Aerosol Precautions in Pulmonary Function Testing

ABSTRACT

Pulmonary function tests (PFTs) are important for the diagnosis, management, and monitoring of lung disease. Throughout the pandemic there have been considerable disruptions to PFT laboratories and conflicting recommendations between jurisdictions and health care centres regarding aerosol precautions and personal protective equipment. The CTS and CSRT working group on PFT resumption continues to review available evidence and provide ongoing recommendations for the resumption of services during the post-peak phase of the pandemic. We've also worked with stakeholders from around the country to understand the conflicting viewpoints and advocate for aerosol precautions in the PFT laboratory. In this talk I will highlight the considerations of the working group, summarize the rationale for the recommendations and discuss ongoing advocacy efforts to raise awareness of the need to implement multiple layers of precautions to protect patients and staff from COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses.