Measurement of spirometry, that — chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Specialists and consultant physicians providing services under item 11512 should successfully complete a substantial course of study and training in respiratory medicine, which has been endorsed by a professional medical organisation. Specialists and consultant physicians should keep appropriate records of this training.

Spirometry services billed to the MBS should meet international quality standards (Eur Respir J 2005; 26: 319–338).

The National Asthma Council’s Australian Asthma Handbook (2016) and Lung Foundation Australia’s and Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand’s COPD-X Plan advise that properly performed spirometry is required to confirm airflow limitation and the diagnosis of asthma and/or COPD. Reversibility testing is the standard required for asthma diagnosis. The diagnosis of COPD is confirmed with post bronchodilator spirometry. Item 11505 should not be repeated when diagnosis has been previously confirmed by properly performed spirometry. To meet quality requirements patients must have three acceptable tests for each testing period (pre/post bronchodilator), and meet repeatability criteria with the best effort recorded. Spirometry should be performed by a person who has undergone training and is qualified to perform it to recommended standards (see Spirometry Handbook, National Asthma Council of Australia (https://www.nationalasthma.org.au/living-with-asthma/resources/health-professionals/information-paper/spirometry-handbook) and ATS/ERS Standardisation of spirometry paper (http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/erj/26/2/319.full.pdf).