Lung cancer, pulmonary fibrosis and asthma often have their origins at work. The Martini Hospital is starting a special outpatient clinic for these patients, where we will immediately look at how the workplace can be healthier.
Welders who inhale smoke, hairdressers who have been exposed to hairspray for years, teachers whose asthma worsens as a result of mold in their overly humid classroom. Tjerk Hylkema, pulmonologist in training at the Martini Hospital, effortlessly comes up with various cases of patients with a ‘work-related lung disease’.
“The lung problems that some of the people who work in construction have to deal with are now well known,” says Hylkema. His point is that work-related lung diseases are a problem in many more sectors. “Woodworkers, operating room assistants who inhale smoke, factory employees who have to deal with volatile substances: you name it.”
First hospital in the Northern Netherlands
Until now, far too little attention has been paid to the origins of these diseases in the Netherlands, according to the findings at the Martini Hospital. The Lung Diseases and Work Knowledge Center, where approximately 150 patients are expected annually, should be the solution for this. At least for the Northern Netherlands, because Martini is the first hospital in our region that focuses on this patient group.
These are significant numbers, Hylkema explains. For example, it is estimated that 15 percent of asthma cases are work-related. For lung cancer that is even 25 percent. Lung functions deteriorate very slowly, which means that a link with work is often made (too) late. Hylkema and his fellow pulmonologist Henk Kramer will not only see patients at the outpatient clinic. It is their explicit intention to tackle the patient’s unhealthy workplace. Hylkema has recently become proficient in everything related to exposure to harmful substances at work.
Like a detective
“Together with our company doctors and occupational hygienists, we discuss the situation of our patients and see what can be improved,” says Hylkema. If uncertainty remains, the patient will be fitted with equipment that can be used to measure lung function at work. The doctors then discuss improvements with the company doctor. “Or we advise on a less stressful workplace.”
The doctors expect to see patterns after a while. That they can say that certain workplaces are undeniably unhealthy for the lungs. “We want to sit down with the professional groups to take preventive measures. This will prevent diseases and healthcare costs in the future. That is the ultimate goal.”
Nationally leading
The Martini Hospital immediately became leader of the national working group, which must ensure more recognition for work-related lung diseases. Centers from all over the country participate in the working group, including the Dutch Knowledge Center for Work and Pulmonary Diseases (NKAL), the Amsterdam UMC, the Rotterdam Erasmus MC and the Franciscus Gasthuis & Vlietland. The aim is to prevent cases of illness, to recognize them earlier, to register them better in a database to be set up for this purpose and to treat them more quickly.
Tags: sick workplace Martini Hospital put workrelated lung cancer lung fibrosis asthma special clinic
