Chattanooga Veterans see expansion of health care services
For the first time, Veterans in the Chattanooga area will see a new, expanded service at the Pointe Center VA Clinic.
Tennessee Valley Healthcare System (TVHS) Respiratory Service saw its first patient May 17 at the Pointe Center VA Clinic in Chattanooga to conduct pulmonary function testing, a group of tests that assess how well the lungs work by measuring lung volume, capacity, rates of flow, and gas exchange.
"Veterans in and around the Chattanooga area no longer have to travel to Murfreesboro or Nashville for testing," said Chief of Respiratory Care said. "Our goal is to offer this service five days a week at the Pointe Center VA Clinic."
Currently, Veterans can receive pulmonary services on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at the Pointe Center location. The service is offered Monday - Friday at the Nashville and Alvin C. York VA Medical Centers.
At TVHS, pulmonary tests include testing methods called spirometry, plethysmography, and diffusing capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide (DCLO) testing. Spirometry is the most common of the pulmonary function tests. It measures lung function, specifically the amount and speed of air that can be inhaled and exhaled. It's useful for identifying asthma and COPD. Plethysmography measures changes in volume in different areas of the body and is crucial for detection of blood flow changes and blood clots.
For additional information about this new clinic offering at the Pointe Centre VA Clinic, talk to your primary care provider.