Mushtaq M, Hayton R, Watts T, Shurvinton J, Gooch R, Perks W H
Department of Respiratory Medicine, Princess Royal Hospital, Telford, U.K.
Respir Med. 1995 Apr;89(4):263-70. doi: 10.1016/0954-6111(95)90086-1.
Pulmonary function testing has become an integral part of the assessment and follow-up of patients with pulmonary disease. Many factors can influence the results produced by a laboratory. This audit was performed to examine the extent of variation in the pulmonary function test results amongst all laboratories in the West Midlands. This was followed by an attempt to determine the cause of this variation.
Phase 1. Three normal healthy subjects each underwent a set of pulmonary function tests in all 22 laboratories in the West Midlands. Information regarding technicians' qualifications, training and seniority, protocol and equipment used were obtained in the form of a questionnaire. Phase 2. All 22 laboratories were asked to calculate the predicted values on the same nine sets of demographic data. These data included both sexes, ethnic minorities and range of ages. In addition technical aspects of each laboratory were investigated including the assessment of volume and gas analysers with standard gases containing known concentrations of helium and carbon monoxide.
Phase 1. Significant variations (P < 0.05) were observed in all measured values of pulmonary function tests of the three subjects. Significant variations (P < 0.05) were also observed in all predicted values except total lung capacity. Phase 2. There were significant variations (P < 0.05) amongst laboratories in calculating the predicted values of all components of pulmonary function tests. No significant differences were observed in the measurement of volume or concentration of carbon monoxide or helium.
肺功能测试已成为肺部疾病患者评估和随访的一个重要组成部分。许多因素会影响实验室得出的结果。本次审核旨在检查西米德兰兹郡所有实验室肺功能测试结果的差异程度。随后尝试确定这种差异的原因。
第一阶段。三名正常健康受试者在西米德兰兹郡的所有22家实验室各进行了一组肺功能测试。通过问卷调查获取有关技术人员资质、培训和资历、所用方案及设备的信息。第二阶段。要求所有22家实验室根据相同的九组人口统计学数据计算预测值。这些数据包括男女、少数族裔和不同年龄段。此外，还对每个实验室的技术方面进行了调查，包括用含有已知浓度氦气和一氧化碳的标准气体对容积分析仪和气体分析仪进行评估。
第一阶段。三名受试者肺功能测试的所有测量值均观察到显著差异（P<0.05）。除肺总量外，所有预测值也观察到显著差异（P<0.05）。第二阶段。各实验室在计算肺功能测试所有组成部分的预测值时存在显著差异（P<0.05）。在一氧化碳或氦气的容积或浓度测量方面未观察到显著差异。
