Pulmonary (Lung) Function Testing at Vancouver General Hospital
- Ground Floor, Station #3 - 855 West 12th Avenue, Leon Judah Blackmore Pavilion, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1M9
- Fax: (604) 875-5695
Pulmonary (Lung) Function tests are breathing tests used to diagnose and monitor chronic lung disease and other breathing problems.
How to access
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Get a requisition
Talk to your primary care provider/specialist. They must submit a completed requisition and fax it to us at 604-875-5695.
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Get your appointment
NOTE: We do not offer drop in testing at this time. Click here for drop in spirometry testing at the Centre of Lung Health clinic located in the Diamond Building.
Patients cannot book appointments directly with the lab. Once your appointment is booked, your referring office will be notified. Once you receive your appointment date, you can call us directly if you need to rebook.
Hours of operation
- Monday: 7:45 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Tuesday: 7:45 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Wednesday: 7:45 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Thursday: 7:45 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Friday: 7:45 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Saturday: Closed
- Sunday: Closed
Statutory holidays: closed
How to get here
We are located on the Ground Floor, Station #3 at 855 West 12th Avenue Vancouver, BC V5Z 1M9 in the Leon Judah Blackmore Pavilion.
The Leon Judah Blackmore Pavilion is located on West 12th Avenue. The Gordon and Leslie Diamond Health Care Centre is located at 2775 Laurel Street.
There is pay parking available at our two visitor lots located on the VGH campus. Please allow yourself ample time to find parking as the lots can get quite busy:
- Multi-level parkade at the corner of West 12th Avenue and Laurel Street, across from the main entrance of the Jim Pattison Pavilion.
- The Gordon and Leslie Diamond Health Care Centre parking lot is located on Laurel Street between West 10th Ave and West 12th Ave.
There is a wheelchair-accessible overpass from the VGH parkade at Level 4 and a crosswalk at Level 2.
Prepare for your test
General instructions
Please arrive 15 minutes prior to appointment with Care Card & photo ID.
Preparation guidelines for all Lung Function Testing
- No perfume, aftershave or other scents
- No smoking on the day of testing (absolute minimum of 1 hour prior to testing)
- No alcohol on the day of testing
- No strenuous exercise within 2 hours before testing
- Wear comfortable clothes and shoes
- Follow instructions from your doctor regarding taking or withholding breathing medications. If you haven’t received instructions please contact them directly.
Please continue to take all other medications as usual including heart and blood pressure medications. If on anti-anginal medication (nitroglycerin patch or spray) bring it with you.
Test specific instructions
Preparation for Methacholine Challenge Testing
(Read these instructions at least 8 days before your test)
Your test will be rescheduled if you fail to follow these instructions.
- No smoking on the day of testing (absolute minimum of 1 hour prior to testing)
- No alcohol on the day of testing
- The requesting physician is responsible for giving instructions for withholding breathing medications for methacholine challenge testing. If you have questions or concerns, talk directly with your doctor who requested the test.
- Recommended withholding times for breathing medications are listed below.
| Bronchodilator medication | Withholding time prior to test |
| SABA (e.g. salbutamol) | 6 hours |
| SAMA (e.g. ipratropium bromide) | 12 hours |
| LABA (e.g. formoterol or salmeterol) | 36 hours |
| Ultra-LABA (e.g. indacaterol, vilanterol, or olodaterol) | 48 hours |
| LAMA (e.g. tiotropium, umeclidinium, aclidinium, or glycopyrronium) | 7 days |
| Oral theophylline | 12-24 hours |
Please continue to take all other medications as usual including heart and blood pressure medications. If on anti-anginal medication (nitroglycerin patch or spray) bring it with you.
Preparation for Oximetry Testing and Home Oxygen Testing
- If you use oxygen, bring your own oxygen device with you
- Bring usual walking support or mobility device (e.g. cane, walker, etc.)
- Remove nail polish, gel nails or artificial nails from at least one finger
Preparation for Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing
- Do not eat a large meal for at least 2 hours prior to testing, a small snack is OK
- Avoid strenuous exercise for at least 24 hours prior to testing
- Avoid caffeine the day of the test
- No smoking for 8 hours prior to testing
- Follow instructions your physician may have provided regarding using or withholding inhaled medications
- If you take inhaled medications, bring them with you to your appointment
Vancouver General Hospital (VGH)
Vancouver General Hospital (VGH) offers specialized health-care services to residents in Vancouver and across the province through regional programs. We provide a full range of basic and highly specialized emergency health-care and trauma services to British Columbia.