North York Pulmonary Function Center opened in 2008 at its current location and provides comprehensive pulmonary function testing services. North York Pulmonary Function Center specializes in diagnostics of a broad spectrum of respiratory diseases, such as asthma, COPD, pulmonary fibrosis, other causes of lung restriction, and pulmonary hypertension. We are capable of performing oximetry at rest and with exercise as part of dyspnea assessment. Realizing that many patients with asthma may have normal pulmonary function tests, we also expanded our services to provide methacholine challenge testing for assessment of airway hyper-reactivity.
Our facility also boasts some of the most experienced people in the industry, including three hospital based respirologists and five highly qualified hospital based technicians.
Our facility aims to provide our patients with the highest quality care in a convenient location and in a timely manner. We offer free parking, weekend and evening hours, in addition to rapid test interpretation.
For testing, have your doctor complete a referral form and fax it to us at 416-636-8999. We will then contact you directly to book the pulmonary function testing appointment. Please be sure to check specific test instructions to be prepared for your appointment. Failure to follow instructions may result in your appointment being rescheduled.
Reminder List
- Must bring a VALID HEALTH CARD and ALL MEDICATIONS they are currently taking.
- If Health Card is not valid or expired, uninsured visit charges will apply.
- Must bring a translator if the patient cannot speak English
- Patients who wish to RESCHEDULE or CANCEL their appointment must do so at least 3 business days in advance to avoid a NO-SHOW fee of $113.
Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at 416-636-6664.
The North York Pulmonary Function Center offers the following services. Click on a tab to learn more:
Respirology Consultation
Prior to any procedure at North York Pulmonary Function Centre, patients must come in for a consultation, unless otherwise specified by the referring physician. These consultations are only available once a referral letter has been received. Please be ready to discuss all medical history at this consultation and remember to bring a list of all current medications. If pulmonary function testing is required, a test date will be booked and the patient will recieve an explanation of the procedure.
Complete PFT
A pulmonary function test is a complete test for diagnosing lung diseases (like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease- COPD).
A complete PFT test includes Pre/Post Bronchodilator, Spirometry, Diffusion Capacity, Lung Volume and Resting Oximetry tests. A complete PFT measures how well patient’s lungs work, measures air flow, the affect of medication on their lungs. For all the general tests, the patient will be asked to perform a series of forced and relaxed breathing maneuvers. If requested by physician, a medication that opens you airways will be prescribed.
Most of these tests are very quick and easy and all of them are non-invasive and low risk. The complete test may take up to 60 minutes to complete.
Please do not take any breathing medication for 12 hours prior to tests. If symptomatic and need breathing medication, take it as you normally would, and advise the Pulmonary Technician at the appointment. Take all your other medications as usual.
The patient will be asked to sign a consent form prior to starting the test.
If you are having this procedure please make sure to read the information sheet with further details found here.
Spirometry
Spirometry is a very quick and simple test for diagnosing lung disease. This takes about 15 minutes to perform.
The test involves inhaling followed by forcefully exhaling for as long as the patient can into a mouthpiece attached to a spirometer. The patient will first be asked to breathe normally into the mouthpiece followed by taking deeper breaths. This will measure how much air can be held in their lungs, how fast they can blow air out and how well their lungs use oxygen to remove carbon dioxide from the blood. The patient will be asked to wear a nose clip during the test to ensure no air escapes through their nasal passage.
Do not eat a heavy meal before the test and refrain from smoking at least 4 hours prior to the test. Doctor will inform you if you need to stop using inhalers before the test.
Spirometry tests are the most common form of lung test and are completely non-invasive and safe.
If you are having this procedure please make sure to read the information sheet with further details found here.
Resting Oximetry
For a resting oximetry test, a sensor will be placed on either patient’s fingertip or earlobe that measures the Oxygen level in the blood. The sensor sends a light beam through the finger or earlobe and it measures how much of the light is being distorted to calculate how much oxygen is in the blood stream. When there are different levels of oxygen in the blood, the color of the blood changes. This change is picked up by the oximetry test and gives the physician valuable information about your respiratory system.
This is a painless and non-invasive test, which takes about 15 minutes.
If you are having this procedure please make sure to read the information sheet with further details found here.
Exercise Oximetry
An Exercise Oximetry test is issued if physician wants to see the affect of physical activity to patient’s oxygen level. Patient will first take a Resting Oximetry test to get a reading on their oxygen level before the physical activity. Patients will then go on a treadmill or walk for about 20 minutes while taking a reading of their oxygen level. If the oxygen level drops significantly, the physician may request the test be performed again.
This is a non-invasive test with very few risks.
Please remember to bring appropriate clothes and shoes for physical activity.
If you are having this procedure please make sure to read the information sheet with further details found here.
Pre/Post Bronchodilator
Pre/Post Bronchodilator testing evaluates a patient’s lung capacity before and after taking Bronchodilator medication. This test is often given to people with asthma or Chronic Obstruction Pulmonary Disease.
For this test, a patient first completes a normal spirometry test (see above). The patient is then given bronchodilator medication and the spirometry is performed again. This way physicians can measure the difference between the two tests results.
Please note that we administer Ventolin as the bronchodilator medication by default. If Atrovent is preferred please let us know.
If you are having this procedure please make sure to read the information sheet with further details found here.
Methacholine Challenge Testing
Description of Test
Methacholine is a preparation that is a known irritant to the airways. It may cause the airways to tighten when inhaled. This will assist the physician in determining what is causing patient’s breathing problems. The test will show how ‘sensitive’ the patient’s airways are. The test involves breathing in methacholine for two minutes, then testing the patient’s lung function. This may be repeated up to 10 times. This is a safe procedure that may take up to 60 minutes to complete.
Instructions
- 48 hours before the test do not take any inhaled breathing medication.
- 12 hours before the test do not take any other types of breathing medications.
- On the day of the test avoid any caffeine.
If you are having this procedure please make sure to read the information sheet with further details found here.
MIP/MEP Testing
This test measures maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP) and maximum expiratory pressure (MEP). It determines if the diaphragms and other breathing muscles are working well and can inflate and deflate the lungs to move air in and out of the lungs. The test involves making maximum breathing in and breathing out efforts against a closed valve. It is non-invasive, safe, and quick.
