Pulmonary Function Laboratories

Prime Healthcare’s Pulmonary Function Laboratories are located at 20 Isham Road, Suite 100, Hartford, CT 06107 and at 27 Sycamore Lane Suite 100, Glastonbury, CT 06033.

These diagnostic centers were established to enhance the medical practices of our pulmonary specialties by decreasing delay times in diagnosis when sending patients to outside laboratories. Our labs, located within the confines of our offices, offer:

Complete Pulmonary Function Testing
Arterial Blood Gas Analysis
Pulmonary Rehabilitation Services
Respiratory Therapy

The Pulmonary Function Tests are performed on a diagnostic analyzer. The test is administered and supervised by our Respiratory Therapists who have years of experience and specific training in pulmonary function testing. The test interpretation and clinical direction is provided by our five pulmonologists: John Rodgers MD, William Preskenis MD, David Grise MD, Brett Volpe MD and Tapas Bandyopadhyay, MD.

Pulmonary Function Testing is easy as well as very informative and gives the doctor the opportunity to understand how well or poorly patient’s lungs are functioning. Each test takes approximately one hour and is divided into different “sections” that measure different aspects of lung function. Most of the testing involves blowing into a machine to obtain measurements.

Pulmanary Lab Brochure

Indications for Pulmonary Function Testing

To aid in the evaluation of shortness of breath or cough
Pre-op evaluation of selected patients
Before Thoracic or Open Heart Surgery
Serial evaluations of COPD or other chronic lung diseases
Respiratory symptoms associated with chest wall/musculoskeletal diseases (including scoliosis or trauma)
After toxic exposures
Monitor damage due to tobacco usage
Occupational related lung evaluations
Monitor progression of deteriorating neurological diseases
To help evaluate abnormal CXR or CT scan reports
Monitor the toxic effects of some medications

In addition to testing, the Centers have respiratory therapist expertise to give advice and guidance to respiratory patients. A board certified Pulmonary Physician is present in the office during normal business hours. Education of our patients is a major portion of our approach.

Frequently Asked Questions

Click on a question below for the answer:

Q. What is a Pulmonary Function Test (PFT)?

Q. Why do I need a PFT?

Q. How long will the PFT take?

Q. What is the purpose of giving a patient helium gas?

Q. What is the difference between a regular blood test and an arterial blood gas?