The efficiency of precautions for pulmonary functions test laboratories during the COVID-19 pandemic: a real-life setting
The efficiency of precautions for pulmonary functions test laboratories during the COVID-19 pandemic: a real-life setting

Summary/Abstract: Background: Recommendations were developed for pulmonary function test (pfT) laboratories during theCoronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. however, it is unknown whether these recommendationsare effective and safe.Aim of the study: To assess how effective and safe the recommendations for pfT laboratories were duringthe COVID-19 pandemic.Material and methods: This is a single-center, questionnaire-based study performed between June andAugust of 2020 at the Akdeniz university hospital. We performed the questionnaire over the phone withtechnicians from different centers in Turkey. We asked the age, gender, years on the job, routines performedduring the pandemic, how many pfTs per day they performed, features of the test room, use of personnelprotective equipment, whether they performed triage before the test, and the results of those who had aCOVID polymerase chain reaction (pCR) test or a COVID antibody test.Results: A total of 74 technicians from 69 centers were included in the study. Of the centers, 67 (90.5%) werelocated in tertiary hospitals. At the beginning of the pandemic, 65 (94.2%) centers closed for an average of2.15 months. The average number of tests performed per day was 14.41±11.88. All centers triaged patientsbefore performing the tests. In 19 (27.5%) centers, a transparent nylon separator was placed between thepatient and the technician. Two (0.27%) technicians tested positive for COVID using pCR testing. Amongthe 12 (16.2%) technicians screened for COVID-19 antibodies, none of them were found to have COVID-19antibodies.Conclusion: The recommendations for pfT laboratories seemed to be effective and safe, and the adherenceto these recommendations by the technicians was optimal.KEYWORDS: COVID-19, pulmonary function test, technician, respiratory.

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