FSJ Hospital purchases new body plethysmography box

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Foundation and hospital staff ‘cutting the ribbon’ in front of the new body plethysmography box. (Fort St. John Hospital Foundation)

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Expanded respiratory testing services, which are expected to benefit more than 2,000 patients each year, are now available at the Fort St. John Hospital.

In a news release on February 5th, the Fort St. John Hospital Foundation announced a body plethysmography box, recently acquired by the hospital’s respiratory department, is now fully operational.

The foundation says its new diagnostic tool allows for pulmonary function testing, including lung volumes, diffusion capacity and respiratory muscle strength.

The Fort St. John Hospital Foundation said the equipment was purchased with funds from a $36,000 grant provided by the TB Vets charitable foundation in October and donations from foundation supporters.

According to the foundation, the addition of the equipment has enabled the hospital to earn an expanded scope of practice through the BC Diagnostic Accreditation Program and the Ministry of Health.

The accreditation allows the respiratory team to perform advanced pulmonary function testing that was previously only available in Prince George.

The foundation added that as of February 5th, 2026, patients in northeast B.C. can get a “full range of detailed lung function tests” closer to home.

The foundation said the new services will significantly cut down on long-distance travel, making it easier to get timely diagnosis and care.

“As a regional leader, I’m incredibly proud of our respiratory teams, who have consistently advocated for this equipment because they understand the impact it can have on patients,” said Lisette Vienneau, regional director of diagnostic services for Northern Health.

“Seeing this move forward sooner than expected is very meaningful, and it reflects both their dedication and our shared commitment to improving access to specialized respiratory care for people across the north, closer to home.”

For more information on the new equipment and TB Vets’ donation, visit the Fort St. John Hospital Foundation’s website.