Pulmonary Function Laboratory

Pulmonary Function Laboratory, accredited by the Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand, is part of the Peninsula Respiratory Group. The Laboratory conducts static lung function testing on patients with a variety of respiratory disorders.

The Peninsula Respiratory Group has a sister Pulmonary Function Laboratory at the Mater Medical Centre in Crows Nest which provides a similar range of tests.

These tests help in the diagnosis of various lung and other organ disorders, and are also used in the assessment of the severity of, and for monitoring of the progress or response to treatment of known lung and chest wall diseases. A list of commonly available tests and the usual indications for testing are shown below.

Tests are only performed in response to a  medical referral ( GP or Specialist ). The testing is carried out in the new laboratory using state of the art equipment, by fully trained Respiratory Scientists. The results are reported by the Medical Director, or one of the other experienced Respiratory Physicians associated with the laboratory.

The laboratory has been accredited by the Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand since 1995, and is one of the few laboratories in New South Wales to be accredited.

Most tests are performed in a body plethysmograph ( sometimes called a “body box”- see photo). It is a clear Perspex box rather like an old fashioned telephone box. It is used primarily  to quickly measure the volume of gas in the lungs, although the equipment is also used with the door open to measure airflows and gas transfer across the lungs.

Other equipment is used to test a range of other functions including; measurement of  the strength of the respiratory muscles, the irritability of the airways ( an asthma test ),  the degree of allergy, and the resistance of the nose. The laboratory can also measure the oxygen level in the blood during  a simulated long distance commercial airplane flight. This test ( a “HAST test” ) is useful in determining whether someone with advanced lung disease will cope with flying without supplemental Oxygen.

Appointments can be made through the Peninsula Respiratory Group’s main telephone number; 9975 4911 Monday to Friday 0800-1600. Referral pads are available to doctors wishing to use the laboratory by calling the same number.

We have a sister laboratory at the new Mater Medical Clinic at Crows Nest which currently operates Mondays and Thursdays only. Appointments can be made by calling 9950 4613 Monday to Friday 0800-1600. A similar range of tests is performed there, with the exception of the HAST test.

Suggested investigations