ATS Pulmonary Function Laboratory Manual

ATS Pulmonary Function Laboratory Management & Procedure Manual

3rd Edition

Preface

The idea for this work originated in the American Thoracic Society (ATS) Committee on Proficiency Standards for Clinical Pulmonary Function Laboratories in the 1990’s. The first edition was published in 2001, and the second edition in 2004 when the new ATS/ERS recommendations were completed. Since it has been 10 years since the second edition was published, a new update is warranted. The primary purpose of the ATS Pulmonary Function Laboratory Management and Procedure Manual (ATS Manual) is to provide a tool to help laboratories develop their own pulmonary function laboratory procedure manual. The ATS Manual can be used as-is, or as a template to customize a manual for your laboratory. It is the hope that this tool will also help maximize the accuracy and precision of pulmonary function laboratory data as well as help laboratories improve efficiency and management techniques. The third edition of the ATS Manual maintains the same general philosophy and purpose as previous editions and has been updated to include the latest ATS/European Respiratory Society (ERS) recommendations. The basic organization of the content has been maintained, but the format has been modified to reflect the new recommenda- tions from the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) QM SO2-A6, 6 th Edition. The first five chapters present methods and procedures for the administrative aspects of managing a laboratory. Chapters 6–19 present procedural information on commonly performed pulmonary function tests. Chapter 20 presents information on reference equations and interpretation guidelines, and Chapter 21 contains useful equations and tables. Most of the material presented here applies to both adult and pediatric pulmonary function laboratories. Where modification of procedures or standards is required, these are specified throughout the Manual. In general, pulmo- nary function laboratories serving a primarily adult population can perform satisfactory testing on patients in the teenage years, depending on individual maturity, and with attention to age-appropriate reference data. For children of elementary age, appropriate laboratory environment, pediatric-specific protocols, and technicians experienced, comfortable, and competent in working with children are required. Testing of preschool children is best performed in highly specialized pulmonary function laboratories. The majority of chapters in this third edition were written by Jack Wanger, M.Sc., RRT RPFT FAARC. Chapters 2–6 were written by Carl D. Mottram, B.A., RRT RPFT FAARC. All chapters were then critically reviewed by the members of the ATS Proficiency Standard for Clinical Pulmonary Function Laboratories Committee. The members of the Committee in 2014 included: Bruce H. Culver, M.D., Chair; Allan L. Coates, M.D.; Brian L. Graham, Ph.D.; Teal S. Hallstrand, M.D., M.P.H.; John L. Hankinson, Ph.D.; David A. Kaminsky, M.D.; Neil R. Maclntyre, M.D.; Meredith C. McCormack, M.D., M.H.S.; Jack Wanger, M.Sc.; Margaret Rosenfeld, M.D.; and Daniel J. Weiner, M.D. The expectation is that this work will be updated periodically. With that in mind, we ask that you send correc- tions, suggestions, and comments for future editions to: American Thoracic Society, 25 Broadway, 18 th Floor, New York, New York, 10004, Attention: Barbara Horner, bhorner@thoracic.org. © 2016 AmericanThoracic Society www.thoracic.org

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