IU Health Receives New Pulmonary Function Tests

IU Health Frankfort now offers Pulmonary Function Tests (PFT).

“PFTs are a group of tests that measure how well your lungs work,” explains Kareena Wells, RRT, cardiopulmonary and sleep center manager at IU Health Frankfort. “This includes how well you are able to breathe and how effective your lungs are able to bring oxygen to the rest of your body.”

The PFT test provides a safe way to observe the lungs and allow patients to understand how well their lungs are working. The test can supply information such as the capacity, volume, gas exchange and rates of flow within the lungs. PFTs are used to diagnose and monitor specific health conditions and are often ordered prior to any medical procedures.  The test is also used for evaluating different forms of treatment for patients that endure chronic lung diseases.

The new PFT will allow medical professionals to obtain more accurate measurements for lung volumes and make important decisions about patient care. With this new addition, the IU Health Frankfort team will be able to conduct Spirometry, a safe test that measures the lung capacity and Carbon Monoxide Diffusing Capacity testing and body plethysmography that measures lung volumes. The PFT’s additional body box allows a multitude of different tests and procedures to be added to the IU Health Frankfort Hospital list of innovative technologies.

“The new and improved Pulmonary Function Test will provide a more efficient way of testing the lungs of our Cardiopulmonary patients,” added Wells.