Digital technologies for applying algorithms to spirometry to support asthma and COPD diagnosis in primary care and community diagnostic centres: early-use assessment

Can be used

NICE has said that ArtiQ.Spiro can be used in the NHS to apply algorithms to spirometry to support asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) diagnosis in primary care and community diagnostic centres.

ArtiQ.Spiro should only be used after a clinical assessment and with clinical oversight from a healthcare professional to make the final diagnosis.

The NHS is collecting more evidence for this technology. You might be asked if details of your treatment can be collected as evidence. You can ask your healthcare professional about how your information will be stored and used.

More research is needed

NICE has said that EasyOne Connect and LungHealth can be used only as part of a research study to apply algorithms to spirometry to support asthma and COPD diagnosis in primary care and community diagnostic centres.

How these technologies work

The technologies in this early-use assessment apply a step-by-step set of rules or calculations (algorithms) that check the quality of spirometry tests and help interpret results and guide diagnostic decisions. The aim is to support healthcare professionals to accurately diagnose asthma and COPD in primary care and community diagnostic centres, and to avoid false positive and false negative diagnoses.

A false positive diagnosis is when a person is incorrectly diagnosed with a condition they do not have. They may then be offered treatment they do not need, which could be harmful.

A false negative diagnosis is when a person does have a condition but it is missed, so they are not offered the treatment that they need.

Is this technology right for me?

Your healthcare professionals should give you clear information, talk with you about your options and listen carefully to your views and concerns. Your family can be involved too, if you wish. See our webpage on shared decision making.

Questions to think about

• How well does it work compared with spirometry without the technology?
• What are the risks? How likely are they?
• What happens if I do not want to have the tests?
• Can I choose where to have this test? Can I have this test at my local clinic or hospital?
• How long will the test take?
• Will I need, or be offered, sedation or anaesthesia?
• Will I be able to drive to and from the appointment?
• How do I get my test results? Will there be a follow-up appointment?

Information and support

The NHS webpage on asthma and the NHS webpage on COPD may be good places to find out more.

Asthma and Lung UK (01628 890199) can give you advice and support.

You can also get support from your local Healthwatch.

NICE is not responsible for the quality or accuracy of any information or advice provided by these organisations.

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