Pulmonary Function Tests (PFTs) for Health Care Professionals
Pulmonary function tests (PFTs), including spirometry, lung volumes, diffusing capacity, and airway resistance, are breathing tests led by a trained pulmonary function technologist, usually done at a hospital or clinic, but increasingly done at a physician’s office. This page is designed to help a health care professional understand the basics of pulmonary function tests, and find additional helpful resources.
Patient-level information on PFTs
Asthma Diagnosis
The
Expert panel recommends that spirometry measurements—FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC%—before and after the patient inhales a short-acting bronchodilator should be undertaken for patients in whom the diagnosis of asthma is being considered, including children ≥5 years of age. PFTs are also recommended for assessing asthma severity. Obstruction is assessed with FEV1/FVC% and severity with FEV1 for adults and children. A lower limit of normal (LLN) is commonly utilized and considered during diagnosis and monitoring. Percent predicted should not be used in adults or pediatrics.
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) provides
NHANES lll reference values for FEV1, FEV6, FVC, PEF, FEF25-75, FEV1/FVC, and FEV6/FVC. The
Global Lung Function Initiative (GLI) has many great resources, including
educational materials to help inform health professionals and patients about the GLI equations, and what they can expect when pulmonary function laboratories switch to using the GLI.
Asthma Monitoring
The Expert panel recommends annual spirometry to track disease severity and monitor medication efficacy. When office spirometry shows severe abnormalities, or if questions arise regarding test accuracy or interpretation, further assessment should be performed in a specialized pulmonary function laboratory. All testing should be completed in accordance with
ATS/ERS Spirometry Standards.
Coding & Billing
Taking the time to do PFTs well is important, and billing for your time can help make that happen. To learn more, the
ATS Coding & Billing Quarterly newsletter summarizes key information on coding, billing, documentation and regulation policy changes that are relevant to clinicians in respiratory, critical care and sleep medicine. The quarterly publication covers issues such as new CPT and ICD-9-CM codes, changing CPT and ICD-9-CM nomenclature and numbering, regulatory policies and Medicare coverage of pulmonary patients.
PFT Resources
American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society PFT Statements and Guidelines
American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society PFT statements and guidelines are based upon a systematic review or pragmatic evidence synthesis, and describe how to perform a test or procedure and describe the underlying evidence. These are the accepted global standards for pulmonary testing in all settings.
Spirometry 360/Spirometry 360 Express
Spirometry 360/Spirometry 360 Express offers comprehensive, interactive, and evidence-based online programs to train test administrators and clinical interpreters to perform and interpret high-quality spirometry tests. Each course is designed to fit into your team’s busy schedule by allowing you to complete the material at your own pace.
Spirometry Webinars
The Michigan Department of Health & Human Services Childhood & Adolescent Health Centers Program created spirometry webinars to help improve technique in performing and interpreting PFTs.
Pulmonary Function Testing - Overview of "Good Test" and Interpretation for the Pediatric Office Setting
Interpretation of Spirometry - Practice Makes Perfect
Spirometry Training - Coaching Kids