ATS Pulmonary Function Laboratory Manual

ATS Pulmonary Function Laboratory Management & Procedure Manual | 3rd Edition

3.

Variables that can affect patient scheduling. 3.1.

Availability of equipment required to perform the testing Number of technologists required for testing

3.2. 3.3.

Patient convenience 1. Travel distance 2. School schedules

3.4. Potential infection control issues 1. Follow Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines for PF testing (9). 2. Cystic fibrosis (CF) patients who are Pseudomonas cepacia positive should not be scheduled on the same day as other CF patients. a. If it is necessary to test Pseudomonas cepacia patients with other CF patients on the same day, they must be isolated from each other. 3. Active Mycobacterium tuberculosis patients should be scheduled at specific times to minimize the potential for cross contamination. Most frequently, they will be scheduled as the last patient of the day. a. Negative pressure procedure rooms along with personal protective equipment are required by CDC guidelines when testing subjects suspected to have tuberculosis (9). 4. Consideration may be given to scheduling patients who are immune-compromised or known to have potentially infectious disease. 3.5. Not withholding medications that influence test results for a long enough period of time. 4. In-patient testing should be completed as soon as possible to decrease length of stay. 5. Record required demographic and ordering information. 5.1. Diagnosis and clinical indication for specific tests ordered 5.2. Ordering physician 5.3. Specific test(s) ordered 5.4. Special needs or instructions 1. A translator may be necessary in some cases. 2. Accessories for the hearing impaired (e.g. visual aids, hearing enhancement devices, etc.) 3. Specific medications must be withheld for some tests (e.g., bronchial provocation testing) (7). 4. Patients on oxygen (O 2 ) or with a tracheostomy may have additional requirements. 5.5. Date and time of test 5.6. Patient’s name and identification number. 6. Provide patient with verbal and written instructions for preparing for tests (example in Appendix 3.2) (4, 8). 6.1. Written instructions should be available at a reading level and language consistent with the patient population. 6.2. Brochures may be provided for specific procedures (e.g., bronchoscopy). 6.3. When indicated, provide a list of medications to withhold and for how long. 6.4. Define appropriate clothing for test(s) (e.g., running or walking shoes for exercise test). 6.5. Provide an approximate amount of time required for completion of the test procedure. 6.6. Provide a brief explanation of the test including purpose and potential benefits. 6.7. Include other preparation instructions as appropriate (e.g. refrain from smoking for 12 hours prior to testing). 6.8. A video or handout could be used to illustrate the procedures the patient will perform.

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