Spirometry Monitoring Technology

Spirometry Monitoring Technology

Longitudinal FVC values (green dots) plotted against age and evaluated against the cross-sectional limits: lower limit of normal (purple line) and 0.1th percentile (≈60% predicted, orange line)

Spirometry monitoring can be used in the primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention of occupational and non-occupational respiratory disease and in the maintenance of workers’ fitness. Primary prevention of occupational respiratory disease through control or elimination of adverse exposures in the workplace is a priority.

Primary prevention:

Spirometry monitoring of workers used to assess the respiratory health status of subgroups of workers exposed to a particular agent (or production process) to determine if exposures to that agent (or production process) is unsafe and needs to be controlled. However, even with exposure controls in place, some workers may be adversely affected; such residual occupational risks and non-occupational exposures (e.g., tobacco smoke) provide a role for spirometry monitoring in secondary and tertiary prevention.

Secondary prevention:

Spirometry used to monitor worker populations exposed to potential respiratory hazards to identify otherwise healthy individuals who are experiencing excessive lung function decline; individualized preventive intervention can then be applied to prevent further excessive loss and subsequent lung function impairment.

Tertiary prevention:

Spirometry used to carefully monitor an individual worker with established lung function impairment and/or symptoms as part of clinical management to help prevent disabling impairment and limit symptoms. Generally, respiratory disease prevention is best done as part of an overall health maintenance program in which results of spirometry evaluations are linked with exposure control, smoking cessation, and general health-promotion interventions.

Spirometry Longitudinal Data Analysis (SPIROLA) Software

SPIROLA software is an easy-to-use visual and quantitative tool intended to assist the health care provider in monitoring and interpreting computerized longitudinal spirometry data for individuals as well as groups. It can be used for primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention (see above).