ATS Pulmonary Function Laboratory Manual

chapter  3

3.7. 3.8. 3.9.

Tests performed

Time test scheduled, time patient arrived, and time test completed Patients who cancel, who reschedule and don’t keep appointments.

Laboratory Environment 1. Temperature 1.1.

The temperature must be maintained within the equipment manufacturer’s recommendations (7). 1.2. The ambient temperature should be maintained higher than 17° C for spirometry unless a manufac- turer states that their spirometer will operate accurately at lower ambient temperature (7). 1.3. Record and report ambient temperature to an accuracy of plus or minus 1° C (7). 1.4. The temperature should be maintained at a level consistent with patient comfort. 1.5. Temperature should be measured with a standard thermometer that can be validated for accuracy (5). 1.6. Record daily the temperature of refrigerators that are used for storage of quality control materials or medications (5). A typical acceptable temperature range is 2–8° C. 2. Barometric pressure 2.1. The barometric pressure should be accurately measured and recorded daily and should meet equip- ment and procedure requirements (7). 2.2. The range of acceptable barometric pressure must be specified by the manufacturer for each piece of equipment (7). 3. Humidity 3.1. The humidity should be maintained at a level consistent with patient comfort. 3.3. The humidity must be maintained at a level consistent with appropriate equipment performance. Scheduling of Patients 1. Tests must be ordered by a physician or appropriate personnel (e.g., nurse practitioner or physician assistant). 1.1. Verbal orders will be accepted by appropriate personnel working in physician office practices or clin- ics to schedule outpatients. 1.2. A written order may be required within a specified time frame (e.g., 24 hours) to confirm verbal orders. 1. To improve this process, a predefined ordering sheet or form is usually provided (8). 2. Time constraints 2.1. Laboratory hours of operation: each laboratory should specify their hours of operation. 2.2. The specific time required to complete the test and associated charting according to the current standards of care (i.e., turnaround time). 1. The average time required to perform each test should be defined. The American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) Diagnostic Uniform Reporting Manual (5 th Edition 2012, source available on AARC product website) provides guidance for determining and/or calculating relative value units (RVUs). 2. Pediatric testing generally requires an increase in testing time. The amount of time required generally increases as age decreases. Due to compliance issues with pediatric patients, children should not be scheduled during nap times or following painful tests.

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