Spirographic measuring instruments in the Republic of Uzbekistan: organization of metrological control and improvement of the quality of respiratory disease diagnosis
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Respiratory diseases remain one of the leading causes of increasing morbidity and reduced quality of life worldwide, highlighting the need to improve the reliability of instrumental diagnostic methods. The quality of spirometric examination results directly depends on the metrological characteristics of the measuring instruments used and the effectiveness of their metrological control. Despite the widespread use of spirometric measuring devices in healthcare institutions of the Republic of Uzbekistan, a systematic analysis of their types, metrological characteristics, and compliance with international requirements is still lacking, which complicates the organization of metrological control and the assurance of measurement traceability. The aim of this study is to analyze the types of spirometric measuring devices used in the Republic of Uzbekistan, determine their metrological characteristics, and provide a scientific basis for the organization of their metrological control. The object of the study comprises spirometric measuring devices employed in healthcare institutions of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The study was conducted through the analysis of international standards ISO 26782:2009 “Anaesthetic and respiratory equipment – Spirometers intended for the measurement of time forced expired volumes in humans” and ISO 23747:2015 “Anaesthetic and respiratory equipment – Peak expiratory flow meters for the assessment of pulmonary function in spontaneously breathing humans”, regulatory and technical documentation, manufacturers’ operating manuals, and a comparative analysis of the classification of spirometric measuring devices carried out with the participation of the Uzbek National Institute of Metrology. As a result of the study, a classifi cation of spirographic measuring instruments used in the Republic of Uzbekistan was developed according to their functional purpose and field of application. The regulated metrological characteristics of these instruments were identifi ed, including measurement ranges for air volume and airfl ow, maximum permissible errors, and requirements for metrological control. The main factors affecting the organization of metrological control were established, including the use of instruments from different manufacturers and generations, differences in operating documentation, restricted access to calibration service functions, and the absence of mandatory use of calibration syringes in a number of healthcare institutions. The obtained results made it possible to classify the spirographic measuring instruments used in the Republic of Uzbekistan, to determine the regulated metrological characteristics subject to metrological control, and to identify the factors affecting the reliability of spirometric test results. Based on the analysis of the requirements of ISO 26782:2009 and ISO 23747:2015, the need for harmonization of verifi cation procedures for spirographic measuring instruments, as well as metrological control of calibration syringes used during their operation, was substantiated. The practical signifi cance of the study lies in the potential application of its results in the development of regulatory documents and verifi cation methods methodologies aimed at ensuring measurement traceability and improving the reliability of respiratory disease diagnosis.
Source: Izmeritel`naya Tekhnika
Authors: V. Kh. Nishonov, N. Sh. Muminov
Language: English
Subfield: Instrumentation
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W7225611028