Showing papers by "Carrie A. Redlich published in 2014"
TL;DR: The findings suggest possible early TDI-related health effects in a modern polyurethane production plant and highlight the need for further longitudinal evaluation of these workers and the challenges of studying workers at risk for isocyanate asthma.
Abstract: Background
Isocyanates are one of the most commonly reported causes of occupational asthma; however, the risks of developing isocyanate asthma in modern production facilities remain poorly defined. We evaluated TDI exposure and respiratory health among an inception cohort of workers during their first year of employment at a new polyurethane foam production factory.
20 citations
TL;DR: The recommendations suggest spirometry training courses, such as those conducted by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), as a training option for individuals entering into the practice of spirometry testing, and encourage inclusion of credentialed pulmonary function technologists in future guidelines.
Abstract: environment, but in every other venue in which spirometry is used for diagnosis and treatment. The wide variability in the quality of spirometry testing is supported by the extensive list of references cited in the supplementary materials. The recommendations suggest spirometry training courses, such as those conducted by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), as a training option for individuals entering into the practice of spirometry testing. Obtaining optimal spirometry requires more than just initial training (2). As the recommendations aptly point out, on-going feedback is also needed so that those performing spirometry can correct problems and improve quality. What is missing from the recommendations is the necessary educational background and credentialing for personnel performing spirometry. For more than 25 years, the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) has offered credentialing for individuals who wish to specialize in pulmonary function testing. The Certified Pulmonary Function Technologist (CPFT) is offered as an entry level credential, and the Registered Pulmonary Function Technologist (RPFT) is available as an advanced level credential. The examinations leading to these credentials are available to individuals who have completed a minimum of an associate’s degree with a focus in science, and/or more commonly received a degree in respiratory therapy. The examinations themselves are criterion-referenced, and based on national job analyses in the United States (3). The examinations are prepared by physicians and technologists with experience in pulmonary diagnostics, including ATS physician representatives, because the ATS is one of the physician sponsors of the NBRC. Questions on the examinations include ATS/European Respiratory Society recommendations (4) on all aspects of spirometry. The CPFT and/or RPFT credentials awarded after July 1, 2002 are valid for 5 years, with defined continuing medical education requirements to maintain the credential. Although a credential based on a specialty examination does not guarantee competency or quality spirometry testing, it does provide evidence that a credentialed technologist is competent in assessing basic respiratory pathophysiology, implementing current guidelines for acceptability and repeatability, and performing calibration and quality control of spirometers. We congratulate the ATS for addressing the importance of spirometry in the workplace, and encourage inclusion of credentialed pulmonary function technologists in future guidelines. n
1 citations