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"I perform PFTs every day, but I did not know how to read them. I now feel confident about preforming them better, and know how to read them!" - Course Participant

Why do I Need NIOSH-Approved Spirometry Training?

About Our Spirometry Courses

Meet the Instructor, Martha Horike-Pyne, RPFT, MPH

Upcoming Course Dates & Registration Info

Why do I Need NIOSH-Approved Spirometry Training?

Spirometry is an important component of occupational respiratory evaluation and surveillance programs that contributes to the prevention of work-related pulmonary disease and disability. Many companies, hospitals, and clinics have a critical need to conduct high quality respiratory evaluations using national standardized protocols. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)-approved spirometry courses provide instruction for practitioners who administer pulmonary function testing to screen employees exposed to occupational hazards such as asbestos, cotton, coke oven emissions, or cadmium. In March 2013, OSHA recommended that all occupational spirometry technicians complete a NIOSH-approved course as best practice. In addition to meeting OSHA exposure-specific standards, this training is now widely accepted for screening the respiratory health of workers in clinical and occupational settings including those involved in research, medical surveillance, testing for respirator medical clearance, and other work-related purposes.

 

About Our Spirometry Courses

NIOSH-Approved Spirometry Training courses offered at the University of Washington (UW) incorporate the most recent American Thoracic Society and European Respiratory Society (ATS/ERS) spirometry testing procedures and interpretation standards. The ATS is the leading medical professional society in the United States that provides evidencebased statements for pulmonary function laboratory standards, testing procedures, and the interpretation of test results.We offer the basic 2-day NIOSH-approved spirometry training and a one-day spirometry refresher. Both the 2-day initial and 1-day refresher spirometry classes are offered on UW campus or can be conducted at your site.

View the course flyer

The 2-day initial training course is designed for technicians who have never taken the NIOSH Spirometry certification course, or with certificates more than 5 years old. This class is appropriate for novice as well as highly experienced spirometry technicians.The 1-day refresher course is designed for experienced spirometry technicians who have completed a NIOSH spirometry certification course within the last five years. Documentation of a valid NIOSH Spirometry certificate is required. Technicians with certificates older than five years must repeat the initial 2-day course to maintain their certification.

* IMPORTANT NOTICE *

In an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19, safety precautions have been implemented at our UW classroom locations that apply to all persons on the premises. If you experience symptoms consistent with COVID-19, do not come to class. You may transfer your registration to another class or be refunded your registration fee. Masks are not required inside UW buildings; however, we strongly encourage you to wear your mask in lobbies, restrooms, and hallways of the Roosevelt Building. If you experience symptoms consistent with COVID-19 at any time once the class has started, you must stay home and may not attend class. If you are staying home or leaving in the middle of the day because you are sick, please notify CE staff by calling 206-685-3089 or emailing ce@uw.edu.

Course Content Includes:

  1. Basic physiology of the forced vital capacity maneuver and the determinants of airflow limitations.
  2. Pulmonary disease patterns in spirometry.
  3. ATS/NIOSH instrumentation requirements including calibration check procedures and sources of error and their correction.
  4. Performance of testing including subject coaching, recognition of improperly performed maneuvers, and corrective actions.
  5. Data quality with emphasis on repeatability.
  6. Actual use of the equipment under supervised conditions.
  7. Measurement of tracings and calculation of results.
  8. Common spirometry testing errors and applicable corrective actions.
  9. Evaluation consists of a written and a practical examination.

 

Meet the Instructor

Martha Horike-Pyne, RPFT, MPH

"Martha captured my attention throughout the course by being so passionate...she was thorough about making sure everyone understood."

"Martha was absolutely the best possible instructor. She created a relaxed environment with real-life experience."

-Course Participants

Martha Horike-Pyne, RPFT, MPH

Martha received her MPH in Epidemiology from the University of Massachusetts and has been working for the University of Washington since 1973. Martha started off with UW as a Research coordinator for NIH funded pulmonary physiology research studies involving children and adults in pulmonary health effects of air pollution in the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences. She now works within the School of Medicine in the Department of Medical Genetics as a Clinical Research Coordinator for NIH funded investigations of Mendelian pulmonary and autoimmune diseases in children and adults. Martha takes a hands-on approach to spirometry training, with a focus on helping students accurately administer tests and read results.

 

 

Upcoming Course Dates & Registration Info

2-Day Initial and 1-Day Refreher Training Upcoming Dates:

Attendees will be required to follow safety protocols as instructed to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Masking is obviously not possible while practicing spirometry, but should be encouraged (although optional) while not performing spirometry. *

2-Day Initial Spirometry Training:

Feb 28-March 1, 2023 Seattle - Registration page

May 9-10, 2023 Seattle - Registration page

1-Day Spirometry Refresher Training:

March 31, 2023 Seattle - Registration page