Service manual

IQmark Digital Spirometer Operation Manual
99
N. Performing an FVC Test - Quick Reference User’s Guide
1) Start the Diagnostic Workstation program – double-click the Workstation icon.
2) Select the patient. Either click New Patient and enter the appropriate information or click Patient
File (for an existing patient) and double-click the appropriate patient name.
3) Check the patient data fields on the screen. Remember that the R.A.S.H. (Race; Age; Sex; Height)
must be entered for each patient to obtain predicted values and interpretations.
4) When the Patient Data screen is complete, click New Test.
5) Select Spirometry and then click OK to enter the test screen.
6) Prepare the patient for the Spirometry test.
a) Explain the procedure to the patient
b) Demonstrate the procedure to the patient
c) Instruct the patient to select a new disposable mouthpiece and to insert it into the handle
d) Instruct the patient to place the mouthpiece on top of their tongue, with their teeth and
lips around the mouthpiece. The patient must seal the outer part of the mouthpiece with
their lips. Let the patient get used to the feeling of breathing with the mouthpiece in their
mouth.
7) When the patient is ready, instruct the patient to hold the handle close to but not in front of their
mouth. Be sure that the patient is not breathing through the mouthpiece when you start the test.
8) Click Start New Test - wait for the zeroing process – DO NOT ALLOW AIRFLOW TO PASS
THROUGH THE MOUTHPIECE DURING THIS PROCESS.
9) When the incentive box displays “Start When Ready” instruct the patient to perform a full
inspiration and then to place the mouthpiece in their mouth. Instruct the patient to Blast out the air.
Encourage the patient with verbal and body language to blast out fast and blast out long. Ask the
patient to continue to blow out until a plateau is reached on the volume-time curve. If a flow
volume loop is required, have the patient inhale at the end of the expiration.
10) Click the Stop button or press the ENTER key to conclude the test. Accept or Reject the test
based on the patient’s effort. Repeat steps 7 through 9 until the appropriate number of tests has been
performed. Performing more than 8 forced vital capacity tests in one sitting will usually return
diminished results.
11) Click the Save/Review button to save the efforts. Use the review screen to review, edit and/or
print the results.
12) Instruct the patient to remove and discard the used mouthpiece after all tests are completed.
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