Association for Respiratory Technology and Physiology

Spirometry

Historically, spirometry has been performed by laboratory-based lung function physiologists but in recent years, however, the number of health care professionals performing this relatively simple lung function measurement has increased. A large drive for this has been the recent publication of guidelines for the care of patients with COPD, in addition to those already published for asthma. There has also been a greater emphasis placed by the Department of Health on basic lung function measurements being performed locally, in GP practices and community hospitals. This has meant that GPs, practice-based nurses and healthcare assistants are now being asked to perform this measurement, and unforrtunately the training and support for these groups has not been sufficient to ensure quality measurements and being made and interpreted correctly.

This translates into spirometric measurements being made that often falls below the acceptable standard.

To ensure that patients are appropriately investigated and monitored the Association for Respiratory Technology and Physiology (ARTP) in conjunction with the British Thoracic Society (BTS), through the BTS/ARTP Liaison Committee, has established a qualification to assess the competence of practitioners to perform such measurements.

The ARTP has developed several courses to cater for all practioners hoping to perform and interpret quality spirometry.

Foundation Course in Spirometry

ARTP Certificate in Spirometry

e-Spirometry