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

Abstract

Background: Recommendations were developed for pulmonary function test (PFT) laboratories during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. However, it is unknown whether these recommendations are effective and safe. Aim of the study: To assess how effective and safe the recommendations for PFT laboratories were during the COVID-19 pandemic. Material and methods: This is a single-center, questionnaire-based study performed between June and August of 2020 at the Akdeniz University hospital. We performed the questionnaire over the phone with technicians from different centers in Turkey. We asked the age, gender, years on the job, routines performed during the pandemic, how many PFTs per day they performed, features of the test room, use of personnel protective equipment, whether they performed triage before the test, and the results of those who had a COVID 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%) were located in tertiary hospitals. At the beginning of the pandemic, 65 (94.2%) centers closed for an average of 2.15 months. The average number of tests performed per day was 14.41 ± 11.88. All centers triaged patients before performing the tests. In 19 (27.5%) centers, a transparent nylon separator was placed between the patient and the technician. Two (0.27 %) technicians tested positive for COVID using PCR testing. Among the 12 (16.2%) technicians screened for COVID-19 antibodies, none of them were found to have COVID-19 antibodies. Conclusion: The recommendations for PFT laboratories seemed to be effective and safe, and the adherence to these recommendations by the technicians was optimal.