Sleep apnea and a CDL

DR. STROHL: I'm concerned that in some ways, if there
was a mandatory reporting, as there are, say, in California, that
people with well-treated sleep apnea, without sleepiness, are
still being reported because they have a categorical illness
rather than a functional impairment.

Jeff distributed copies of the new Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Cardiovascular Advisory Panel Guidelines for hypertension that are scheduled to go into effect September 2004. The copies reflect the criteria established by Work Place Wellness for addressing the three stages of blood pressure readings. The new law leaves it to the provider’s discretion on guidelines used to test and reduce blood pressure. Jeff noted there have been three documented incidents of fraudulent health cards since implementation of the guidelines where cardholders have forged a physician’s name. An average of five blood pressure readings over a one or two-week period is used to determine accurate blood pressure. Christine DiRito stated that Intercity requires the original medical form from the physician that is photocopied and placed in the employee’s file to avoid fraud. Marnie Slakey stated some unions would only allow the employees to provide copies of the employee’s medical card. Melody Johnson shared that Intercity requires employees to have a physical examination every two years. Employees have the option to go to the transit agency’s care provider or to apply the $65 the transit agency pays its medical provider towards the examination cost by the employee’s own physician. Community Transit only pays for the initial medical examination.

Some discussion ensued regarding sleep apnea. Employees with sleep apnea can be disqualified if they don’t use a breathing apparatus while sleeping at night because the condition can cause the individual to fall asleep in the afternoon. Difficulty of monitoring was discussed since employers are forced to accept the doctor’s certification that an employee with sleep apnea is using a breathing apparatus. It was shared that a C-Tran driver who fell asleep at the wheel and caused an accident wasn’t even aware he had sleep apnea. It was generally agreed that an effective method of impressing the importance of good health to maintain a safe work environment is through employee education.