30 Oct 20
Since transmission of Corona virus is mostly by contact, during lung function procedures transmission can occur also via aerosolised respiratory secretions (during cough and sneezing).
Spirometry test often generate aerosols in the form of droplets due to patients coughing and therefore pose a considerable risk for the spread of infection to individuals and surrounding surfaces within and around the test areas even in asymptomatic patients.1
For those who cannot switch to Remote Patient Monitoring and Homecare but still need a physical presence of the patient in the healthcare facilities, the ERS and many other Respiratory Associations worldwide do recommend additional safety precautions during testing.
MIR devices have been designed to minimize the risk of infection. This include:
MIR devices are compatible with the use of in-line filters as recommended by the ERS statement on lung function during COVID-19. Use of high bacterial/viral filtration efficiency filters ensures device protection, avoids cross-contamination and protects patient and healthcare personnel from aerosolized droplets in the environment.
It is possible to make spirometry tests by using a compatible antibacterial antiviral filter and it does not affect the spirometry test results. The filter can be plugged in directly to the turbine sensor flowmeter. For a more comfortable test, it is possible to plug a cardboard mouthpiece to the antiviral filter. The filter also allows a bidirectional measurement for a full expiration and inspiration spirometry test.
Here is a brief video to show you more about MIR disposable set:
The disposable set in the video is make up by a flowMIR disposable turbine without mouthpiece (code 910001.) + disposable anti-viral filter (code 910203) + disposable paper mouthpiece (code 910300).
A Bluetooth module is always included and already installed on the following MIR models: Spirolab, Spirodoc, Spirobank II Advanced and Spirobank II Smart. All these model can perform FVC, VC, MVV, PRE/POST test and Oximetry test (SpO2%, Pulse BPM).
A Bluetooth wireless connection can be established between the Spirometer, the Oximeter and a PC or a Tablet. The patient can perform a test sitting on a medical bed or into a separate medical room, while the Healthcare professional can follow the test in real time on a PC or a Tablet, keeping a safety distance.
This solution can avoid direct interaction between healthcare workers and patients being tested. Operators can follow the test up to 10 meters far from the patient, even from a separate room and directly on their PC or Tablet.
More about the filters supplied by MIR
The filter supplied by MIR is a class IIa medical device, which meets the requirements of standard 2 Annex IX of the medical device directive 93/42 and standard 5 Annex VIII MDR 2017 / 745. Therefore, it is possible to declare that the Antibacterial and Antiviral filter supplied by MIR can be inserted into the patient's mouth.
The filters supplied by MIR offer a high level of antibacterial and antiviral protection. The table below demonstrate the strong antibacterial and antiviral capacity of the filter. Although some resistance is generated that is impossible to avoid, the structure of the filter and its composition make this impedance irrelevant for the purposes of an accurate Spirometry test.
To guarantee the correct level of disinfection of MIR devices, users must carefully follow the reprocessing instructions reported in MIR user manuals. Such instructions are applicable to reduce the risk of contamination also during COVID-19 pandemic.
1- Source: ERS 9.1 Statement on lung function during COVID-19 Final with Contributors
Portable Spirometer for Tablet and PC
