World Spirometry Day, October 14, 2010 Running a mass spirometry event.

World Spirometry Day, October 14, 2010

Running a mass spirometry event


What is Spirometry?

• A quick, simple and non-invasive method to test lung function.

• Performed using a spirometer.• Measures the amount and speed

of air that can be inhaled and exhaled by the lungs.

• Helps assess asthma, cystic fibrosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

• Used to diagnose and monitor patients with lung disease.


Why organise an event?

• Raise awareness of lung health.• Encourage people to get their lungs tested.• Motivate medical professionals to work

together, co-operate and make alliances with patient organisations.

• Demonstrate the importance of early detection of chronic lung disease.

• Identify previously undiagnosed problems.• Improve diagnosis of respiratory conditions.• Attract media attention.


Testing requirements

• Target population: Adults (≥ 40 years) Children (6 years – adult)

• Testing area: respiratory physiology laboratory

• Equipment: – Spirometers will already be available– Additional hand held spirometers (for larger events)– Printers for results - Questionnaires– Mouth pieces - Water and cups– Tissues - Waste baskets– Name badges and t-shirts for staff


Estimated costs to run a European event

• Under €1,000 for basic signage, flyers, posters, mailings to local GPs and contact with local media.

• Approx €40,000 to run a larger event to attract media interest. This may include paying a local PR agency to organise cooperation with local TV and radio and possibly a small press conference.


Funding

Funding should be covered on a local/ national level.

• You can approach possible sponsors, foundations, companies, health insurances etc. and pool together funds obtained.

• National societies might coordinate fundraising at the national level.


• Contact your local radio, newspaper and TV for coverage.

• If you are paying a local PR agency, you may decide to create press releases.

• Circulate posters and flyers at local pharmacies and surgeries.

• Advertise in local free newspapers.

• Larger events: organise small press conference/openingceremony for journalists.

Raising awareness


• You may need local/national approval to run an event in your country.

• Contact your national society to see if approval is necessary. If so, national society to organise.

• You may also need to gain approval from your national data authorities to store the test data.

Ethical issues


• Educate people whilst they are waiting to take a test.

• A range of ELF materials are available to download in the patient information pack.

• Local patient organisations may also provide material and may be able to help on the day.

Patient information


– Event organiser: to work with the doctors/nurses before and after the event.

– Welcome team: to explain the process, hand out questionnaires/leaflets, refer children to paediatric testing area and organise queuing system.

– Nurses/ technicians: to carry out testing and work on a shift pattern. Each test takes 10 minutes based on a patient performing 3 blows.

– Doctors: to give advice if abnormal results arise. – Smoking cessation groups: to advise patients in waiting

area.

Personnel


• Ensure all staff are trained to use the equipment.• Link I.D number on questionnaires to the test number.• Provide full guidelines on how to use the spirometer.• 3 accepted blows should be performed per person.• Print out results and highlight any problems.• Give GP letter to those with abnormal results, for

follow-up. Offer to discuss results with doctors on site.• Definite diagnoses cannot be given under the non-

perfect conditions of the event.• Direct smokers concerned about lung health to

smoking cessation groups.

Testing staff


• 12,510 residents tested from six ERS congress cities

• 18.9% of people tested had airway obstruction

• Mean age = 50.0 ±19.1 years

• 48.1% smokers

• 5.2% asthmatic

Conclusion: Spirometry testing is a useful

method for early detection of airway

obstruction in large numbers of city residents

Previous results: ERS Congresses 2004-2009

Data courtesy of the ELF Spirometry Taskforce


Take part in World Spirometry Day and help raise awareness of lung health in your country! For more

information, please visit www.2010yearofthelung.org

World Spirometry Day

World Spirometry Day, October 14, 2010 Running a mass spirometry event.

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