General Guideline Principles for Management of Occupational
Interstitial Lung Disease for workers compensation patients

The New York State workers compensation board has developed these guidelines to help physicians, podiatrists, and other healthcare professionals provide appropriate treatment for Management of Occupational Interstitial Lung Disease.

These Workers Compensation Board guidelines are intended to assist healthcare professionals in making decisions regarding the appropriate level of care for their patients with ankle and foot disorders.

The guidelines are not a substitute for clinical judgement or professional experience. The ultimate decision regarding care must be made by the patient in consultation with his or her healthcare provider.

Management of Occupational Interstitial Lung Disease

By reducing inflammation and halting the development of lung scarring, management of employees with occupational ILD aims to stop future loss of lung function.

• To prevent the spread of the disease, limit further provoking exposure.

• Exposure evaluation for workers with occupational ILD to ascertain whether they may return to a particular job or exposure, including the use of PPE.

• Steer clear of the issue’s root.

• Quit smoking and stay away from passive smoking.

• Steer clear of airway irritants such dust, solvents, and odours.

Pharmacological treatment.

• Observe established ILD therapy recommendations.

• Bronchodilators, cytotoxic medications, inhaled corticosteroids, or immunotherapy

Monitor Progress

• Periodic medical monitoring, including pulmonary ILD imaging scans and PFTs

• The six-minute walk test as a tool for tracking illness development or response to therapy.

Minimize and manage potential complications of ILD

• Immunization against influenza and pneumococcal pneumonia

• Watch for sudden flare-ups

• Respiratory infection management that is aggressive and has a low threshold for hospitalization

• Comorbidities specifically managed, including possible opportunistic infections and cancer

• supportive (supplemental) oxygenation if exercise or sleep-related desaturation is observed

• Controlling cardiac issues, such as pulmonary hypertension and right-sided heart failure.

Screen for lung cancer

Pulmonary Rehabilitation to improve functional capacity

• Use different, effective breathing techniques.

• Analyze and improve your home’s environment to reduce the need for effort

• Keep up calorie intake

Lung Transplantation

1. Lung Transplantation
   

   Lung Transplantation of Management of Occupational Interstitial Lung Disease is recommended Evaluation for lung transplantation should be done in patients that are advanced or are progressing quickly.

Pharmacological Treatment

1. Pharmacological Treatment
   

   Pharmacological Treatment of Management of Occupational Interstitial Lung Disease is recommended Pharmacologic treatment for occupational ILD focuses solely on symptoms and limits; it is unable to lessen fibrosis.

   The ATS or other similarly regarded bodies producing guidelines should be followed when formulating recommendations for the pharmaceutical treatment of ILD.

A physician with training and experience in the medical management of that condition should be referred to workers who have clinical findings that are consistent with a specific form of occupational ILD.

Exposure Assessment

1. Exposure Assessment
   

   Exposure Assessment of Management of Occupational Interstitial Lung Disease are recommended the completion of an exposure assessment for employees with occupational interstitial lung disease.

Exposure Assessment for Workers with Occupational ILD – For each worker identified as having an occupational ILD, exposure data from industrial hygiene surveys, Safety Data Sheets (previously known as Material Safety Data Sheets), and other sources like local or individual monitoring data should be reviewed and taken into consideration.

Rationale for Recommendations – Exposure Assessment for Workers with Occupational ILD – For each worker identified as having an occupational ILD, exposure data from industrial hygiene surveys, Safety Data Sheets (previously known as Material Safety Data Sheets), and other sources like local or individual monitoring data should be reviewed and taken into consideration.

The physical demands of the job and lung function both affect a worker’s ability to use the proper personal protective equipment to prevent future exposure. In general, people with severe to very severe respiratory impairment may not have enough inspiratory capacity to work while using respirators that make breathing harder (like half- or full-face filtering respirators), and they may also not be able to perform the duties of a job requiring moderate physical activity.

6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT)

1. 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT)
   

   6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) is recommended in people with interstitial lung disease as a way to track treatment effectiveness or disease development

Indication/Technique – to evaluate how well individuals with moderate to severe lung illness respond to treatment. It can also be used to gauge a patient’s functional condition and forecast morbidity and mortality.

Absolute contraindications for the 6MWT include:

1. Previous episodes of unstable angina.
2. Heart attack within one month.

Relative contraindications for the 6MWT include:

1. Tachycardia at rest (more than 120 beats per minute).
2. Uncontrolled high blood pressure.

Chest pain, acute dyspnea, leg cramps, dizziness, extreme perspiration, and a pale or ashen appearance are all reasons to terminate the test right away.

What our office can do if you have workers compensation injuries

We have the experience to help you with their workers compensation injuries. We understand what you are going through and will meet your medical needs and follow the guidelines set by the New York State Workers Compensation Board.

We understand the importance of your workers compensation cases. Let us help you navigate through the maze of dealing with the workers compensation insurance company and your employer.

We understand that this is a stressful time for you and your family. If you would like to schedule an appointment, please contact us so we will do everything we can to make it as easy on you as possible.

We are orthopedic surgeons and do not treat chest diseases. We will refer you to someone in your area who does treat respiratory symptoms.