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Follow the links below to find material targeted to the unit's elements, performance criteria, required skills and knowledge

Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Elements define the essential outcomes
2. Prepare spirometer and materials for use
   • Check cleanliness and functionality of spirometer and other materials
   • Validate or calibrate spirometer in accordance with manufacturer specifications
3. Prepare client for procedure
   • Greet client courteously and identify self
   • Identify client following organisation and regulatory procedures
   • Obtain, read, and accurately record client information, in accordance with organisation policies and procedures
   • Identify and responds to contraindications for performing spirometry within scope of own job role
   • Obtain clarifications from requesting health professional when necessary
   • Take accurate client measurements, consider other inputs and calculate reference values from established value sets
   • Seat client correctly for procedure
4. Perform spirometry
   • Initialise equipment to commence recording and recordadditional information
   • Coach client through procedure with the provision of continuous instruction, encouragement and reassurance
   • Observe client throughout the procedure for ability to continue
   • Identify recording as technically correct
   • Provide client with feedback on performance
   • Repeat spirometry as necessary to comply with current standards for repeatability
   • Make technically acceptable measurements according to current standards
   • Select indices for report in accordance with current standards
   • Identify the need for administration of a bronchodilator in accordance with current standards and medical officer request
   • Allow sufficient time for peak effect from bronchodilator and repeat spirometry
   • Identify and respond to clinical emergenciesin accordance with organisation emergency procedures
5. Complete spirometry measurement
   • Assist client as required on completion of procedure
   • Review follow up arrangements with client
   • Respond appropriately to client’s questions
   • Dispose of or clean materials in accordance with organisation policies and procedures, and infection control guidelines
   • Clean, restock and store equipment according to manufacturer’s guidelines
   • Complete report to technically acceptable standards, provide a provisional interpretation of results and forward to physician for final interpretation
   • Forward report and interpretation to requesting medical officer
   • Enter details of client and test completed on to database and/or hospital information system

Performance Evidence

The candidate must show evidence of the ability to complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage tasks and manage contingencies in the context of the job role. There must be evidence that the candidate has:

followed established technical, infection control and safety procedures to produce spirometry measurements for at least 3 different clients that accurately reflect the maximal expiratory ventilatory capacity:

recognised and responded appropriately to errors due to both client performance and technical faults

provided provisional interpretation against established reference values

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Knowledge Evidence

The candidate must be able to demonstrate essential knowledge required to effectively complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage tasks and manage contingencies in the context of the work role. This includes knowledge of:

purpose, principles and protocols of spirometry

legal and ethical considerations for spirometry, including:

duty of care

informed consent

records management

privacy, confidentiality and disclosure

industry standards

work role boundaries – responsibilities and limitations

basic pharmacology related to respiratory function relevant for spirometry measurement

anatomy and physiology relevant for understanding and conducting spirometry

set up, operation and routine maintenance of spirometry equipment

patterns of normal/abnormal results related to both respiratory disease and technical factors relevant for spirometry measurement

features of technically correct recordings, including:

no hesitation at start

evidence of maximal effort

no cough within first second

end of test criteria met

reproducibility

mathematical and statistical information relevant for spirometry measurement

reference values required for spirometry measurement and the factors that contribute to calculation of client reference values and how to incorporate these, including:

weight

height

age

gender

race

how to convert volumes from atmospheric temperature and pressure (ATP) to body temperature and pressure saturated (BTPS)

common causes of client non compliance in spirometry and the appropriate remedies

complications and contraindications for clients undergoing spirometry measurement, and how to respond

emergency procedures specific to spirometry instrument quality control procedures, including:

calibration

biological control measures

relevance of environmental factors in spirometry, including temperature and humidity

features and functions of respiratory therapy products

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