Spirometry | M3 Health Melbourne

Spirometry is a common lung function test that can be completed in the clinic in about 40 minutes. 

When is spirometry used?

People have spirometry testing for a number of reasons:

• As a diagnostic test to confirm asthma or COPD
• It can be used to assess the efficacy of existing or new medications in people with confirmed cases of asthma or COPD
• It can be used as a component of fitness testing by employers 

What does a spirometry test involve?

The test measures your lung function, specifically the flow and volume of air entering and leaving your lungs. To ensure that you are adequately prepared for your spirometry test there are a few things you should avoid doing:

• Smoking an hour prior to your test
• Eating a large meal two hour prior to your test
• Using your inhaled medications 4 hours prior to your test

The test itself is simple and completed by our experienced nursing staff.  You will be asked to sit down in the treatment room and after a demonstration by the nurse you will have the opportunity to do some practice breaths into the spirometer. 

Once you are comfortable with the technique we will ask you to complete the ‘pre’ test. This is your baseline reading.

So we will then administer a dose of ventolin via inhaler and spacer. 80% of people who use inhaled medications have a poor technique. So we will use the opportunity to check your inhaler technique – no jugement, only learning!

After the required dose of ventolin we ask you to wait twenty minutes in the waiting area for the medication to work. This component of the test is not required if you are having spirometry for fitness testing, however is a vital component of diagnostic testing. 

When the time has passed, we will repeat the test again for the ‘post’ test results. Here we are looking for changes (if any) that might have occurred due to the medication. 

Spirometry result interpretation

We print out a copy of the test results for you and then your GP will see you to go through the results in detail and how they relate to you and your healthcare goals. 

Which M3 Clinics in Melbourne offer spirometry testing?

Spirometry is available at the following M3 clinics:

• M3 Health Hobsons Bay