2022 Volume 71 Issue 1 Pages 112-119
In this study, we examined the impact of the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on pulmonary function tests (PFTs) in Hokkaido. We conducted a questionnaire survey involving 160 institutions to which members of the Hokkaido Association of Medical Technologists belong. In 122 institutions (73.5%), the number of PFTs conducted decreased in 2020 compared with that in 2019. The decrease was mostly observed for PFTs before operation and for annual check. In 95 (57.2%) institutions, PFTs for nonessential and nonurgent cases were restricted. To prevent the spread of COVID-19 infection, 126 (78.8%) institutions performed sterilization, 120 (75.0%) measured body temperature at the entrance, 136 (85.0%) had their medical staff wear surgical masks, and 121 (75.6%) had their staff wear face shields or/and goggles in addition to masks. The impact of the outbreak of COVID-19 on PFTs was huge, and it became evident that a number of institutions were still obliged to restrict the number of PFTs. A guideline for PFTs with infection control measures is required in times of an outbreak of COVID-19.
