Anesthesia Update - New Outpatient Spirometry Ordering Workflows

Enhancement updates provide short alerts to new, fixed or improved Connect Care functions...

• Anesthesia Update - New Outpatient Spirometry Ordering Workflows

As of January 27, 2026, there will be a few changes to how to order spirometry to be performed in an outpatient clinic, replacing the previous workflow of ordering an Ambulatory Referral to Respiratory Therapy.  

• "Spirometry POC" - New order available for point of care testing at the patient's bedside, for sites that page a Respiratory Therapist.
• "Spirometry - without bronchodilator" and "Spirometry - with bronchodilator" - Updated orders will have an appointment request built in, no need for a referral to accompany the procedure order, procedure to be scheduled at respiratory therapy clinic. 
• Note: The "Spirometry - with bronchodilator" order is available only in the "Spirometry with Bronchodilator w/ meds Panel (AMB)", with accompanying medication orders that will be signed and held for release by the Respiratory Therapist during testing.

There are no changes to ordering spirometry to be performed on an inpatient or in a Pulmonary Function Lab.  

For details, see the updated CMIO tip sheet. The new Allied Health quick start guide also has further details on the different spirometry orders (note the link may not be live until closer to the change date).

• Tip: Anesthetists Ordering Ambulatory Respiratory Pre-Operative Labs/Testing
• Guide: Spirometry Quick Start Guide