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A New Service at Magic Valley Regional Medical Center to Help Fight Respiratory Diseases
Magic
Valley Regional Medical Center has opened a new pulmonary function-testing
lab to better diagnose diseases and illnesses of the airways
and lungs. Lung function tests, like those available in the new
lab, evaluate how much air a patient's lungs can hold, how quickly
they can move air in and out of their lungs, and how well the
lungs add oxygen to the blood and remove carbon dioxide from
the blood.
"Not only do these tests help us diagnose lung diseases, they also measure the severity of lung problems that prevent patients from breathing normally," said Dr. Robert Lobb. Once we have the results of tests, we're able to begin comprehensive treatment to improve the patient's quality of life."
"Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, emphysema, and other lung diseases will benefit from this new lab," said Dr. Ronald Fullmer. "It's a service that hasn't been available this completely in the past."
One addition to the new lab is the Autobox, a device used to measure total lung volume. To be tested, a patient will sit inside a booth and breathe through a mouthpiece while pressure and airflow measurements are collected. "The Autobox provides more testing capabilities and a more comfortable environment for the patient," said Joe Reeves, Director of Magic Valley Regional's Cardiopulmonary Services. "The test is also faster, which means less time in the booth, reducing the closed-in feeling associated with other systems."
Testing at the new lab is available by appointment after consultation with a physician. Talk to your doctor if you feel you could benefit from this type of testing. If you do not have a regular physician, contact Magic Valley Regional's Community Connection for a referral at 208-737-2065.