APP Guide to Pulmonary Function Testing (PFT) Interpretation
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The APP guide to Interpretation of Pulmonary Function Tests (PFT) is key when evaluating and continuously monitoring interstitial lung disease (ILD). Pulmonary function tests provide objective and reproducible data to support diagnosis, determine severity, assess progression, and guide treatment of the disease in the lung inflammation and fibrosis spectrum.
An APP guide to interpreting pulmonary function tests (PFT) involves evaluating and interpreting the spirometry pattern, lung volume, and the diffusing capacity (DLCO) as well as the decline of function in a correlate to the clinical and imaging findings.
Advanced practice providers (APPs) should be able to examine PFT data with some certainty such that they can determine the presence of restrictive of the disease, and develop multidisciplinary care plans. APPs can improve their PFT interpretation and ILD patient management skills via expert-led discussions, educational modules, and collaborative learning offered on the ILD Community Network.
With the APP guide, PFT interpretation is necessary to assess, diagnose, and guide treatment decisions for progressive interstitial lung disease. Advanced practice providers who interpret PFTs understand the decline of interstitial lung disease and the development of advanced multidisciplinary care.
APPs, clinical updates, and the digital education and networking of the ILD Community Network allows APPs the confidence to interpret PFTs and improve their ILD management.
