As a pulmonologist you have an important role in alerting asbestos victims to the possibilities that the Asbestos Victims Institute has to offer them. The following information from experts in the field of asbestos patients is important here.

The Hague, March 2014

Dear colleague, People who have developed the disease mesothelioma or asbestosis as a result of contact with asbestos in the Netherlands can qualify for a government reimbursement under certain conditions. Sometimes the (ex-) employer or the insurer of that employer pays compensation for those who have been exposed to asbestos for professional reasons. In both cases one can go to the Asbestos Victims Institute (IAS). The services provided by the IAS are free of charge for asbestos victims and their relatives if the procedure is cooperated. In particular, we would like to draw your attention to the cases of mesothelioma that you find in your practice. In view of the progressive nature of the disease, your patient has a great interest in submitting an application as soon as possible.

PROCEDURE WITH REGARD TO DIAGNOSIS MESOTHELIOMA EXAMINATION

Diagnosis of mesothelioma is mainly based on clinical-pathological examination. In all patients who may suffer from the mesothelioma disease and who have reported to the IAS, the IAS medical advisor will ask the Nederlands Mesotheliomen Panel (NMP) for an investigation and an opinion / conclusion. In the event that there is too little material for reliable diagnostics, the medical advisor of the IAS will consider whether a judgment of the expert group (MSN working group) is indicated. If that is the case, the expert group will be provided with the necessary documents to draw a definitive conclusion.

PROCEDURE WITH REGARD TO RESEARCH DIAGNOSIS ASBESTOSIS

People with asbestosis are patients with pulmonary fibrosis who have been professionally exposed to asbestos for a long period of time. The diagnosis includes an examination of the exposure in the employment history and a medical, clinical-pathological examination. Between the start of exposure and the time at which the diagnosis of pulmonary fibrosis is made by the attending physician, in practice at least 15 years. Furthermore, there must be a loss of lung function class 2,3 or 4 according to the standards of the American Medical Association (AMA) and described in their “Guides to the evaluation of permanent impairment”.