Pulmonary Physiology Services

303.398.1530

Appointments are scheduled Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. MST.

 
Pulmonary Physiology Services (PPS) at National Jewish Health is part of a world-renowned medical and research hospital offering physicians and their patients state-of-the-art pulmonary diagnostic testing to assist with evaluation and treatment of patients. We are active in providing diagnostic testing for a wide variety of clinical patients and research studies. PPS is recognized as one of the largest leading-edge pulmonary function laboratories in the country providing diagnostic testing that utilizes recent research for clinical application. 

Referring a Patient to Pulmonary Physiology Services

Physicians and advanced practice providers may order testing directory refer patients directly  without referring the patient to a National Jewish Health physician. To order testing or therapeutic services, call 303.398.1530. 

Download the Pulmonary Physiology Request Form (pdf) and fax it to 303.270.2153.

Physician Consultation

The Physician Line 1.800.652.9555 is available to physicians for consultation, information and referral.

Quick and Convenient Test Results

Preliminary test results are available within hours after tests are completed. The final interpreted test report is available within 2-3 working days and includes all test graphics, data and a formal interpretation from a National Jewish Health board-certified pulmonologist.  

We're happy to answer your referral questions or review test results.

Diagnostic Services

Diagnostic tests assess lung function and efficiency, evaluation of lung size, resistance and specific conductance of the airways, elasticity and compliance of the lung (lung mechanics), complex metabolic exercise testing and special procedures related to pulmonary physiology. In addition to offering procedures unavailable at most facilities, such as exhaled nitric oxide and lung mechanic measurements, PPS is staffed by a highly qualified team of experts in pulmonary medicine. This combination of technology and expertise gives you access to efficient diagnostic services with unparalleled accuracy. Testing offered includes:

Bronchial Provocation Testing

• Eucapnic voluntary hyperpnea testing (gold standard test for exercise-induced bronchoconstriction)
• Exercise induced bronchoconstriction testing on treadmill
• Irritant challenges
• Laryngoscopy
• Methacholine challenge

Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing

• Cardiopulmonary exercise tolerance test (VO2 max, VCO2, VD/VT, VE) can include arterial blood gas (ABG)
• Exercise dynamic airways collapse (EDAC) — breathing retraining to maintain more patent airways when exercising
• Exercise with continuous laryngoscopy — evaluate exercise-induced laryngeal obstruction (EILO) and VCD
• Formal exercise for desaturation
• Interventional cardiopulmonary exercise test (ICPET) — training w/ breathing techniques and split level O2 therapy
• Therapeutic laryngoscopy with exercise (TLE) — breathing retraining with laryngoscopy biofeedback
• Walk oximetry (can include resting ABG) — assess supplemental oxygen needs

Hypoxia Evaluation Advanced Testing

• High altitude simulation
• Hypoxic and hypercapnic challenge testing
• Shunt study
• Stand along or following methacholine challenge

Pulmonary Function Evaluation

• Complete pulmonary function testing — lung volumes, spirometry, diffusing capacity
• Exhaled nitric oxide
• Forced oscillation
• Maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressures
• Nitrogen washout for lung volume measurements
• Seated and supine spirometry

Therapeutic Services

Therapeutic Services offered through Pulmonary Physiology Services improve patient safety, maximize diagnostic accuracy, and optimize the management of chronic lung diseases through specialized, hands-on interventions. These services include: 

• Airway clearance devices, provision of the device and teaching how to use it. (i.e. Vibratory PEP Therapy with Aerobika or Flutter Valve).
• AirVest airway clearance therapy
• Antibiotic aerosol treatments
• Discharge planning coordinated with the Discharge Planner, Continuity of Care Coordinator, and/or other applicable team members.
• Chest physical therapy (postural drainage and percussion teaching)
• CPAP & non-invasive positive pressure ventilation trials & mask fittings
• Education of patients and/or their families
• Oxygenation assessments
• Sputum induction procedures
• Trans-tracheal oxygen (education plus pre-op and post-op care)
• Use of pharmaceutical agents administered directly to the respiratory tract.

Quality Practices

The entire staff takes great care in providing high quality, accurate, reliable and repeatable testing results in a friendly, patient-focused atmosphere.

• All equipment has been evaluated to ensure it meets standards for the American Thoracic Society (ATS), the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) and the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
• All equipment is calibrated daily to ensure accuracy.
• Education is provided for our staff to ensure continued expansion of their knowledge in pulmonary diagnostics. Every staff member passes competency testing on the skills they provide for patients.
• Our department bioengineer staff is available to troubleshoot problems to ensure our equipment is operational at all times
• Our extensive quality control program ensures repeatability of all patient data. Biological standards (healthy, non-smoking staff members) are tested weekly to make sure all equipment provides consistent results.
• Quality improvement projects are identified and implemented on an as needed basis.
• Testing quality is assured by review of all reports by supervisors.
• We perform statistical analysis of all quality control and documents all quality records

Test Information & Preparation

• Bronchial Provocation Tests
• Exercise Tests
• Gas Exchange Tests
• Laryngoscopy
• Pulmonary Function Tests (including Exhaled Nitric Oxide)