Tech Services—Respiratory and Cardiac

Alethea Bowen-Decklever, Director
(515) 433-8261

Your breathing and heart health matter deeply to us. Our Respiratory Therapy team and Cardiac Sonographer work together to provide safe, comfortable, and accurate testing—so you get the answers and the care you need.

We’re here to make every visit as easy and stress‑free as possible. Whether you need a breathing test, heart monitor, echocardiogram, or support managing a chronic condition, our trained professionals will guide you every step of the way. Our goal is to provide simple, safe, and meaningful tests that help you and your provider understand your heart and lung health.

Respiratory Testing Services

Pulmonary Function Testing (PFT) / Breathing Tests

Your provider may order tests ranging from a quick Spirometry (about 15 minutes) to a Complete PFT, which may take up to an hour. These tests measure:

How much air your lungs can hold
How quickly you move air in and out
How well oxygen moves into your bloodstream

Sometimes parts of the test are repeated after using an inhaled bronchodilator. This helps diagnose lung disease and identify treatments that may help you breathe easier.

Home Sleep Testing

If your provider orders a home sleep study, we schedule a brief appointment (about 15 minutes) to show you how to use the device.

Our home sleep monitor is simple to use — a watch‑style device with a finger probe and a small chest sensor. You wear it for one night (or during daytime if you sleep days). Your results are interpreted by a Neurology Sleep Medicine specialist, and the full report is sent to your provider.

Oxygen Testing

Your provider may request testing to see if you need supplemental oxygen. This may include:

Exercise Oximetry: Oxygen levels monitored at rest and while walking
6‑Minute Walk Test: You walk at your own pace for six minutes while we track oxygen level, heart rate, and endurance
Arterial Blood Gas (ABG): A blood sample from the wrist artery to measure oxygen and carbon dioxide levels

These tests help determine if oxygen therapy is needed and guide treatment plans.

Cardiac Testing Services

Electrocardiogram (EKG)

Small stickers are placed on your chest, arms, and legs to record your heart’s rhythm. The test is quick, painless, and usually finished in just a few minutes.

Echocardiogram (Heart Ultrasound)

A gentle ultrasound that helps assess:

How well your heart is pumping
How your valves are functioning

There is no discomfort—just a bit of gel on your chest and a small device moving over your skin. The test takes about 30–45 minutes and is interpreted by a Cardiologist. Results are sent to your ordering provider.

Exercise Stress Test

You’ll walk on a treadmill while we monitor your heart rhythm, blood pressure, and symptoms. A provider is present throughout to interpret results in real time. This test can also be paired with an echocardiogram, known as a Stress Echo.

Nuclear Stress Test

Performed with a Nuclear Medicine technologist, this test uses a safe tracer to take detailed images of your heart at rest and after stress. Stress is created either by:

Walking on a treadmill, or
A medication that increases blood flow and simulates exercise

This test helps detect areas of reduced blood flow and guides heart‑care decisions.

Holter Monitor (24–48 Hours)

A small wearable monitor (a single sticker placed at the center of the chest) records your heart rhythm while you go about daily activities. Most patients forget they’re even wearing it.

Event Monitor (7 or 14 Days)

Similar to a Holter monitor, but worn longer to capture symptoms that don’t occur every day. If you feel something unusual, you simply press a button to mark the event.

Occupational Medicine Services

Respiratory Medical Evaluations

We provide comprehensive OSHA‑compliant Respiratory Medical Evaluations (OSHA Standard 29 CFR 1910.134) to ensure employees are medically cleared to wear respirators. Our licensed respiratory therapists deliver accurate, timely evaluations to support workplace safety, compliance, and productivity.

Hearing Conservation Program

We provide CAOHC‑certified audiometric testing to help employers meet OSHA 29 CFR 1910.95 requirements for noise‑exposed workers. Services include baseline and annual hearing evaluations, documentation, and timely reporting to support a safe and compliant workforce.

What to Expect During Your Visit

Friendly Staff

We’ll explain each step and make sure you feel supported and comfortable.

Clear Instructions

You’ll always know how to prepare, what to bring, and what will happen during testing.

Fast, Accurate Results

Your test results are interpreted promptly and sent to your provider.

Patient‑First Care

Questions are always welcome — we want you to leave feeling informed, confident, and cared for.

How to Get Started

Talk with your doctor about a referral. Once we receive it, our team will contact you to schedule your first visit. If you have questions, call (515) 433‑8129.