Ministry Sacred Heart Hospital’s Cardiopulmonary Services Department in Tomahawk has installed a Jaeger MasterScreen Body Pulmonary Function Testing unit that measures lung function parameters and can detect a response to bronchodilator therapy. According to Ministry Sacred Heart Hospital’s Respiratory Therapist Megan Hoha, RRT, “The new Pulmonary Function Testing unit brings the gold standard of lung testing technology to Sacred Heart.”
Pulmonary Function Tests or PFTs are a series of breathing maneuvers that allow for measurement of lung volumes and flows, as well as how effectively the lungs are able to exchange gases with the blood. Airway resistance, which is opposition to flow, can also be measured. PFT results, in addition to other diagnostic tools used by your doctor, can help in diagnosing certain lung diseases such as COPD, asthma, chronic bronchitis, and emphysema.
During your Pulmonary Function Tests a patient will be asked to sit in the MasterScreen Body unit where they will breathe through a mouthpiece connected to the measuring unit. Patients will be asked to wear nose clips to ensure all lung volumes and flows are measured through your mouth. The Respiratory Therapist will coach each patient through different breathing maneuvers, some of which may require the unit door to be closed. Some tests may be repeated after the administration of a bronchodilator. If lung diffusion, which is the exchanging of gases between your lungs and blood, is being tested a blood draw done in lab prior to your PFT. A complete PFT may take up to an hour.
For more information please contact your primary care provider. To schedule an appointment with a Ministry provider in Tomahawk please call 715-453-7200.