Mobile Spirometry Unit
Since its launch in January 2007, the Mobile Spirometry Unit (MSU) has had tremendous success spreading the word about COPD in conjunction with the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute’s COPD Learn More Breathe Better Campaign.
The Accomplishments
In 2007, the MSU held 24 events in 16 cities and offered 10,152 free spirometries (lung tests) to individuals attending health fairs and senior expos across the U.S. In May, the MSU was featured in the Wall Street Journal and in several local newspapers, and throughout the summer it was covered in several prime-time news programs at local NBC and ABC television stations. Its resounding appearance at health expos and on the road has reached over 7 million individuals since the program first began. COPD awareness is spreading with the help of the trailer’s glossy exterior, capturing the attention of other travelers on the road with the question written in bold: “COPD: Are you at risk?”
“The MSU has surpassed all of our expectations for the goals we set for the first year of the program,” said John McGuire, MSU Project Manager. “We thought if we could reach 2,500 to 3,000 people during the year we would consider that a successful year. When we completed the NBC Health and Fit Expo in Columbus, Ohio on October 6th and 7th, our record surpassed our expectations, testing close to 10,000 people nationwide.”
The MSU has also made several special appearances at different events, including the Chicago Hike for Lung Health on September 23rd. “It makes a big statement about the importance of testing our lungs even for those who are already respiratory patients,” said Pam DeNardo, a volunteer for the C.O.P.D. Information Line, about the MSU’s presence at the Hike.
John McGuire has spoken with past health fair attendees who have told him their story about how their lives have changed after taking a simple spirometry test at the booth. “Many individuals have commented on how they have learned more in the past 10 minutes with the respiratory therapist than they have in the past 3 to 5 years,” said John. “This makes us feel good about what we are doing, and about the quality education that we are providing at these events.”
In August 2008, the MSU offered spirometry at the Durham Bulls Minor League baseball game in North Carolina. Click here to listen to John McGuire being interviewed at the game, and click here to listen to an interview with Dr. James Donohue during the Bulls television broadcast.
Facts about the MSU
The MSU provides free lung testing by respiratory therapists. Individuals getting tested include those with symptoms of COPD and those at-risk for COPD. The lung test is performed by a spirometer : a machine you blow into that records the total air flow and lung volume of each individual, determining the overall health of your lungs. (To read more on what taking a spirometry test is like, visit the Getting Tested article in the Patient & Caregivers section of this website.) Your test results will be written on a score card by your RT to take to your doctor. The score card also lists information for your doctor if he/she wishes to order further testing.
The MSU travels to health expos, senior fairs, state and county fairs, and other events across the nation. The MSU not only offers free lung testing, but also supplies a number of free brochures to those who attend.
The American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) partnered with the COPD Foundation to provide this service free to the public.
Find out if the MSU is coming near you
To see where the MSU will be next, visit the schedule. You can also request the MSU show up at your health expo, senior fair, state or county fair, or other event by calling the C.O.P.D. Information Line at 1-866-316-COPD (2673), or by emailing John McGuire at .
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