Respiratory Tests Booklet - Hermitage Medical Clinic

SLEEP STUDIESTest Duration: admissions will be at lunch time onday of testing and patient will be discharged on thefollowing morning before 10am.A Sleep Study is a diagnostic recording of physicalactivities that occur during your sleep time. Thepatient will spend the night in hospital. Electrodes (noneedles) are used in the test to record the activities, thisassists the sleep scientist in gathering the informationnecessary to determine the amount and quality ofsleep that you get, and to measure and time anyphysical change or awakenings that might occur duringthe study.Respiratory TestsBookletTest preparation: normal daily routine to be maintainedon day of testing. Caffeine should be withheld on day oftesting.Referral by Respiratory Consultant onlyHERMITAGE MEDICAL CLINICOld Lucan Road, Dublin 20Tel: 01 – 645 9853Fax: 01 – 645 9754

PULMONARY FUNCTION TESTSTest Duration: 35 MinutesSKIN PRICK ALLERGY TESTTest duration: 50minutes.PFTs may be used to confirm the diagnosis and trackthe progression of respiratory disease, as well asenabling clinicians to assess an individual’s responseto a given therapy. They are also frequently requestedby Anaesthetists as part of pre-operative assessment ofindividuals undergoing surgery. PFTs may also be usedin healthy individuals who undergo routine healthcheckand for those undergoing pre-employmentscreening. During your initial visit to the RespiratoryLab, a qualified scientist will ask you to perform aseries of Pulmonary Function Tests (PFTs). Spirometry,Bronchodilator Response Testing, Gas Diffusion andLung Volumes are the quickest and most common basictests. You may be asked to perform one or all of thesetests during your visit.Test Preparation: Please withhold inhalers for 24 hoursprior to testing and avoid smoking on morning of testReferrals are by GP or Consultant onlyMANNITOL CHALLENGE TESTTest Duration: 75minutesMannitol challenge testing is used to confirm thediagnosis of asthma when there is diagnosticuncertainty. Mannitol challenge testing involves inhalingprogressively higher doses of a fine sugar (manntol)with repeated monitoring of your lung function untilyou develop transient changes in lung function ortransient symptoms of mild asthma.An allergy is an abnormal immune response tocommonly occurring substances (that are not harmfulin themselves). These include foods, inhalants (pollen,dusts, and animal dander), insect bites and drugs. Skintests have been proven to be of benefit in the diagnosisof allergy and the allergy blood test (RAST). Skin allergytests also have the advantage of providing resultsalmost immediately. Antihistamines should be withheldfor a minimum 72 hours prior to testing.The scientist applies the allergens to the skin on yourforearm or back, and then a gentle scratch is applied bylancet over each allergenReferrals are by GP or Consultant onlyTest Preparation: You will be required to withhold yourmedication for a specified duration prior to testing,you will be advised of the length of time when anappointment is made. If you have had a chest infection inthe previous 2 weeks the test will need to be postponed.Referrals are by Respiratory Consultants only