NOWCAP

NOWCAP is a federally funded, comprehensive cardio-pulmonary program developed in 1982 by Northwestern Community Action Programs, Inc. of Wyoming. This program is offered to current and former miners or power plant workers.  All information obtained through NOWCAP will remain strictly confidential and will be stored in your patient file. A copy of your testing will be mailed to you for you to share with your primary care physician. All testing is done using licensed medical providers and modern up to date medical equipment.

Examination Procedures

  • Occupational History: We will help you complete a form detailing your entire work history. This will enable the provider to differentiate between many different exposures to toxins described in your work history.
  • Nursing Assessment: The next step entails the measurement of height, weight, blood pressure, temperature, and heart rate. The Occupational History Questionnaire will be assessed for active problems, current medications, and medical referral needs.
  • Pulmonary Function Test: A pulmonary function test is utilized to discover any obstructions or restrictions an individual may have in their air passage. The possibility of 8 attempts are given in order to obtain three acceptable efforts.
  • Radiology: A single view chest x-ray will be performed. All films will be forwarded to a Radiologist that specializes in reading for occupational lung disease with a certification from the National Institute on Safety and Health.
  • Electrocardiogram (EKG): An electrocardiogram (EKG) is a graphic recording of the electrical activity of the heart. Inclusion of this test provides a basic evaluation of the heart.
  • Pulse Oximetry: A clip will be placed on your index finger that sends a pulse of ultraviolet light through the tissues of your finger. This measures your pulse rate and the percentage of oxygen saturation in your tissues.

Billing Procedures:

Since NOWCAP/Black Lung & Respiratory Diseases Clinic is a federally funded program, it is a requirement that your individual insurance be billed initially. If for any reason the claim is denied, the grant will pay for the balance.  There will be no out-of-pocket expense to you!

Something you should know about lungs and clean air!

Taking a breath is a simple act we take for granted — until that ability is lost. Many people are unable to breath easily and normally because they are victims of lung disease. All of us are threatened with damage to our lung as we are exposed to impurities in the air we breath. When you consider that a person inhales an average of 20,160 times a day, it stands to reason that the potential for lung damage and disease increases as air pollution increases. The quality of the air we breath is everybody’s concern. Breathing clean, fresh air feels like a celebration of life — but we must work to keep it that way. Are you willing to help?

SMOKING OR HEALTH

LUNG DISEASE

OCCUPATIONAL HAZARDS

 

350,000 Americans die every year from the effects of smoking tobacco products. In the past few years some may have kicked the habit, but 50 million Americans continue to smoke. Nine out of ten smokers have indicated that they would like to quit. Check with your nearest NOWCAP/Black Lung & Respiratory Disease Clinic for suggestions and/or referrals to help you or somebody that you know stop using tobacco products.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is among the fastest rising causes of death in Americans and affects over 17 million people. In Montana, respiratory disease ranks third as a cause of death compared to a rank of fifth in the United States as a whole. Emphysema and pneumonia are the leading causes of death from respiratory illness in Wyoming.

Every year an estimated 65,000 workers in the United States develop respiratory diseases related to their jobs, and about 25,000 die from occupational lung diseases. Many of these workers are unaware of the hazards of their jobs. Check for lung hazards on the job and in the home products you use and try to eliminate them or in the very least protect yourself appropriately when using products that are a lung hazard.

Smoking or Health

350,000 Americans die every year from the effects of smoking tobacco products. In the past few years some may have kicked the habit, but 50 million Americans continue to smoke. Nine out of ten smokers have indicated that they would like to quit. Check with your nearest NOWCAP/Black Lung & Respiratory Disease Clinic for suggestions and/or referrals to help you or somebody that you know stop using tobacco products.

Lung Disease

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is among the fastest rising causes of death in Americans and affects over 17 million people. In Montana, respiratory disease ranks third as a cause of death compared to a rank of fifth in the United States as a whole. Emphysema and pneumonia are the leading causes of death from respiratory illness in Wyoming.

Occupational Hazards

Every year an estimated 65,000 workers in the United States develop respiratory diseases related to their jobs, and about 25,000 die from occupational lung diseases. Many of these workers are unaware of the hazards of their jobs. Check for lung hazards on the job and in the home products you use and try to eliminate them or in the very least protect yourself appropriately when using products that are a lung hazard.

NOWCAP is available by appointment only! All testing will remaining strictly confidential. Testing usually takes 45 minutes to one hour.