There is no interpretation on the Spirometry report, and one of the following errors may appear in the interpretation section:
'Unable to perform automatic interpretation because: Predicted FEV1/FVC is not available or valid.'
'Unable to perform automatic interpretation because: An acceptable pre-bronchodilator FVC test is not available.
The interpretation will not show for a few reasons:
The interpretation usually is not being displayed due limited information to generate the predicted values for this patient. Predicted values require the R.A.S.H data (Race, Age, Sex, Height) to be entered for the patient. All of those fields must be entered to get predicted values so that the program can produce an automatic interpretation.
If using IQmark Workstation:
See article HOW TO - Reanalyze Spirometer Report to Reflect Changes with Patient R.A.S.H.
If using an Electronic Medical Record:
Please make sure to enter in patient's R.A.S.H. before beginning the test; you will not likely be able to make the same changes within an EMR once the test is performed
Note: Upon entering the test, look for the red dotted lines on the graphs. If no red dotted lines appear, then stop the test and verify the R.A.S.H values are entered. See the red dotted lines on the image below.
To produce an interpretation, the program will require at least one accepted maneuver in order to generate an automatic interpretation.
If no tests are accepted during the testing procedure, then no interpretation can be made. Please make sure the patient performs the desired amount of acceptable maneuvers to generate an interpretation.
If NHANESIII protocol is being used for the predicted values and interpretation, then the test will require an expiratory time of at least 6 seconds in order to generate predicted values.
Verify the patient is blowing out for at least 6 seconds in this situation. During the test one can verify the time by making sure the top graph has passed the 6 second mark on the X-axis, see image below.
Note: The spirometer can interpret from age 4 if using Polgar-Pediatric protocol, and up to age 91 if using Crapo-Adult protocol.
Note: Some EMRs also require weight to be entered, although it will have no bearing on the interpretation.