title: Performance and interpretation of spirometry among Swedish hospitals.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  It is unclear to what extent spirometric performance and interpretation is standardized in Sweden. The aim of this study was to find out how spirometry is performed and interpreted in large Swedish hospitals.
  
  
  METHODS
  In telephone interviews, technicians and physicians working with lung function measurements at 21 large Swedish hospitals were interviewed about routines for spirometry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Answers were obtained from 37 of the 42 departments contacted revealing differences in the spirometric routines. Some departments lack a written method description, and three different prediction equations were used among the departments. Different ways of calculating the forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1)/vital capacity (VC) ratio (FEV%) were found and also differences in performance and interpretation of the reversibility test. When diagnosing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, none of the departments reported using an individualized diagnostic limit of FEV1/VC based on age, sex and height.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is a need for standardization of performance and interpretation of the spirometry test in Sweden and probably also in other countries.
authors.affiliation: Västra Götaland Primary Health Care, Närhälsan Dals-Ed Health Center, Ed, Sweden. bjorn.belfrage@vgregion.se.
authors.forename: Björn
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Belfrage
authors.affiliation: FoUU-centrum in Fyrbodal, Research Unit and Section for General Practice, Vänersborg, Sweden.
authors.forename: Anders
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hansson
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Medicine and Allergology, Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
authors.forename: Björn
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bake
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D017056:Medical Laboratory Personnel; D010820:Physicians; D057285:Precision Medicine; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013147:Spirometry / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D013548:Sweden; D014797:Vital Capacity
keywords: Sweden; departments; hospital; interviews; observational study; spirometry; telephone