| Southern Region Respiratory Service (SRRS) provides a range of lung function tests* to assess, monitor and subsequently manage the health of your pulmonary system.
Lung function tests must be requested by your doctor using the SRRS appointment form:
Spirometry Test
Spirometry, is the measurement of how much you can breathe in and out. It is a common lung function test. It measures the amount of inhaled and exhaled air both slowly and quickly using a device called a spirometer. Spirometry is an important test used to assess such conditions as asthma, COPD, pulmonary fibrosis and cystic fibrosis.
The test may be repeated up to 3 times in order to get the best result.
Special Requirements:
- No Ventolin / Bricanyl / Atrovent for 4 hours prior to test
- No Seretide / Serevent / Spiriva / Symbicort for 12 hours prior to test
Diffusing Capacity Test
The diffusing capacity test is used to assess the ability of your lungs to transfer oxygen into your blood stream. It is commonly performed after a spirometry and involves inhaling a test gas into your lungs and holding your breath for approximately 8 seconds.
The change in the concentrations of the gases is used to measure the effectiveness of the diffusing capacity of your lungs.
Special Requirements:
- No smoking for 4 hours prior to test
- It is recommended that you avoid having a heavy meal 2 to 3 hours before the test
Skin Prick Testing
A skin prick test is used to determine if you are allergic to substances such as animal danders (shed skin), house dust mites, grass pollens and some foods.
One drop of each allergen is placed onto your forearm and each of the drops is pricked. An allergic reaction will often be signified by slight swelling, redness and some irritation around the prick.
Special Requirements:
- No antihistamine for 3 days prior to the test
Bronchial Provocation Challenge Test – (Aridol mannitol)
A bronchial-provocation challenge test measures how sensitive your airways are by taking a small dose of a drug (Aridol mannitol) that causes your airways to narrow slightly.
A spirometry test is used to measure your breathing before and after the bronchial-provocation challenge test is performed.
Special Requirements:
- This test is only available after a discussion with one of the SRRS physicians or practice manager
Maximal Inspiratory & Expiratory Muscle Pressures
This test measures the amount of pressure your inspiratory and expiratory muscles can exert and is helpful in evaluating possible weakness in those muscles.
The test involves you inhaling and exhaling against a shutter to measure muscle strength and may be repeated up to 3 times to get a good measurement.
Oxygen Saturation Monitoring
An estimate of your oxygen saturation is measured with a clip (pulse oxymetry) that fits on to your finger. This clip shines a light through one side of your finger and a detector measures the light that comes through the other side.
The pulse oxymetry estimates your oxygen saturation because blood cells that are saturated with oxygen absorb and reflect light differently than those that are not.
* The Frankston Laboratory provides Spirometry and Diffusing Capacity Tests only. |
