Computer analysis versus technician analysis of body plethysmographic analog recordings of airway resistance and thoracic gas volume.
Body plethysmographic analog recordings of airway resistance (Raw) and volume of thoracic gas (Vtg) were repeatedly analyzed by a minicomputer system and by four technicians to determine the consistency of the measurements made by each technician and the difference between the measurements made by the technicians and the computer. Verification of the computer's accuracy enabled it to be used as a standard of comparison. The most experienced technician had the highest consistency and was the only technician whose readings did not differ significantly from those of the computer. I concluded that a skilled and experienced technician will increase the quality of the Raw and Vtg measurements, but not to the level achieved by the computer analysis.
D000403:Airway Resistance; D003201:Computers; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006801:Humans; D008176:Lung Volume Measurements; D008905:Minicomputers; D010991:Plethysmography / Q000295:instrumentation; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic / Q000295:instrumentation*; D012044:Regression Analysis