Respiratory system diagnostics of children is still quite undeveloped in Poland. There is still long way to go when it comes to equipping paediatric pulmonology wards with modern equipment, especially devices used to perform pulmonary function tests. What the Foundation aims to do is to change the current situation and institute a nationwide network of centres providing diagnosis and treatment of respiratory system. Creating such a network will ensure that the access to modern treatment is more easily available to families living in different parts of the country.
Pulmonary function tests are meant to determine how the respiratory system is functioning, whether and to what extent it is affected by disease, and to determine the effect of treatment. You might have heard about spirometry, which is the first step in performing the pulmonary function tests. Spirometry does not paint the full picture of lungs' condition. Moreover, this test is not an easy examination and it still is not readily available everywhere in the country. Other function tests include body plethysmography, lung diffusion tests, lung oscillometry tests, and breath tests for nitric oxide in exhaled air. These tests allow doctors to figure out the condition of the patient's respiratory system.
When it comes to paediatrics, the key to successful diagnosis lies in non-invasive tests, which can be continually repeated in order to check patients' condition over time. The support Polish medicine has received from the GOCC Foundation will soon be visible in the way we are able to diagnose and treat the youngest patients suffering with respiratory system diseases. Nationwide network of pulmonology clinics will provide patients with modern treatment methods, establishing a consistent standard of treatment and diagnosis, and it should enable specialists to exchange experiences.
Last week, a training course for candidates certified by the American Heart Association (AHA) and applying to become GOCC instructors took place at the Szadowo-Młyn GOCC Training Centre as part of the "CPR for Schools" educational program.
