ATS Pulmonary Function Laboratory Manual

chapter  9

Equipment Preparation and Calibration Checks 1. Preparation 1.1. Turn on the equipment and allow adequate warm-up time. 1.2.

Ensure the door seal is leak free each day of use. Describe your leak-assessment procedure, as noted in the operator’s manual. 1.3. Check mouth shutter closing speed and ease of: activation, closure and release. The shutter should not stick or close slowly.

2. Calibration Check (Verification) 2.1.

Equipment calibration should be performed at least once each day before testing patients and every four hours during use (4, 8) 1. Calibration of multiple pressure transducers is necessary. The technologist should use a water ma- nometer (or equivalent method) that is capable of accurately providing a pressure of ±20 cm H 2 O (for calibration of mouth pressure transducer), a 30- to 50-ml sine-wave pump (for calibra- tion of box pressure) and a method for calibration of the flow-sensing device (4). 2. On some systems, the calibration syringe is used to calibrate (verify) flow 2.2. Volume-measuring device calibration verification with a 3.00-L calibrating syringe should be per- formed each day testing is performed (8, 11). 1. The accuracy validation limit for recovered volume is ±3.5% of the syringe standard. Step Action 1. Check patient identification. Ask the patient to state or spell his/her first and last names, and date of birth. Verify the spelling and date of birth against ID band, and/or requisition. IF THEN Patient unable to provide information • Get information from family member or caregiver, if present. • Notify person in charge, if a family member or caregiver is not present to provide the information The identifiers do not match • Contact registration • Resolve discrepancies before proceeding Pre-Test Preparation

Procedure

The ID band is present but not attached to the patient

• Do not proceed. • Notify patient’s nurse or registration desk

2. 3.

Check for a complete physician’s order. Collect and record demographic information.

4. Explain and demonstrate test maneuver and have patient seated comfortably. Advise the patient they will have to remain seated throughout the test. Instruct the patient to keep a tight lip seal and to give maximum effort. A tight-fitting nose clip should be properly in place.

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