Pulmonary Function Testing (PFT) is an important tool used to detect and diagnose many types of lung problems including:

• Asthma
• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
• Emphysema
• Chronic Bronchitis

There are two main lung abnormalities, obstructive and restrictive defects. Air flow and volume of air out of the lungs are the two basic components measured during a pulmonary function test. Basically if flow is impeded, the defect may be obstructive and if volume is reduced, a restrictive defect may be the reason for the pulmonary disorder.

Procedure

A Pulmonary Function Test is a painless noninvasive test that measures a patient's ability to move air in and out of the lungs. The patient is asked to take the deepest breath they can, and then blow out (exhale) as hard as possible and for as long as possible into a sensor that measures the time and the amount of air exhaled. The patient may also be asked to hold their breath at some point during the test.

Our Lab

At Forest Hills Hospital we have a Pulmonary Function Testing Lab dedicated to outpatient testing and available to area residents. In order to have a pulmonary function test done, you need a prescription from your referring physician. For an appointment or more information please call: (718) 830-1382

Department Goal

Our Respiratory Therapy Department goal at Forest Hills Hospital is to provide the highest quality of respiratory care in this vastly changing healthcare environment.

Director

Charles Catanzaro, RRT
Service Location
Respiratory Care Department
Forest Hills Hospital
102-01 66th Road, 8th Floor
Forest Hills, NY 11375