Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
4 Pt 1
pubmed:dateCreated
1996-6-10
pubmed:abstractText
We designed a system for a multiyear longitudinal study of lung function in 12 widely separated communities, intending to minimize variation in instrument-related data. We used multiple rolling-seal spirometer/personal computer systems. Calibrations were checked before, during, and after each day's field testing, using multiple calibration syringes with electronic readouts. The syringes were rotated to obtain data for each syringe-spirometer combination. Before and after each annual field testing season, a laboratory reference spirometer system was calibrated against a water-displacement device and an electronic frequency counter, and then compared against each field spirometer and syringe. Field equipment consistently met American Thoracic Society (ATS) specifications. Variance among spirometers exceeded variance among syringes. A spirometer occasionally changed its volume readout by approximately 1 to 2 %. More rarely, a syringe changed its delivered volume by approximately 1%. Syringes' electronic readouts tracked changes in delivered volume. Syringe readouts were the most stable component of the system, and were more reproducible than the laboratory water-displacement calibration. We conclude that variation in spirometers may limit the reliability of epidemiologic findings, even when these spirometers meet ATS specifications. Frequent calibration checks traceable to an independent standard, and adjustment of individual test results, can reduce measurement error.
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
AIM
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Apr
pubmed:issn
1073-449X
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:volume
153
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
1309-13
pubmed:dateRevised
2006-11-15
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
1996
pubmed:articleTitle
Standardization of multiple spirometers at widely separated times and places.
pubmed:affiliation
Environmental Health Service, Rancho Los Amigos Medical Center, Downey, California, USA.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't