A cleaning and calibration method for the SpiroPro portable spirometer's pneumotachometer tube in a remote field study.
BACKGROUND
We developed a systematic method of cleaning and calibration-checking for the pneumotachometer tube of the SpiroPro portable spirometer; this method maximized spirometry accuracy in a population-based study in a remote area of Nepal.


METHODS
We tested 10 factory-calibrated pneumotachometer tubes. Each use consisted of a full set of spirometry maneuvers, per the American Thoracic Society (ATS) spirometry criteria.


RESULTS
The pneumotachometers remained accurate, per the ATS criteria, for 5-9 disinfections, but began to drift toward inaccuracy after the first disinfection. All the pneumotachometers had become inaccurate, per the ATS criteria, after 10 disinfections.


CONCLUSIONS
In a remote field setting the SpiroPro pneumotachometer tube can be cleaned and reused 5-9 times before it becomes inaccurate per the ATS criteria. Rigorous rinsing in distilled water and repeated calibration checks, at various flows up to 12 L/s, are essential for precise and accurate spirometry with the SpiroPro. Reusing the SpiroPro pneumotachometer in a remote setting may impose measurement bias. Single use of SpiroPro pneumotachometers, albeit more costly, will provide better data.
Baldwin
Matthew R
MR
Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
Checkley
William
W
Wise
Robert A
RA
Khatry
Subarna K
SK
LeClerq
Steve C
SC
West
Keith P
KP
D000293:Adolescent; D002138:Calibration; D002648:Child; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004203:Disinfection / Q000379:methods*; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D017743:Equipment Reuse; D006801:Humans; D008173:Lung Diseases, Obstructive / Q000175:diagnosis*; D019095:Point-of-Care Systems; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D019035:Rural Health Services; D013147:Spirometry / Q000295:instrumentation*; D055815:Young Adult