Around 26 million Americans suffer from a pulmonary disease. These diseases impact individuals and make it difficult to perform everyday tasks, including their daily job. Unfortunately, many of those suffering go aren’t diagnosed and, accordingly, don’t know why they keep struggling. This has led to occupational health spirometry testing. Spirometry testing helps diagnose those suffering from pulmonary issues and creates a safe work environment for them and the workers around them. Here’s what you need to know.
What Is Spirometry?
Spirometry is a standard pulmonary test typically performed by those suffering from asthma and other lung conditions. It measures lung function by recording how hard someone can exhale and the speed at which they can inhale or exhale. Spirometry data taken over time help a clinician diagnose lung problems.
What Is Occupational Health?
Occupational health is an aspect of healthcare that’s focused primarily on the improvement of employee health. However, it can also focus on factors such as creating a safer workplace environment or developing a culture that lends itself to safety.
What Is Occupational Health Spirometry Testing?
Occupational health spirometry focuses on helping workers and employees identify whether or not their pulmonary issues require medical attention. Some companies have even mandated spirometry testing due to compliance and employee exposure.
Many view spirometry as a difficult and frustrating experience. Both those who conduct the tests and employees who receive the test have found difficulties involved in the process.
As technology and methods have evolved, many companies are using a non-invasive and highly effective way of determining lung capacity and force of breath among their employees. Old technology, including out-of-date spirometers, the need for recalibration, and being careful with older and more fragile devices, have all added to the difficulty of regular spirometry testing in the workplace.
To make matters worse, specific industries are far more at risk of developing or worsening pulmonary issues. Warehouses, construction sites, and other dirty work environments can cause triggers or issues for those suffering from asthma or other pulmonary problems.
To help combat this risk, many businesses are turning to telehealth medicine or medical clinics with a mobile component. Rather than implementing these tests themselves, companies are hiring professional medical experts to go to the worksite and conduct these critical tests to help verify and ensure proper health for employees.
We Can Help!
Work Health Solutions has made it our mission to help provide necessary healthcare for those who need it. We are particularly concerned with the working environment. We understand the difficulty of taking care of employees in the workplace. If you’re planning to conduct occupational health spirometry testing, contact us today to help get it done efficiently.
