The Pulmonary Function Laboratory at Baystate Medical Center uses pulmonary function tests (PFTs) to measure how well your lungs are working. The results of these tests guide your rehabilitation and treatment plan. PFTs are also called lung function tests.
Lung function tests include:
- Spirometry, which measures the amount of air you breathe out
- Plethysmography test, which measures the volume of gas in your lungs (lung volume)
- Diffusion capacity test, which measures how well the air sacks inside your lungs (alveoli) work
Your doctor may also suggest cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) to help determine reasons for shortness of breath.
We offer different phases of pulmonary rehabilitation, based on our needs and goals. Your rehab may include an inpatient phase, an outpatient program of education and exercise, and an ongoing program of medically supervised exercise.
Baystate Pediatric Pulmonology is a Cystic Fibrosis Care Center. This means the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation has assessed our program and determined it offers the best care, treatment, and support for children with cystic fibrosis (CF).
Our pediatric pulmonary experts work closely with your family to help you understand CF and how to manage it. We can teach your family homecare tips and airway clearance techniques. We can also connect you to community resources and help you arrange for home respiratory equipment.
If your doctor has recommended supplemental oxygen, Baystate can help you complete an evaluation for oxygen in your home.
Our program includes the only outpatient clinic in western Massachusetts that provides care to patients with a permanent tracheostomy.
We offer one-on-one support to help you take control of your asthma. If you want to understand your triggers, how to use your inhaler, or when to call your doctor, Baystate can help. We can also work with you to create an asthma action plan.
Baystate offers education and support for most pulmonary conditions. This can include tips for using your asthma medication properly, breathing training, preventive care, and quitting smoking support.
Our specialists are also here to help you learn the best way to clear your lungs, which can prevent lung infection and help you breathe better. Pulmonary specialists can help you learn the most effective airway clearance techniques.
A simple walking test can help us understand your overall condition. It’s also a way to measure progress in pulmonary rehabilitation. The 6-minute walk test (6MWT) is often used with people who have serious heart or lung (cardiopulmonary) disease, including COPD.
When your doctor needs to see the inside of the airways of your lungs, they’ll do a flexible bronchoscopy.
During this visual exam, doctors place a thin tube-like instrument through the nose or mouth and down into the lungs.
We use bronchoscopies to look for the cause of an infection, an abnormal “spot” on the lung, an airway blockage, bleeding, or noisy breathing, or to check on transplanted lungs.