The National Asthma Council has released an updated set of resources to guide primary healthcare professionals in performing and interpreting spirometry.
The update to the Spirometry Handbook for primary care builds on essential knowledge for health professionals performing the important lung function test while diagnosing and monitoring lung conditions.
First published in 1995, the Spirometry Handbook provides a trusted source of information for healthcare professionals, including nurses.
The 2020 edition, reviewed by a multidisciplinary working group to ensure information reflects international standards and current practice, and endorsed by the Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand, is available to download for free from the National Asthma Council’s website.
As part of the update, the National Asthma Council has also provided advice for practitioners performing spirometry during the COVID-19 pandemic within its Australian Asthma Handbook.
“Practitioners should take precautions during this time, as spirometry could potentially spread infected aerosol bourne droplets into the surrounding air and onto surfaces,” National Asthma Council and Respiratory Educator Marg Gordon said.
“Spirometry should be avoided in patients who are febrile or have an escalating acute respiratory condition. Recommendations are to make sure the spirometer has an inline filter and to follow strict infection control measures even when performing spirometry on well people.”
Health professionals can download free copies of the National Asthma Council’s full suite of spirometry resources by clicking here.
Visit the Australian Asthma Handbook for more information about spirometry and managing asthma during COVID-19.
