An Evaluation of the Accuracy of the Ohmeda 5410 Spirometer

Abstract

We evaluated the accuracy of the Ohmeda 5410 spirometer. Methods: To evaluate the device's Adult Mode, we had the Ohmeda and a Collins Tissot spirometer simultaneously measure four different test signals from an Emerson IMV ventilator. To evaluate the Ohmeda's Pediatric Mode, we used three different test signals from the Emerson. Ten Ohmeda sensors were studied. To evaluate the Ohmeda's Respiratory Assessment Mode, we had each of 5 Ohmeda sensors make 5 measurements of each of 9 different test signals from a Dixie TTL Training Test Lung and a 10th signal generated by a healthy male volunteer. The Ohmeda measurements were compared to simultaneous measurements made by a Collins 8-L Stead-Wells spirometer. Results: There was good overall correlation and acceptable agreement between the Ohmeda 5410 and the Collins spirometers. Although there were statistically significant differences between the Ohmeda and the Collins for some test signals, these differences were usually too small to be clinically important. There was better agreement for rate and tidal volume in the Adult Mode than in the Pediatric Mode, and there was also better agreement between the Ohmeda and the Collins for FVC and FEV, than for PEF. The Ohmeda underestimated V_T in the Pediatric Mode. We also found the precision of the Ohmeda 5410 to be acceptable. Conclusion: The accuracy and precision of the Ohmeda 5410 spirometer are adequate for bedside assessment of repiratory therapy, and we believe it is useful in that role.