Pulmonary Lab
The Pulmonary Function Laboratory consists of experienced staff who are Registered Respiratory Therapists (RRT) with nationally recognized credentials from the National Board for Respiratory Care as Registered (RPFT) and Certified Pulmonary Function Technologists (CPFT).
The Pulmonary Function Laboratory serve adult and pediatric patients in both inpatient and outpatient settings. The Lab provides various lung (pulmonary) tests and education ordered by Wake Forest Baptist physicians and physicians in surrounding communities. Some of the breathing tests and studies frequently ordered are: Spirometry, Lung Volumes, Diffusion Capacity, Methacholine Challenge, Bronchoprovocation and Progressive Exercise Testing. Each test ordered, performed and physician-interpreted, provides the doctor specific knowledge and understanding and how well the lungs are working including different parts of a patient’s lungs. Finally, the staff of the Pulmonary Lab assist with bronchoscopies in the Endoscopy Suite.
Utilizing guidelines and direction from our medical director, Dr. Norman Adair, the staff follow protocols for performing and reporting pulmonary function test (PFT) studies. The PFT personnel consult with physician and nursing staff verifying received orders and recommending (when appropriate) the best course of testing for the patient.