title: Survey about the use of lung function testing in public hospitals in Catalonia in 2009.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Underdiagnosis is one of the problems with the greatest impact on respiratory disease management and requires specific interventions. Access to quality spirometry is especially important and is an objective of the Master Plan for Respiratory Diseases of the Department of Health of the Generalitat de Catalunya.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the current use of spirometry at public hospitals in Catalonia, possible deficiencies and options for improvement.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional survey of 65 public hospitals in Catalonia in 2009. Descriptive analyses were developed for each public health-care region.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A lack of uniformity was observed in the use of spirometry at the regional level (between 0,98 and 1.50 spirometries per 100 inhabitants). We identified two factors associated with a higher rate of spirometry: i) the existence of a Respiratory Medicine Department at the hospital, and ii) the existence of a set location to carry out spirometries. Several areas for improvement also were identified: quality control of the test itself, the inclusion of spirometry in electronic health-care records and continuing education programs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this study have identified areas for improvement in spirometry programs.
authors: Direcció d'Especialitats Mèdiques, Consorci Hospitalari de Vic, Vic, Barcelona, España. nuria.roger.casals@gmail.com
authors: Nuria
authors: N
authors: Roger
authors: Felip
authors: F
authors: Burgos
authors: Jordi
authors: J
authors: Giner
authors: Alba
authors: A
authors: Rosas
authors: Ricard
authors: R
authors: Tresserras
authors: Joan
authors: J
authors: Escarrabill
mesh_terms: D001784:Blood Gas Analysis / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D001985:Bronchial Provocation Tests / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006748:Hospital Departments; D006779:Hospitals, Public / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007388:Internal Medicine; D007755:Laboratories, Hospital / Q000600:supply & distribution; D008176:Lung Volume Measurements; D010807:Physical Endurance; D010820:Physicians; D058007:Physicians, Primary Care / Q000193:education; D015272:Pulmonary Medicine / Q000193:education; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D013030:Spain; D013147:Spirometry / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016138:Walking
keywords: Control de calidad; Espirometría forzada; Estándares; Infradiagnóstico; Quality control; Spirometry; Standards; Underdiagnosis