Abstract
Aims:
To assess the quality of primary care spirometry by visual inspection of the flow-volume expiratory curve and to study the quantity of clinical information provided on the spirometry report sheets.
Methods:
Retrospective audit of 868 expiratory flow-volume curves referred to three pulmonary clinics assessed against five predefined quality criteria. Clinical information included on the spirometry report sheets was also collected.
Results:
Quality was good in 78% of pre-bronchodilation curves and in 80% of post-bronchodilation curves. Obtaining a sharp PEF value and full vital capacity exhalation seemed to be the critical points of measurement. Inter-rater reliability of the curve assessment was mainly good. Data on where the spirometry took place, and comments on the use of respiratory medication and patient co-operation were often lacking.
Conclusions:
The quality of primary care spirometry was good. Adequate clinical information on the report sheets would further improve the quality of this diagnostic process.
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Tuomisto, L., Jarvinen, V., Laitinen, J. et al. Asthma Programme in Finland: the quality of primary care spirometry is good. Prim Care Respir J 17, 226–231 (2008). https://doi.org/10.3132/pcrj.2008.00053
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.3132/pcrj.2008.00053
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