation of symptomatic individuals. Many pulmonary diseases manifest themselves as restrictive, obstructive, or combined ventilatory defects.
Parkview Occupational Health has staff trained in NIOSH approved spirometry courses and continues to stay current on changing standards. The competency of all staff is controlled by the Quality and Education Coordinator.
Interpretations are performed by Dr. Mark O’Brien, MD, Parkview Occupational Health medical director. Determination is made where the patient’s pulmonary functions values fall relative to a normal range. The American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine recommends that the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANESIII) equations be used as the reference values. Parkview Occupational Health has each spirometer set with these reference values.
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