Spirometry Pre-attendance Information

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Spirometry Appointment Locations

Malling Primary Care Network run spirometry clinics for practices across West Kent. We see patients at a variety of locations.

Please check the location of your appointment carefully and use the details below for address and access information.

Larkfield Health Centre

Larkfield Health Centre, Martin Square, Larkfield, Aylesford, ME20 6QJ.

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On arrival, please turn left on entering the building and press the buzzer marked “NCC” to be let in. If you get no answer, please call 0333 332 6700 .

Please do not go through to Thornhills Medical Practice as they have no way to let you in.

Snodland Medical Practice

Snodland Medical Practice, Catts Alley, Snodland, ME6 5SN.

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We will send you a reminder text a few days before your appointment.

However, if you have any concerns or are no longer able to attend your spirometry appointment, please call the PCN, Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm on 0333 332 6700 and select option 3.

 

How should I prepare for a spirometry appointment?

If you are already taking regular inhalers or medication for your breathing

If you are already taking regular inhalers or medication for your breathing, please bring them to your appointment, but we ask that you do not use them if possible for the time specified below:

  • Relievers – SABA (e.g. Salbutamol, Terbutaline): 4 to 6 hours
  • Relievers – SAMA (e.g. Atrovent): 6 hours
  • Preventers – LABA (e.g. Salmeterol, Formoterol, Seretide, Symbicort, Fostair): 24 hours
  • Preventers – Ultra-LABA (e.g. Onbrez, Relvar, Anoro, Striverdi): 36 hours
  • Preventers – LAMA (e.g. Spriva, Incruse, Eklira, Braltus, Tiotropium): 36 to 48 hours
  • Long-acting oral bronchodilators (e.g. Theophylline tablets): 24 hours

If you feel breathless and need to use any of these inhalers within the times above, please inform the clinician at the start of your appointment.

Other Instructions

  • Please take all of your other medications as normal.
  • Please bring any inhalers you have to the appointment.
  • Please do not smoke in the 24 hours before the test.
  • Please do not drink alcohol on the day of the test.
  • Please do not have caffeine e.g tea/coffee, in the 4 hours before the test.
  • Please avoid eating a large meal 2 hours before the test.
  • Please avoid vigorous exercise in the last 30 minutes.
  • Please wear non-restrictive, comfortable clothing.

For your comfort please empty your bladder just before your appointment.

Chest Infection

If you have a chest infection at any point less than 6 weeks before your date of your test date, please ring 0333 332 6700 (option 3) to cancel your appointment and contact your surgery to re-book the appointment when you have been well for at least 6 weeks.

A chest infection and/or oral steroids will affect your test and give your GP / Nurse Practitioner invalid results.

 

Pre-existing conditions

If you have had any of the following operations/conditions within the timeframes listed, you may not be suitable to undertake a spirometry appointment:

  • Eye surgery – 2 to 6 weeks
  • Unstable angina/angina attack – If GTN is used that day
  • Recent MI – 7 days
  • Pneumothorax – 3 weeks
  • Brain surgery - 3 to 6 weeks
  • Abdo/thoracic surgery – 4 weeks
  • Vascular surgery – 4 to 6 weeks
  • Nausea/vomiting/diarrhoea – clear for 48 hours
  • Middle ear infection – 2 weeks once treated
  • Pulmonary embolism, untreated – ok once treated with anticoagulants
  • Haemoptysis of an unknown origin – within 2 weeks
  • Stroke – ok once treated with anticoagulants.

If the above applies to you, please contact us as soon as possible on 0333 332 6700 , Option 3, to discuss the matter.

The following conditions are absolute contra-indications and we will definitely not be able to undertake spirometry;

  • Active untreated TB
  • Aneurysm aortic or cerebral >6cm or bulging
  • Untreated PE

If you have the above, please contact us to cancel your appointment and then speak to your surgery about the way forward for you.

Spirometry Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is Spirometry?

Spirometry is a basic breathing test which measures the amount of air you can breathe in and then blow out forcefully.

Your GP/ Practice Nurse has requested this test to assess your lung function following your recent visit.

How is the test performed?

The Clinician performing the test will measure your height and weight and then ask you to sit upright in a chair next to the device.

You will be asked to take a deep breath in and blow into the Spirometer as hard and fast as you can until your lungs are completely empty.

This routine will be repeat several times to ensure the results are consistent.

Reversibility Test

Depending on your results, you may be given an inhaler (bronchodilator) which will open up your airways to their best possible.

The individual clinician will demonstrate how to use the inhaler via a spacer. You will then have the test repeated 15 to 20 minutes later to see if there is any improvement.

During the 15 to 20 minute interval you may be asked to sit and wait in the waiting area.

Will I feel any pain or discomfort?

The tests are not painful but can feel a little uncomfortable. Some patients experience light-headedness.

You will be encouraged to do your best and will be given time between each blow but you must inform the clinician if it is causing you to feel unwell.

How long will the test take?

The initial part of the test takes approximately 20 minutes.

If reversibility is then required, you will have a 15 to 20 minute interval whilst the inhaler takes effect and then another 10 minutes of testing.

What are the benefits of having spirometry?

The results of the test will greatly benefit your GP/Practice Nurse when diagnosing problems with your breathing or when monitoring an existing respiratory condition.

What are the risks involved?

The procedure is performed frequently at surgeries and is very low risk. However, because the test requires maximum effort, it is important to ensure that it is suitable for you.

You may feel light-headed after each attempt at the test, but this should only last a few seconds. Occasionally, some patients feel shaky after they have had the inhaler, this is also normal and should only last for a short time.

Rarer complications include fainting due to the forced nature of the test and nausea.

What is FeNO?

FeNO (fractional exhaled nitric oxide) is a test that measures the levels of nitric oxide in your breath.

A high level of nitric oxide when you breathe out can be a sign that you have inflamed airways, and could be a sign that you have asthma.

The clinician undertaking your spirometry will decide if this test is required for you. It involves blowing at a constant rate into a tube.

What can I expect after the test and when can I resume normal activities?

After the test you can go home and resume your normal activities straight away. You should not experience any lasting effects from the test. You should resume taking your inhalers as normal.

When do I get the results?

The clinician performing the test will not be able to give you any results at the appointment. They will send the results to the practice that referred you for the test.

You should follow up with your own practice, however please do give them time to process the results.

What if I have concerns/queries before the test?

If you have any concerns or are no longer able to attend your spirometry appointment, please call the PCN, Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm on 0333 332 6700 and select option 3.

You can also call your own surgery to discuss any concerns about medications or pre-existing conditions.

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