DOT Exam Info - ?Future Provider List; Chantix Ixnay; Handbook and Medical Exam links

[Guest guest]

Some interesting info from the DOT...

Locke, MD

============================

This talks about a future registry that may be set up -- sort of like for FAA (flight) exam providers.

http://nrcme.fmcsa.dot.gov/disclaimer.aspx

Important Message About Examiner Certification

Section 4116 of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) requires the Federal Motor r Safety Administration (FMCSA) to establish a national registry of medical examiners who are qualified to perform examinations and issue medical certificates. The FMCSA National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners (NRCME) program would require medical examiners receive training and pass a certification test before being listed on the Registry - which will be available to commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers and motor carriers to identify medical examiners authorized to conduct the CMV driver physical examination.

The NRCME program would establish core curriculum specifications for training - based on a comprehensive Role Delineation Study - that addresses the range of knowledge, skills and abilities required to perform physical examinations of CMV drivers. The specifications would be available to qualified training organizations for development and delivery of FMCSA medical examiner training.

The Role Delineation Study will also be the foundation for the development of a certification test to assess the competence of the medical examiner. Long-term quality management of the program, accomplished through national accreditation, would include consistent application of the certification process, the avoidance of bias and the representation of stakeholders’ needs.

The NRCME program is integral to FMCSA’s medical program and would be the only program to qualify and list certified medical examiners that perform the required physical examination of interstate commerce CMV drivers. Until FMCSA completes the notice-and-comment rulemaking, medical examiners are not required to be listed on a registry or other database concerning qualifications to perform physical examinations of truck and bus drivers. At this time, FMCSA does not endorse any medical examiner training, education or certification programs.

http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/statement-5-23-08.htm

Statement from Administrator H. Hill

Print

The Federal Motor r Safety Administration's (FMCSA) regulations for the medical qualification of interstate truck and bus drivers prohibit the use of prescribed substances or drugs that adversely affect the driver's ability to safely operate a commercial motor vehicle.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves medications for use, and has recently issued a public health advisory on Chantix (Varenicline). FMCSA's rules defer to the physicians and health care professionals to determine driver medical fitness for duty, which includes when a medication has actual and potential side effects that could impact safe driving.

While we do not name any medications, such as Chantix, in FMCSA regulations, it appears that medical examiners should not certify a driver taking Chantix because the medication may adversely affect the driver's ability to safely operate a commercial motor vehicle.

We are committed to ensuring safety on America's highways and we will continue our ongoing effort to review all FMCSA medical standards, including prescription drugs.

=====================================

http://nrcme.fmcsa.dot.gov/HB_map.htm

FMCSA Medical Examiner Handbook Map

===================================================

http://nrcme.fmcsa.dot.gov/MEhandbook.htm

Federal Motor r Safety Administration (FMCSA) Medical Examiner Handbook

print

This handbook provides information and guidance to the medical examiner who performs the commercial driver medical examination. Determining driver medical fitness for duty is a critical element of the FMCSA safety program. Specialists, such as cardiologists and endocrinologists, may perform additional medical evaluation, but it is the medical examiner who decides if the driver is medically qualified to drive.

Part I - General FMCSA Information

More...

Select this part for information about FMCSA, including mission, program history, regulations, definitions, and additional resources for the medical examiner.

Part II - The Job of Commercial Driving

An overview of the cognitive, physical, and psychological demands placed on the commercial driver will be available here.

Part III - Medical Examination Guidelines

Here is a review of the fundamental requirements of the medical examination as outlined by the Medical Examination Report Form, including descriptions of sections and instructions on how to complete the form and the medical examiner's certificate.

Part IV - Physical Qualification Requirements

More...

Part IV presents important information for medical examiners about the commercial driver physical qualification standards and clinical guidelines.

Resources

Archives (PDF) After completion of Version I of the Medical Examiner Handbook, this link is planned to be a chronological summary of updates and revisions made to the handbook.

Download, Print, or View the Complete Medical Examiner Handbook (PDF) After completion of Version I of the Medical Examiner Handbook, this link is planned to be a PDF version of the handbook.

Contacts

Office of Medical Programs

email: fmcsamedical@...

FMCSA Headquarters

FMCSA Field Offices

Driver Exemption Programs (Diabetes, Vision)

email: medicalexemptions@...

Medical Review Board (MRB)

email: contactmrb@...

ext. 237

Proposed National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners (NRCME)

email contactnrcme@...

Links to FMCSA Web Site

Medical Program Page

Rules & Regulations

49 CFR 390.5 Definitions

49 CFR 391.41 Physical qualifications for drivers

49 CFR 391.43 Medical examination; certificate of physical examination

Medical Examination Form (PDF)

[Guest guest]

I sure wish they would take DOT exams out of my hands. I get approached at least once a month by someone wanting me to cover up that they have had seizures, they abuse EtOH, they are diabetic with an A1c of 12.....and as their family doctor, they think that I should understand how they need the job, have to feed the family, can't do without the insurance.....so " please doc, I swear I'll take my pills....you just gotta pass me. "

Of course I don't give in, but I wish I didn't have to put up the fight Annie

Some interesting info from the DOT...

Locke, MD

============================

This talks about a future registry that may be set up -- sort of like for FAA (flight) exam providers.

http://nrcme.fmcsa.dot.gov/disclaimer.aspx

Important Message About Examiner Certification

Section 4116 of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) requires the Federal Motor r Safety Administration (FMCSA) to establish a national registry of medical examiners who are qualified to perform examinations and issue medical certificates. The FMCSA National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners (NRCME) program would require medical examiners receive training and pass a certification test before being listed on the Registry - which will be available to commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers and motor carriers to identify medical examiners authorized to conduct the CMV driver physical examination.

The NRCME program would establish core curriculum specifications for training - based on a comprehensive Role Delineation Study - that addresses the range of knowledge, skills and abilities required to perform physical examinations of CMV drivers. The specifications would be available to qualified training organizations for development and delivery of FMCSA medical examiner training.

The Role Delineation Study will also be the foundation for the development of a certification test to assess the competence of the medical examiner. Long-term quality management of the program, accomplished through national accreditation, would include consistent application of the certification process, the avoidance of bias and the representation of stakeholders' needs.

The NRCME program is integral to FMCSA's medical program and would be the only program to qualify and list certified medical examiners that perform the required physical examination of interstate commerce CMV drivers. Until FMCSA completes the notice-and-comment rulemaking, medical examiners are not required to be listed on a registry or other database concerning qualifications to perform physical examinations of truck and bus drivers. At this time, FMCSA does not endorse any medical examiner training, education or certification programs.

http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/statement-5-23-08.htm

Statement from Administrator H. Hill

Print

The Federal Motor r Safety Administration's (FMCSA) regulations for the medical qualification of interstate truck and bus drivers prohibit the use of prescribed substances or drugs that adversely affect the driver's ability to safely operate a commercial motor vehicle.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves medications for use, and has recently issued a public health advisory on Chantix (Varenicline). FMCSA's rules defer to the physicians and health care professionals to determine driver medical fitness for duty, which includes when a medication has actual and potential side effects that could impact safe driving.

While we do not name any medications, such as Chantix, in FMCSA regulations, it appears that medical examiners should not certify a driver taking Chantix because the medication may adversely affect the driver's ability to safely operate a commercial motor vehicle.

We are committed to ensuring safety on America's highways and we will continue our ongoing effort to review all FMCSA medical standards, including prescription drugs.

=====================================

http://nrcme.fmcsa.dot.gov/HB_map.htm

FMCSA Medical Examiner Handbook Map

===================================================

http://nrcme.fmcsa.dot.gov/MEhandbook.htm

Federal Motor r Safety Administration (FMCSA) Medical Examiner Handbook

print

This handbook provides information and guidance to the medical examiner who performs the commercial driver medical examination. Determining driver medical fitness for duty is a critical element of the FMCSA safety program. Specialists, such as cardiologists and endocrinologists, may perform additional medical evaluation, but it is the medical examiner who decides if the driver is medically qualified to drive.

Part I - General FMCSA Information

More...

Select this part for information about FMCSA, including mission, program history, regulations, definitions, and additional resources for the medical examiner.

Part II - The Job of Commercial Driving

An overview of the cognitive, physical, and psychological demands placed on the commercial driver will be available here.

Part III - Medical Examination Guidelines

Here is a review of the fundamental requirements of the medical examination as outlined by the Medical Examination Report Form, including descriptions of sections and instructions on how to complete the form and the medical examiner's certificate.

Part IV - Physical Qualification Requirements

More...

Part IV presents important information for medical examiners about the commercial driver physical qualification standards and clinical guidelines.

Resources

Archives (PDF) After completion of Version I of the Medical Examiner Handbook, this link is planned to be a chronological summary of updates and revisions made to the handbook.

Download, Print, or View the Complete Medical Examiner Handbook (PDF) After completion of Version I of the Medical Examiner Handbook, this link is planned to be a PDF version of the handbook.

Contacts

Office of Medical Programs

email: fmcsamedical@...

FMCSA Headquarters

FMCSA Field Offices

Driver Exemption Programs (Diabetes, Vision)

email: medicalexemptions@...

Medical Review Board (MRB)

email: contactmrb@...

ext. 237

Proposed National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners (NRCME)

email contactnrcme@...

Links to FMCSA Web Site

Medical Program Page

Rules & Regulations

49 CFR 390.5 Definitions

49 CFR 391.41 Physical qualifications for drivers

49 CFR 391.43 Medical examination; certificate of physical examination

Medical Examination Form (PDF)

-- Annie SkaggsLexington, KY

[Guest guest]

Stand your ground, Annie!

A. Eads, M.D.

Pinnacle Family Medicine, PLLC

phone fax

P.O.

Box 7275

Woodland

Park, CO 80863

www.PinnacleFamilyMedicine.com

From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of Skaggs

Sent: Thursday, October 09, 2008

7:59 PM

To:

Subject: Re:

DOT Exam Info - ?Future Provider List; Chantix Ixnay;

Handbook and Medical Exam links

I sure wish they would

take DOT exams out of my hands. I get approached at least once a month by

someone wanting me to cover up that they have had seizures, they abuse EtOH,

they are diabetic with an A1c of 12.....and as their family doctor, they think

that I should understand how they

need the job, have to feed the family, can't do without the insurance.....so

" please doc, I swear I'll take my pills....you just gotta pass

me. "

Of course I don't give in, but I wish I didn't have to put up the fight

Annie

On Wed, Oct 8, 2008 at 5:27 PM, Locke's in Colorado <lockekcomcast (DOT) net> wrote:

Some interesting info from the DOT...

Locke, MD

============================

This talks about a future registry that may be set up

-- sort of like for FAA (flight) exam providers.

http://nrcme.fmcsa.dot.gov/disclaimer.aspx

Important

Message About Examiner Certification

Section 4116 of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible,

Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) requires

the Federal Motor r Safety Administration (FMCSA) to establish a

national registry of medical examiners who are qualified to perform examinations

and issue medical certificates. The FMCSA National Registry of Certified

Medical Examiners (NRCME) program would require medical examiners receive

training and pass a certification test before being listed on the Registry -

which will be available to commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers and motor

carriers to identify medical examiners authorized to conduct the CMV driver

physical examination.

The

NRCME program would establish core curriculum specifications for training -

based on a comprehensive Role Delineation Study - that addresses the range of

knowledge, skills and abilities required to perform physical examinations of

CMV drivers. The specifications would be available to qualified training

organizations for development and delivery of FMCSA medical examiner

training.

The

Role Delineation Study will also be the foundation for the development of a

certification test to assess the competence of the medical examiner.

Long-term quality management of the program, accomplished through national accreditation,

would include consistent application of the certification process, the

avoidance of bias and the representation of stakeholders' needs.

The

NRCME program is integral to FMCSA's medical program and would be the only

program to qualify and list certified medical examiners that perform the

required physical examination of interstate commerce CMV drivers. Until FMCSA

completes the notice-and-comment rulemaking, medical examiners are not

required to be listed on a registry or other database concerning

qualifications to perform physical examinations of truck and bus drivers. At

this time, FMCSA does not endorse any medical examiner training, education or

certification programs.

http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/statement-5-23-08.htm

Statement

from Administrator H. Hill

Print

The

Federal Motor r Safety Administration's (FMCSA) regulations for the

medical qualification of interstate truck and bus drivers prohibit the use of

prescribed substances or drugs that adversely affect the driver's ability to

safely operate a commercial motor vehicle.

The

U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves medications for use, and has

recently issued a public health advisory on Chantix (Varenicline).

FMCSA's rules defer to the physicians and health care professionals to

determine driver medical fitness for duty, which includes when a medication

has actual and potential side effects that could impact safe driving.

While we do not name any medications, such as Chantix, in FMCSA

regulations, it appears that medical examiners should not certify a driver

taking Chantix because the medication may adversely affect the driver's

ability to safely operate a commercial motor vehicle.

We are

committed to ensuring safety on America's highways and we will

continue our ongoing effort to review all FMCSA medical standards, including

prescription drugs.

=====================================

http://nrcme.fmcsa.dot.gov/HB_map.htm

FMCSA

Medical Examiner Handbook Map

===================================================

http://nrcme.fmcsa.dot.gov/MEhandbook.htm

Federal

Motor r Safety Administration (FMCSA) Medical Examiner Handbook

print

This

handbook provides information and guidance to the medical examiner

who performs the commercial driver medical examination. Determining

driver medical fitness for duty is a critical element of the FMCSA safety

program. Specialists, such as cardiologists and endocrinologists, may perform

additional medical evaluation, but it is the medical examiner who decides if

the driver is medically qualified to drive.

Part I - General FMCSA Information

More...

Select this part for information about FMCSA,

including mission, program history, regulations, definitions, and additional

resources for the medical examiner.

Part II - The Job of Commercial

Driving

An overview of the cognitive,

physical, and psychological demands placed on the commercial driver will be

available here.

Part III - Medical Examination

Guidelines

Here is a review of the fundamental

requirements of the medical examination as outlined by the Medical

Examination Report Form, including descriptions of sections and instructions

on how to complete the form and the medical examiner's certificate.

Part IV -

Physical Qualification Requirements

More...

Part IV

presents important information for medical examiners about the commercial

driver physical qualification standards and clinical guidelines.

Resources

Archives (PDF) After completion of Version I of

the Medical Examiner Handbook, this link is planned to be a

chronological summary of updates and revisions made to the handbook.

Download, Print, or View the Complete Medical

Examiner Handbook (PDF) After completion of Version I of the Medical

Examiner Handbook, this link is planned to be a PDF version of the

handbook.

Contacts

Office of Medical Programs

email: fmcsamedicaldot (DOT) gov

FMCSA

Headquarters

FMCSA Field Offices

Driver Exemption Programs (Diabetes, Vision)

email: medicalexemptionsdot (DOT) gov

Medical Review Board (MRB)

email: contactmrbdot (DOT) gov

ext. 237

Proposed

National

Registry of Certified Medical Examiners (NRCME)

email contactnrcmedot (DOT) gov

Links to FMCSA Web Site

Medical Program Page

Rules & Regulations

49 CFR 390.5 Definitions

49 CFR 391.41 Physical qualifications for drivers

49 CFR 391.43 Medical examination; certificate of

physical examination

Medical Examination Form (PDF)

--

Annie Skaggs

Lexington, KY