Implementation of a Telespirometry System in Primary Health Care Units in Brazil

<bold>Background:</bold> Spirometry is essential in the diagnosis and follow-up of patients with non-communicable chronic respiratory diseases (NCRDs), but still is poorly available in Primary Health Care Units (PHCU). Objective: To describe the implementation of telespirometry (TS) in PHCU in 150 Brazilian cities. Methods: This is initiative between the Ministry of Health of Brazil and the Telehealth Center of the Hospital das Clínicas of UFMG/EBSERH. The project comprised several stages: Composition of the team and selection of municipalities; Selection of spirometry and development of software for transmission; implementation of the TS system in the municipalities, training of PHCU staff and pulmonologists to use it; development of the virtual and on-site training for technicians in spirometry; monitoring: periodic re-training and interim evaluation of TS, including number and quality of the tests, and evaluation of the reports issued. Results: 150 municipalities in Brazil were selected. Since the TS implementation, over 15.500 telespirometry was computed up to November 30, 2023. The quality has also improved as with the increase of the number of tests (currently 80.62% A/B categories). Conclusion: An increase in the offer of qualified spirometry tests may be reached through the use of a structured and short-term training program together with a closed monitoring of the PHCU staff and a quality-control remote system. <fig><object-id>erj;64/suppl_68/PA5194/F1</object-id><object-id>F1</object-id><object-id>F1</object-id><graphic></graphic></fig> Municipalities in Brazil