Spirometry Examination Results -- Sample Letter

Attachment 18 –

Sample letter to each participating miner in the CWHSP with the spirometry examination results

JANE Q SMITH

123 MAIN STREET

MORGANTOWN, WV 26508

Dear MS. SMITH:

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) in Morgantown, West Virginia, administers the Coal Workers' Health Surveillance Program (CWHSP) which is a congressionally-mandated medical examination surveillance program for monitoring the health of coal miners. The CWHSP was originally authorized under the 1969 Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act and is currently authorized under the 1977 Federal Mine Safety and Health Act and its subsequent amendments (the Act). You had a coal miner health examination conducted under the CWHSP on October 16, 2019.

Enclosed are the results of your spirometry test performed during that time. If you had a chest radiograph taken as part of this national health surveillance program, then you will receive those results in a separate letter.

The results of your spirometry testing conducted on October 16, 2019 show a possible abnormality. The actual values from your tests are enclosed with this letter. You should provide this information to your personal physician, so that it may be added to your medical records. Any abnormal test results should not be considered a diagnosis of disease; that determination can only be made by your personal physician following a complete medical evaluation.

Explanation of Test Results

The purpose of the spirometry test, which you performed on October 16, 2019, is to determine how your lung function compares to expected normal lung function. The test includes measurements of the forced vital capacity [FVC] (this is the maximal or total amount of air you can forcefully breathe out after taking a deep breath) and the 1-second forced expiratory volume [FEV1] (this is the amount of air that you can breathe out in the first second of exhaling), and the calculation of the ratio of FEV1 to FVC. In the enclosed report titled, 'Report of Spirometry Findings,' your test results are compared to predicted values for a healthy, non-smoking person of the same age, height, sex, and race. Graphs of your breathing tests appear on the second page.

Your spirometry showed an obstructive pattern. This means that you blew out more slowly than normal. Consider further evaluation by your personal physician. Additional testing may be needed to confirm this finding.

If you have any questions or concerns about the CWHSP, please contact us at the address or telephone number listed above or at our toll-free number (1-888-480-4042).

Sincerely yours,

Cara Halldin, PhD

Team Leader, Coal Workers' Health

Surveillance Program

Surveillance Branch

Respiratory Health Division