Spirometry Testing in Occupational Health – Physician Update

Spirometry Testing in Occupational Health – Physician UpdateOccupational medicine physicians frequently use spirometry in their practices, but traditional training rarelyprepares them to appreciate the impact and scope of the technical pitfalls of pulmonary function testing, nordoes it introduce them to optimal spirometry interpretation algorithms. Practitioners may also evaluate workerswith complex respiratory conditions who they determine require further diagnostic tests to confirm or refute adiagnosis of lung disease, in some cases without understanding the role that these additional tests play inestablishing a diagnosis. This ACOEM course addresses both of these limitations, drawing information onspirometry from a comprehensive NIOSH-approved course, and selecting case examples for a physicianaudience to illustrate the roles of spirometry and other diagnostic tests in the evaluation of workers foroccupational lung disease.Since ACOEM members often oversee respiratory health programs for workers in a variety of occupations aswell as interpreting employee test results, this course highlights relevant 2011 ACOEM, 2005 AmericanThoracic Society (ATS), and 2013 OSHA spirometry guidelines on: 1) requirements for a valid test; 2) volumeandflow-type spirometer advantages and disadvantages, as well as considerations when purchasing newequipment; 3). spirometer calibration checks and equipment errors that arise during testing; 4) selectingpredicted values and optimally interpreting test results; and 5) evaluating results longitudinally.In addition to presenting occupational case examples, acceptable vs. flawed spirometry testing technique willbe demonstrated, spirometer calibration checks and equipment types will be shown, and guidelines forequipment selection will be discussed. Test reports generated from a variety of spirometers will be presented,allowing the faculty to feature results from equipment often used by course participants. Discussion and Q&Awill be encouraged throughout the class.Note that NIOSH reviews and approves Spirometry Courses for technicians conducting testing in theoccupational health setting. While this ACOEM course takes advantage of NIOSH’s review and approval ofthe course’s spirometry content, as well as including additional material specifically chosen for a physicianaudience, this course confers no NIOSH spirometry certification.FacultyThe director for this course, Dr. Mary Townsend, is an Independent Spirometry and Epidemiology Consultantfor government, industrial, and research clients and an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Environmental andOccupational Health at the Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh.She is lead author of the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM) PositionStatements on Spirometry in the Occupational Health Setting - 2011 Update and Evaluating PulmonaryFunction Change over Time in the Occupational Setting, a pulmonary function testing consultant for the OSHADirectorate of Standards and Guidance, and an active member of the American Thoracic Society (ATS).Clinical faculty for the course, Dr. Clayton Cowl, is an occupational pulmonologist at Mayo Clinic inRochester, Minnesota where he leads the inhalational toxicology clinic and evaluates workers from across thecountry for a variety of work-related respiratory illnesses. His research has included altitude testing forcommercial aerospace applications, and epidemiological research in work-related asthma and interstitial lungdisease.AMERICAN COLLEGE OF OCCUPATIONAL & ENVIRONMENTAL MEDICINE25 Northwest Point Blvd, Suite 700 | Elk Grove Village, IL 60007 | 847-818-1800 | 847-818-8347 fax | www.acoem.org

What Our Attendees Said“Excellent course. It exceeded my expectations.”“Dr. Townsend – very good teaching and interaction with class. Good clinical application.”Course SummaryLength: Course is 1 day, beginning at 8:00 a.m. and concluding at 5:00p.m.Format: Lecture/discussion, questions and answers.CME Credit: The American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM) is accredited bythe Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical educationfor physicians.ACOEM designates this live activity for a maximum of 7.5 AMA PRA category 1 credit (s) . Each physicianshould only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.ABPM MOC Credit This activity satisfies 7.5 ABPM MOC credits.Tuition: Course materials, continental breakfast, morning & afternoon breaks, CME/MOC creditsACOEM Member: $345Non-member: $415Retired/Student: $185Registration: Register online at www.acoem.org or contact the ACOEM Registration Coordinator at847/818-1800 x374.AMERICAN COLLEGE OF OCCUPATIONAL & ENVIRONMENTAL MEDICINE25 Northwest Point Blvd, Suite 700 | Elk Grove Village, IL 60007 | 847-818-1800 | 847-818-8347 fax | www.acoem.org