Reviewed by Susan B. Blonshine, RRT, RPFT, FAARC, AE-C

The patient’s history and physical examination are the essential first steps for identifying chronic obstruction pulmonary disease (COPD). However, spirometry is the gold standard for confirming the diagnosis of COPD. Spirometry is a simple and cost-effective test that can be used in both outpatient and inpatient settings to initially diagnose COPD, to assess treatment responses, and to monitor disease progression over time. All healthcare professionals who care for patients with COPD should have access to spirometry or to a referral center where spirometry can be performed. This instructive interactive course demonstrates how to correctly perform spirometry and discusses what results you should expect and how to interpret them.

Overview

This comprehensive program is designed to help you recognize the challenges of diagnosing, preventing, and treating COPD and to apply current evidence-based guidelines in selecting appropriate screening, testing, education, and treatment options to improve the care of your patients with COPD.

• Describe the steps to perform an accurate spirometry

• Interpret normal versus obstructive patterns

Learner Participation to Earn Credit

• Review the course material

• Complete the online post-test with a score of 70% or higher

• Complete online program evaluation

• Participation in the self-study activity should be completed in approximately 30 minutes

In direct response to the September 2004 Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) Standards for Commercial Support, CME Consultants, Inc. issued a conflict of interest policy dated January 2, 2005. The policy states that the disclosure of potential financial conflicts of interest within the last 12 months must be made and resolved prior to date of the CME/CE activity where commercial support grants are to be used to fund the activity. The following conflicts have been managed and resolved through CME Consultants, Inc.’s Independent Review Committee. Our intent is to assist learners in assessing the potential for bias in information that is presented during the CME/CE activity. The faculty is also aware it is their responsibility to inform the audience if discussion of any non – FDA approved uses of pharmaceutical, medical equipment, prostheses, etc. will be included in their presentation.

Disclaimer
This continuing education program may contain discussion of published and/or investigational uses of agents or products that are not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The authors, sponsors or publishers do not recommend the use of any agent or product outside of the official labeled indications. Please refer to the official prescribing information for each agent or product for discussion of approved indications, contraindications, and written warnings.

Any procedures, medications, or other courses of diagnosis or treatment discussed or suggested in this course should not be used by clinicians without evaluation of their patient's conditions and possible contraindications on dangers in use, review of any applicable manufacturer's product information, and comparison with recommendations of other authorities.

The authors, contributors, and editorial staff have made every effort to contact holders of copyright to obtain permission to reproduce copyright material. However, if any permissions have been inadvertently overlooked, MEBN will be pleased to make the necessary and reasonable arrangements.

Certificate Fees

CE-TODAY offers FREE continuing education (CE) credits to recipients of the CD-ROM or the CE-TODAY journal. Enter the CE Code listed on the CD-ROM or in the journal when prompted. This free offer expires on May 26, 2007. All others will be assessed a $5.00 processing fee.