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Covid-19 and spirometry: is it time for a change?
  • +2
  • Angela Klain,
  • Cristiana Indolfi,
  • Giulio Dinardo,
  • Fabio Decimo,
  • Michele Miraglia del Giudice
Angela Klain
University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Cristiana Indolfi
University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli
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Giulio Dinardo
University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli
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Fabio Decimo
University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli
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Michele Miraglia del Giudice
University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli
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Abstract

The Covid-19 pandemic has caused the closure of many clinics and wards, some of which have been equipped for the management and care of ill patients. In the last year, many countries have adopted a common plan to contain hospital infections by limiting the execution of respiratory function tests (TFR), including spirometry, exclusively to urgent / necessary cases. All the recommendations of the major scientific societies regarding the use of spirometry in the Covid era were formulated in spring 2020, in the initial stages of the pandemic. Currently, the continuous acquisition of knowledge about Covid-19 and the vaccination of healthcare personnel, allows us to face a new phase of the pandemic, in which it is possible for us to adapt our lifestyle and health procedures in order to reduce the risk of contagion in the hospital setting. In the following article, we have reported the recommendations of major international and national respiratory societies, emphasizing the need for a review considering new scientific advances. In addition, we shared our work experience at the Pediatric Respiratory Disease Clinic of University of Campania ‘Luigi Vanvitelli’ during the last months of the pandemic.