![]() After an education-based intervention called “WipeCOPD,” which included monthly continuing education modules and live spirometry training sessions for primary clinicians, those same clinics’ utilization rates rose to 56% and then 82% within nine months. A 2015 study of primary care clinics revealed that only 19% of patients with COPD had undergone spirometry testing. After review, researchers found only 29% of patients had spirometry testing or had results available and 31.6% of the patients diagnosed with COPD were misclassified because the spirometric measurements did not confirm the disease. While the majority of respiratory therapists are well-versed in spirometry and pulmonary function testing, the consistent call remains for greater use and access to the technology in primary care settings.Ī 2016 study assessed the accuracy of diagnoses and utilization of spirometry in multiple primary care clinics. Spirometry is a crucial tool in diagnosing but also managing these diseases. It’s no secret that spirometry testing is underutilized, despite its effectiveness at diagnosing chronic lung diseases like COPD and asthma. ![]() ![]() But can they expand the reach of early spirometry into primary care settings? Small, lightweight, and easily portable, handheld spirometers are becoming more ubiquitous in the industry.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |