Spirometry tests have become a common type of test among employers conducting pre-employment assessments. While there are distinct ways used by different employers, one popular and reliable method is the use of an incentive spirometer.

An incentive spirometer is basically a small, handheld breathing tool that is used to measure the lung health of the person. This device assesses respiratory health based on the volume of air that a person inhales into their lungs. You will find this kind of device commonly used after surgery, or during recovery from a respiratory illness, or in times of shallow breathing with reduced mobility.

It’s not the same as a spirometry test, but both use similar principles for ensuring adequate lung expansion and better airflow. Incentive spirometers are often a part of workplace health and occupational settings, used to support return-to-work programs, in post-surgical recoveries, or in monitoring the respiratory well-being of employees who have been away for a long time due to serious lung-related health issues.

There are several health clinics with occupational health service professionals who can help you with this type of test. Knight Health is one such clinic based in 8 locations across Australia that offers a comprehensive range of pre-employment medical assessments. We have a team of professionals who can offer reliable and accurate health results with a fast turnaround time. Partnering with us helps employers save time and effort when assessing candidate health and supporting workforce wellbeing. Whether you are making a new hire or monitoring the long-term health of existing staff, our occupational health services provide clear, reliable insights to help you make informed decisions.

What Is an Incentive Spirometer: Meaning and Benefits

An incentive spirometer is a basic, plastic medical device that gives exercise to your lungs. It’s a small device, about the size of a soda bottle, that can be held in one hand. Healthcare professionals usually recommend using it during spirometry tests or after an illness, injury, or surgery in the chest.

Some key benefits of using an incentive spirometer include:

  • The regular use of an incentive spirometer can help expand your lungs and improve your lung strength.
  • It also helps improve respiratory health after an illness or injury and promotes deep and full breathing instead of short and shallow breaths.
  • It can help recover from anesthesia quickly after surgery, loosen mucus from the lungs, and prevent other complications in lung health, like pneumonia.

Correct Way to Use an Incentive Spirometer

There is a usage guide for every device, and so is there for an incentive spirometer. To ensure proper use of this device, follow these steps correctly:

  1. The medical provider will give a goal number to set on the device. Set the yellow indicator on the side to that number to help you know how deeply you need to breathe.
  2. Sit on the edge of your bed, chair, or sofa and sit upright.
  3. Now hold the incentive spirometer upright in your hands.
  4. Place the mouthpiece of the device in your mouth and seal it with your lips so that no air escapes.
  5. Now breathe in as slowly and as deeply as possible into the device. This will show an indication in the incentive spirometer with the yellow piston going towards the top of the column. The target is to make the yellow piston reach the blue outlined mark.
  6. Hold your breath for as long as you can or for a minimum of 5 seconds and breathe out slowly, allowing the piston to come back to the bottom of the column.
  7. Rest for a few seconds and then repeat these steps again for at least 5-10 times each hour that you are awake. Consider this as an exercise machine for your lungs.

Why Choose Knight Health for Respiratory Health Test

Amongst the comprehensive occupational health services offered by Knight Health, ensuring respiratory wellbeing in the workplace is one of them. The spirometry test services offered by our professionals help employers prepare baseline lung function data and monitor respiratory health by comparing these reports over time.

You must choose our health clinic for medical assessments for the following benefits:

  • Access to a range of our pre-employment assessments, ranging from ECG tests, hearing tests, to drug and alcohol testing, spirometry tests, audiometry tests, and many more.
  • Accurate spirometry tests conducted by experienced and qualified occupational health service providers.
  • We don’t provide off-the-shelf solutions, but our medical assessments are tailored to your specific business needs and candidate health.
  • Our professionals ensure compliance with the health and wellness standards of Australia to meet the workplace health and safety regulations.
  • We provide on-site services across our 8 convenient clinic locations and also provide mobile testing services.

Final Thoughts

Using an incentive spirometer is one of the simplest, low-cost, yet effective methods of supporting strong lung function and respiratory health. It’s not there to replace spirometry tests, but there to complement them and other occupational health programs.

Ensure the right use of an incentive spirometer and integrate it into your broader health recovery plans with Knight Health.