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For Physicians
Consider an Occupational Medicine Referral:
Do you have patients with suspected work-related medical problems such as:
- Occupational asthma/or other dust disease
- Asbestosis/silicosis
- Irritant bronchitis
- Musculoskeletal disorders
- Tendinitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, lateral epicondylitis
- Repetitive strain injuries, hand arm vibration syndrome
- Dermatological disorders
- Chemical and allergic contact dermatitis
- Indoor air-related illness complaints, sinusitis
- Noise-induced hearing loss
- Lead/heavy metal poisonings
OEHC in Action >>
The Center physician examined several employees from a plastics factory that manufactures bumpers for automobiles. All of the employees had "contact dermatitis with varying degrees of severity. Our Center physician requested, through the employer and the union, an opportunity to tour the plant with our staff industrial hygienist to determine the cause of the problem. After completing the site evaluation, our industrial hygienist recommended several engineering controls to change the process that exposed workers to a chemical determined to be the causative agent. In addition, our Center physician recommended special gloves and other personal protective equipment, and a worker education program. The employer implemented the changes and the incidence of contact dermatitis in the workers dropped significantly.
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Our physicians, Board-Certified in Occupational & Environmental Medicine, are experienced in more complex Workers Compensation cases. We can help your patient make positive changes at work, where many of these problems arise.
We never take the place of the primary care physician, and only evaluate/treat the patient for the referred problem.
If our physician believes the problem is work-related, we will provide medical documentation necessary to begin a Workers' Compensation claim, and handle the case to resolution.
In many cases our Board-certified industrial hygienist may assist in workplace evaluations. The evaluations typically include assessment of exposure, recommendations to control hazards and training of employees and managers to prevent further risks.
We are also available for:
- Second Opinion
- Determination of Scheduled Loss of Use
- OWCP/Federal WC
- Litigation Support
- Medical Records/Case Reviews
The physicians in the New York State Occupational & Environmental Clinic Network have specific training in identifying and caring for those who have suffered illnesses and injuries on the job. The New York Network physicians were the guest editors for the American Journal of Industrial Medicine, Volume 37, Issue 1 (2000). The entire volume is comprised of clinical guidelines developed for such illnesses as, lead exposure, solvent exposure, carpal tunnel syndrome, low back pain, occupational asthma and others. You can access this issue of the AJIM by clicking here. After going to this site go to the box at the bottom of the page and click on CLINICAL PRACTICE REVIEWS.
Our physicians also have significant training in identifying exposures to toxic substances. A large percentage of the cases that our physicians diagnose are related to exposures to chemicals, heavy metals and other toxic substances such as asbestos and silica. A primary diagnostic resource for our physicians is the AGENCY FOR TOXIC SUBSTANCES AND DISEASE REGISTRY (ATSDR), an agency of the US Public Health Service, Department of Health and Human Services. You can also access this great resource and review the information available to physicians. A link to this resource is through the NYS Department of Health.
Listed below are some helpful links to the ATSDR web site:
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