ATS Guidelines in 2026: How Respiratory Labs Can Ensure Every Report Stays Compliant Without Extra Manual Work

Keeping respiratory lab reports aligned with ATS guidelines does not have to mean extra checklists, manual cross-referencing, or constant retraining. In 2026, the most effective labs are embedding compliance directly into their reporting workflows through smart software configuration, so that every report produced already reflects current standards by default. The key shift is moving from checking compliance after the fact to building it into the process from the start.

TL;DR

  • ATS and ERS updated technical standards continue to evolve, and labs that rely on manual processes to stay current carry the highest compliance risk.

  • Spirometry remains the cornerstone diagnostic procedure for most respiratory diseases, with updated 2026 recommendations reinforcing the need for standardised reporting.

  • Compliance through configuration, not manual effort, is the modern approach for high-volume respiratory labs.

  • Cloud-based platforms like Rezibase can embed ATS guideline logic directly into reporting algorithms, reducing clinical risk and saving time.

  • The 2025-2026 respiratory season outlook from the CDC signals continued high demand on labs, making efficient, compliant workflows more critical than ever.

About the Author: This article is written by the Rezibase team, a group of respiratory scientists and healthcare technology specialists who have spent over 37 years building reporting solutions specifically for clinical physiology labs across Australia, New Zealand, the UK, and Ireland.

Why Are ATS Guidelines So Difficult for Labs to Keep Up With?

ATS guidelines are not static. The American Thoracic Society, often in partnership with the European Respiratory Society (ERS), regularly publishes updated technical standards covering spirometry, lung volumes, diffusing capacity, and more. According to the National Board for Respiratory Care, the ATS and ERS have published updated technical standards across multiple key procedures in recent years, and these updates are considered critical benchmarks for clinical practice and exam preparation.

The challenge for labs is not understanding the guidelines. It is operationalising them consistently across every report, every scientist, and every shift. Common failure points include:

  • Normal values not updated after a new guideline release

  • Interpretation algorithms still referencing older criteria

  • Report templates that do not reflect current language or thresholds

  • Inconsistent application across staff with varying levels of experience

Each of these gaps introduces clinical risk, not because scientists are careless, but because the systems they use do not update automatically.

What Do the 2026 ATS/ERS Spirometry Recommendations Actually Require?

Spirometry is, as a February 2026 publication in Archivos de Bronconeumología confirms, "the main diagnostic procedure for most respiratory diseases." The updated recommendations set out the principal standards for performing spirometry, reinforcing that quality, reproducibility, and correct interpretation are non-negotiable.

Key areas where labs must demonstrate compliance include:

Area

Requirement

Equipment calibration

Regular verification against known standards

Acceptability criteria

Clearly defined per updated ATS/ERS thresholds

Reproducibility criteria

Documented and consistently applied

Normal value reference sets

Aligned to current guideline-endorsed equations

Interpretation language

Standardised terminology in final reports

The implication for labs is clear: if your reporting system is not pre-configured to apply these criteria automatically, someone has to do it manually, every single time.

How Does the ATS Conference Shape Clinical Practice in Real Time?

The ATS 2026 conference is a significant moment for the respiratory community. Abstracts accepted for presentation will be published in the May 2026 special abstract issue of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, according to the American Thoracic Society. This means new research, emerging standards, and updated clinical thinking become publicly available in a concentrated window.

For labs, this creates a practical challenge: staying informed is one thing, but translating new evidence into updated workflows is another. Labs that depend on manual updates to templates or interpretation logic will always lag behind. Labs with configurable, regularly updated platforms can absorb changes far more efficiently.

Why Is the 2025-2026 Respiratory Season a Turning Point for Lab Efficiency?

The CDC's 2025-2026 Respiratory Disease Season Outlook highlights that COVID-19 hospitalisation rates will depend on multiple interacting factors, and that respiratory illness burden remains a significant public health concern. This sustained demand on respiratory services means labs are being asked to do more, faster, without compromising report quality.

High volume and high compliance requirements are a difficult combination to manage with manual processes. When a lab is processing hundreds of spirometry studies per week, the margin for inconsistency grows. Automated, guideline-aligned reporting is not just a convenience in this environment. It is a clinical safety measure.

What Role Does Laboratory Diagnosis Guidance Play in Compliance?

Beyond spirometry, respiratory labs frequently handle diagnostic testing for respiratory viruses. The ADLM's guidance document on laboratory diagnosis of respiratory viruses proposes a structured algorithm to help laboratories decide on the most appropriate tests for respiratory viral infections. This kind of algorithmic thinking, applied systematically, is exactly the model that modern lab software should replicate for reporting workflows.

The principle is the same: remove ambiguity, standardise the decision pathway, and reduce the reliance on individual recall under pressure.

How Can Rezibase Help Labs Stay ATS-Compliant Without Extra Manual Work?

Rezibase was built by respiratory scientists who understood this problem from the inside. Rather than treating compliance as a documentation exercise, the platform treats it as a configuration problem with a technical solution.

Specific features that directly support ATS guideline compliance include:

  • Reporting algorithms built to ATS criteria: Interpretation logic is pre-configured to current guidelines, so reports reflect correct standards by default.

  • Normal Values Library: A regularly updated library of industry-standard reference equations, meaning labs do not need to manually verify or switch values after a guideline update.

  • Magic Import: Direct import of device data with automatic extraction of discrete values, eliminating transcription errors that can compromise report integrity.

  • AI-powered report writing: Structured report generation that applies consistent language and interpretation, reducing variability across staff.

  • Accreditation module: Built-in support for TSANZ/NATA and ISO 15189 requirements, covering quality control, audits, and non-conformance management.

For labs currently using a legacy system or a non-specialist platform, the transition to Rezibase is designed to be straightforward. Data migration is handled as part of the onboarding process, and the cloud-based delivery means there is no server infrastructure to manage.

Frequently Asked Questions

What ATS guidelines does Rezibase support?
Rezibase's reporting algorithms are configured to reflect ATS guidelines for spirometry interpretation, including current acceptability and reproducibility criteria, as well as updated normal value reference sets.

How often are normal values updated in Rezibase?
The Normal Values Library is maintained and updated in line with guideline changes, so labs do not need to manually manage reference equation updates.

Is Rezibase suitable for both public hospitals and private clinics?
Yes. Rezibase is used across public respiratory and sleep labs, including NHS sites in the UK and NSW Health in Australia, as well as private clinics.

What happens to our existing data if we switch to Rezibase?
Data migration is part of the onboarding process. The Rezibase team manages this transition to ensure continuity, and the process is designed to be as simple as possible for your team.

Does Rezibase support accreditation requirements beyond ATS reporting?
Yes. The platform includes a dedicated accreditation module covering TSANZ/NATA standards and ISO 15189 requirements, including document management, training records, and quality control.

Can Rezibase integrate with our existing hospital systems?
Rezibase integrates with Patient Administration Systems, EMR systems, DICOM Modality Worklists, hospital finance systems, and electronic ordering systems.

Is there a trial available before committing?
Yes. Rezibase offers a 30-day free trial with no lock-in contract.

About Rezibase

Rezibase is Australia's most advanced cloud-based respiratory and sleep reporting platform, built by respiratory scientists for respiratory scientists. Trusted by over 35 sites including NHS and NSW Health, it delivers ATS-aligned reporting algorithms, a regularly updated normal values library, and a full accreditation module, all in a vendor-neutral, SaaS environment. Backed by 37 years of experience and now part of the Cardiobase group, Rezibase exists to reduce clinical risk, eliminate manual workarounds, and help labs focus on what matters most: patient care.

Explore Rezibase at rezibase.com or start your 30-day free trial today.

References

What Is Vendor Lock-In in Respiratory Lab Software — and Why Rezibase Was Built to Eliminate It ›

What Is Vendor Lock-In in Respiratory Lab Software — and Why Rezibase Was Built to Eliminate It ›