We provide general respiratory services to patients, including respiratory function assessment, fibreoptic bronchoscopy, sleep monitoring, lung oncology and clinical management of all respiratory disorders.
Respiratory lab
The Respiratory Medicine and Sleep Disorders service provides general respiratory services to patients, including respiratory function assessment, fibreoptic bronchoscopy, sleep monitoring, lung oncology, as well as clinical management of all respiratory disorders.
We provide the following services:
- Respiratory function laboratory (including bronchial provocation, cardiopulmonary exercise testing and high altitude simulation test and home oxygen assessment service)
- Fibreoptic bronchoscopy with facilities for endoscopic bronchial ultrasound biopsy (EBUS)
- Pleural ultrasound and thoracocentesis
- Overnight oximetry and sleep monitoring (home and hospital based) and sleep disorders clinics
- Regular multidisciplinary meetings occur for asthma, pulmonary hypertension, interstitial lung disease including sarcoidosis and lung cancer
The RMH sleep service offers a variety of sleep tests including:
- Full in-lab polysomnography (PSG) - diagnostic/baseline study, treatment review and split studies (incorporating non-invasive therapy and TcCO2 monitoring) as well as Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT) and Maintenance of Wakefulness Test (MWT). Actigraphy studies can be conducted in conjunction with MSLT/MWT.
- Portable home based sleep studies include - Portable PSG, auto CPAP studies, overnight oximetery, and actigraphy.
Tests
Measures arterial oxygen (PaO2), carbon dioxide (PaCO2), and acidity (pH). Report usually includes carboxyhaemoglobin concentration (COHb%) as an index of recent smoking or inhaled CO exposure.
Measure of bronchial reactivity. Useful for assessing possible asthma, if symptoms and signs are equivocal.
EVH and Aridol are accepted as a surrogate for exercise induced asthma for elite athletes requiring approved asthma medications.
Standard assessment of gas diffusion to assess interstitial lung disease or loss of gas exchanging surface area (for example, emphysema).
Cycle testing to assess maximal oxygen uptake, maximal exercise capacity or presence of exercise induced asthma. To discuss test format, contact the Respiratory Laboratory.
Note: Exercise testing for diagnosis of ischaemic heart disease is performed either in Cardiology or Nuclear Medicine.
Measurement of exhaled carbon monoxide levels.
Measures inflammation in exhaled breath that indicates asthma activity.
Measurement of cutaneous oxygen saturation or arterial blood gases, breathing specific hypoxic mixture to simulate nominated altitudes.
Single-blind assessment of transcutaneous oxygen saturation with patient breathing either air or intranasal oxygen supplementation, during standardised corridor walk.
Required to assess eligibility for portable home oxygen.
Assessment of maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) and maximal expiratory pressure (MEP) to indicate respiratory muscle strength.
Obtains expectorated sputum for microbial and cytological testing.
Measurement of Total Lung Capacity (TLC), Functional Residual Capacity (FRC) and Residual Volume (RV) using either body plethysmograph or inert gas washout techniques.
Measurement of PaO2 before and after 100% oxygen breathing, to assess presence of significant veno-arterial shunting.
Application of small amounts of allergen into the skin to identify specific allergic tendencies.
To diagnose the presence of sleep-disordered breathing (snoring, obstructive apnoea, central apnoea and hypopnea), nocturnal hypoventilation, excessive daytime somnolence and other sleep disorders (such as parasomnia, periodic limb movement and narcolepsy).
Routine testing for Vital Capacity and Forced inspiratory and expiratory flows. Provides first line assessment for airways obstruction, response to bronchodilator, or restrictive conditions.
Level 1 Centre
300 Grattan St, Parkville, Victoria