COURSE DESCRIPTION Occupational medicine physicians frequently use spirometry in their practices, but their traditional medical training rarely prepares them to appreciate the impact of the technical pitfalls on spirometry results, nor does it introduce them to the importance of using optimal interpretation algorithms. Both elements are important when practitioners use spirometry with other diagnostic tools to evaluate workers for occupational lung disease and/or to medically clear them to use respirators.
This ACOEM course provides down-to-earth guidance and presents recent OSHA regulatory changes related to the updated Cotton Dust Standard, Respirable Crystalline Silica and NIOSH’s Coal Worker Health Surveillance Program. It also presents recent ATS/ERS and ACOEM recommendations for spirometry testing and special considerations for postponing or conducting spirometry testing during the COVID-19 pandemic. It draws on spirometry information from a comprehensive NIOSH-approved course and selecting case examples for a physician audience to illustrate the use of spirometry and other diagnostic tools to evaluate workers for occupational lung disease and/or for medical clearance to use their respirator.
Registration Additional registration is required for this course. Attendees may choose to register for this course only, without enrolling in the full AOHC 2025 conference. To do so, please select the "pre/post-conference course only" option on the AOHC registration site. For questions, contact us at educationinfo@acoem.org. Registration includes course materials, breakfasts, lunches, breaks, and CME credits. Tuition details are provided below:
*Please note that fees increase after February 17, 2025.
TARGET AUDIENCE You should attend this course if you are: 1. A physician in occupational medicine, family practice, internal medicine, or other primary practice areas who wishes to learn or review spirometry testing techniques and interpretation of test results. 2. A resident or fellow in occupational medicine seeking training in pitfalls of spirometry testing and ATS/ERS and ACOEM guidelines on interpreting test results. 3. A nurse practitioner involved in providing care for patients with lung or respiratory issues. 4. A physician assistant who has not received extensive training in spirometry testing pitfalls and interpretation of results.
Note that NIOSH reviews and approves Spirometry Courses for technicians conducting testing in the occupational health setting. While this ACOEM course includes material from a NIOSH-approved course, as well as including additional material specifically chosen for a physician audience, this course confers no NIOSH spirometry certification.
OEM COMPETENCIES This course will address the following OEM Competencies: 1. Clinical-Pulmonary 2. OEM Related Law and Regulations 3. Environmental Health 4. Public Health – Surveillance – Disease Prevention 5. Patient Care and Procedural Skills
Learning Objectives:
Explain the requirements for a valid test.
Apply valid spirometry testing technique.
Avoid errors in spirometer calibration checks.
Interpret test results following official American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society (ATS/ERS) and ACOEM Recommendations.
List factors to consider when purchasing new equipment.
Describe recommendations of AIHA/ANSI Z88.6-2006, updated by ASTM International, on medical clearance for respirator use.
Disclosure(s):
Mary C. Townsend, Dr.P.H.: No financial relationships to disclose
Clayton T. Cowl, MD, M.S.: No financial relationships to disclose
