Due consideration needs to be given to room air changes; however, it is not currently possible to monitor room changes in primary care, therefore pragmatic advice is to consider:
- Good air circulation e.g., testing in a room with an opening window / exterior door; ensuring interior door is closed during testing.
- The use of extraction fans placed in windows to exhaust room air to the outdoors may be considered. This will help draw fresh air into room via other open windows and doors without generating strong room air currents. Care must be taken to avoid causing contaminated air to flow directly from one person over.
- A Perspex screen between patient and operator offers an additional physical barrier for protection. These may not be widely available in general practice and are for consideration only.
- Consider portable high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) fan/filtration systems
- Consider the positioning of the patient and performer of spirometry. The patient facing the open window during the procedure; performer to stand out of the direct line of exhaled breath
The Primary Care Respiratory Society (PCRS (2021)