Preventative Health

Pulmonary Disease

General:

 

You must provide your medical examiner with the following information:

  • Date of Pulmonary Disease onset.
  • Name and location of treating health care professional.
  • What interventions have been done.
  • Medications you are taking, including ANY inhalers.
  • Treatment plan.
  • Side effects of medication. 
  • Verify use of Oxygen, if required.
  • Report: Any history of chest pain, shortness of breath, shortness of breath on exertion, swelling of ankles, dizziness or fatigue.

Document any recent ER visits and/or hospitalizations. 

 

 

Testing: 

 

w  If the examiner is concerned about the pulmonary stability or safety of the driver, a pulmonary function test may be  required.

w  If the PFT is abnormal with FEV1 < 65% predicted and FEV1/FVC ratio < 65% (obstructive pattern) or FVC <60% (restrictive pattern) then a pulse oximetry test will be performed.

w  If pulse oximetry is less than 92% then an Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) will be obtained.

w  If the ABG shows a PaO2 <65 mmHg and or a PzCO2 >45mm Hg then you will not qualify for certification.

 

Certification:

Driver without disqualifying lung symptoms or disease:  Certify up to two years

 

Do Not Certify: 

Driver with : Hypoxemia at rest, chronic respiratory failure, cough syncope, oxygen use, or severely abnormal lung function documented by testing as above.