Competency information
Details
Prepare the environment, equipment and patient for breath testing, performing a risk assessment and giving a chlorhexidine mouthwash if required.
Considerations
- Requirements for the investigation environment to ensure privacy, dignity and comfort of the patient, to facilitate investigation procedure and maximise results.
- Clinical indications for the test.
- The range of pre-test requirements and their importance, including:
- fasting
- cessation of medication
- cessation of smoking
- notification of allergies.
- How to check, calibrate and prepare equipment and devices.
- The types of device and the technology available to perform hydrogen, methane and urea breath testing.
- Fault identification and remedial action.
- Test protocols relating to non-invasive breath tests and the suitability of the test procedure for individual patients.
- Correct configuration of recording systems.
- Correct positioning of the patient, ensuring comfort and co- operation.
- The importance of explaining the procedure to the patient and the impact of incorrect positioning or non-co-operation on investigation results.
- How to identify potential special needs of patients and relevant action required.
- Importance of breath test equipment compliance with all current safety standards, confirmed by trust BME commissioning number equipment has.
- Regular safety testing and maintenance in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Relevant learning outcomes
| # | Outcome |
|---|---|
| # 1 | Outcome Plan and perform non-invasive breath tests under direct supervision (hydrogen, methane – if there is a methane analyser available – and urea breath testing) and explain the post-investigation process to the patient. |