Pulmonary Function Testing (PFT)

An important test that is completed by the Respiratory Care Department at SMH is pulmonary function testing.

PFT is a series of painless tests ordered by your physician to measure how well your lungs work. The testing time can vary between 45 minutes to 1 hour, depending on the tests. PFT can help:

• Diagnose certain lung diseases, such as asthma or emphysema.
• Determine why you are short of breath or wheezing.
• Measure how severely you lungs are damaged.
• Determine appropriate treatment.
• Determine the effectiveness of your current therapy or new medications.
• Evaluate lung function before surgery.
• Monitor lung function of a person who was exposed to asbestos or other harmful environmental conditions that can damage the lungs.
• Determine if you have exercised induced asthma.

A pulmonary function test can be scheduled by a nurse at your doctor's office. If you have an order for the test from your doctor, you can call the Respiratory Care Department directly.

When testing has been ordered please refrain from using nebulizer and inhalers for 4 hours prior to testing.

Contact Us

Respiratory Care Department: 660-385-8730