Ensuring the accuracy of your spirometry results: best practices for spirometer maintenance

Rule of thumb to ensure the accuracy of your spirometry results: regular and thorough maintenance of your spirometer. Here are a few best practices for spirometer maintenance that can help you extend the life of your device.

1. Spirometer maintenance: recommended regular procedures

Whether it is for remote patient data collection or during an in-office check-up, every time a spirometry test is performed, a clean flow-head should be used. This is necessary to avoid spreading infections caused by the accumulation of bacteria or pathogens within the components. Another good practice is to regularly clean the body of the device as well.

Cleaning the flow-head is a rather simple operation that can be performed in about half an hour with the use of warm water and a bleach solution, while the electronic unit can be cleaned with a damp cloth.

Should you need guidance for the maintenance of your MIR Spirometer, guides and presentation kits can be downloaded on our website.

1. Cleaning the turbine and mouthpiece

This is the most common practice for spirometer maintenance and can be performed in just a few steps.

1. First, you will need to separate the turbine and mouthpiece from the device body by rotating it counterclockwise.
2. Prepare a solution by mixing up of three quarters cup of Clorox™ bleach (7.5%) in one quart of water, then immerse the turbine in it. The mouthpiece can be placed in warm water instead.
3. Shake the sumberged turbine for about one minute in order to remove all the impurities and potential contaminants, then let it rest in the solution for about 15 minutes.
4. Shake the mouthpiece for 2-3 minutes, then let it rest in warm water.
5. Rinse the turbine and mouthpiece in clean water for about one minute.

IMPORTANT: do not place the turbine in running water, as it can cause damage to the unit.

1. Shake off the excess water and place the components to drain in vertical position on a paper towel. Remember to wear rubber gloves when handling them. You can then use a clean paper towel to completely dry the turbine and mouthpiece, so long as you are very careful not to damage the components.
2. Cleaning the electronic unit

The electronic unit can be cleaned with a damp cloth from the same Clorox dilution, then left to dry on a clean paper towel.

IMPORTANT: do not submerge the device in order to avoid damage to electronic and internal components.

1. Spirometer maintenance: when and how to do preventive maintenance

Preventive maintenance is a practice that helps prevent malfunctions or damages to your device, and should be performed annually. Preventive maintenance tests include a physical inspection of the device, electrical safety tests, internal cleaning and calibration. Unless you are an expert in the field, it is always advisable to rely on a professional to carry out all the necessary operations.

• Electrical safety tests will make sure that all the electrical components of your device do not pose a risk. This includes checks for damaged or exposed cables, as well as leakage current tests.
• Physical inspection of your spirometer will ensure that both the case and the accessories of your spirometers are not damaged or worn out. This also includes an inspection of the interface cable connections.
• Calibration tests are fundamental to ensure the data collected during your spirometry tests are reliable and accurate. They are generally performed by a physician or trained personnel. In case of repeated calibration failure, it may be necessary to replace the device.

Do you need assistance for preventive maintenance of your spirometer? Contact us!