Resp Care
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The largest change in spirometric pulmonary function testing in the last 10 years has been the introduction of the digital computer for data acquisition and reduction. Computer-assisted spirometry can enhance the effectiveness of spirometric testing by increasing test accuracy, increasing patient acceptance, and decreasing the time necessary to complete the test and its interpretation. Any computer-assisted spirometer should be easy to use and should clearly display and properly report test results. I recommend that the American Thoracic Society Standards for spirometric testing be used by pulmonary function laboratories and that test interpretation made by a computer be verified.