Specialty Areas in the Respiratory Care Services Department
A PART OF RESPIRATORY CARE SERVICES
Respiratory Care Services »
Overview
Specialty Areas »
Our focus programs
Pulmonary Function Lab
The Pulmonary Function Laboratory at Stanford Hospital and Clinics provides a full range of diagnostic testing and ongoing monitoring to both pulmonary patients as well as patients in other specialties that require assessment of lung function. Our licensed specialists work with patients to ensure accurate tests that represent maximal patient effort and comply with the American Thoracic Society Guidelines.
Our pulmonary physiologists are also involved in a variety of research studies, ensuring study specific guidelines are followed. We maintain state of the art equipment that undergoes rigorous quality control and daily calibrations.
Diagnostic pulmonary function tests are performed to assist with both disease detection and quantifying the severity/progression of the disease process. Pulmonary function tests are often ordered by other specialties prior to a surgery, or before and during a course of treatment that may be consequential to lung function.
In addition to standard diagnostic pulmonary function tests, the SHC pulmonary function laboratory offers a variety of specialized pulmonary testing. Some of these specialized tests include:
- Arterial blood gases
- Altitude simulation study
- Methacholine challenge
- Exercise-induced asthma evaluation
- Six-minute walk test
Cystic Fibrosis Clinic
The Cystic Fibrosis Respiratory Therapy team is a crucial part of the multi-disciplinary team of caregivers for CF patients in the outpatient CF clinic here at SHC. The RT plays the role of diagnostician, caregiver, educator, researcher and patient advocate. The core responsibilities of RT’s include: educating patients on the proper use of inhaled medications, how to maintain and disinfect nebulizers and compressors, airway clearance techniques, assessing adherence to AWC regimen, inhaled medications and promoting exercise. Pulmonary function testing is routinely performed by the RT during every clinic visit to assess the lung function of patients and to monitor the progression and stability of their disease process. The RT is knowledgeable about various AWC techniques so that the most appropriate one can be used for individual patients in their home setting. They must remain up to date on new technologies and practice within the constraints of current infection control guidelines to minimize the risk of spreading organisms.
Interventional Pulmonology and Bronchoscopy Program at Stanford Health Care
Our Interventional Pulmonology and Bronchoscopy Program offers advanced, minimally invasive diagnosis and treatment options for thoracic abnormalities and pulmonary disease. As part of the Chest Clinic and Stanford Health Care, we provide care for lung cancer, airway disease, pleural effusions, lung transplants, and advanced treatments for benign lung diseases like emphysema and asthma.
