DOT Physicals Plus

Today's highlights: Two drivers previously not qualified returned this morning. One returned with corrective lenses and was certified; the other returned after taking his hypertension medication and his blood pressure is now controlled and he was also certified. Congratulations to both drivers.

One driver came in today who had glucose in his urine; his blood sugar was 414 and his HbA1C was 10.8. He was advised to contact his family doctor and get his blood sugar controlled and return with medications. His certification was deferred.

A returning driver came in who had stent placement. He was provided a cardiologist clearance letter. He sent that to his cardiologist this morning and returned it this afternoon. Driver qualified under FMCSA cardiovascular guidelines. Congratulations!!

Another driver came in today who had a small amount of glucose in his urine and his blood sugar was 212. His HBA 1C was 6.8. His blood pressure was 142/88 and 142/92. His heart rate was 107. His sinus rhythm was normal. He has a follow up appointment scheduled with his family doctor February 17th. He does take his medications for diabetes regularly. He was advised of the risks associated with high blood pressure and high blood sugar and potential damage to the kidney and CKD. He said that he was appreciative of our thoroughness and thorough explanation of everything and said that other places he has been to (for DOT Physicals) are very basic and “pretty much in and out”. I don't split hairs between 140 and 142. The driver was advised to follow up with his family doctor regarding our conversation. Driver was certified.

We thank each and every driver who trust us with their certification and we will always do what we can to help you get certified correctly!

Driver MB issued three month medical certificate in July 2020 at another location for uncontrolled hypertension. In October 2020 he came to our office seeking certification. He still did not have his blood pressure controlled (hadn't even seen his family doctor). He was denied certification and and advised he could be certified after seeing his P*P/family doctor and getting medications to help with blood pressure. He returned earlier this week and while the b/p was controlled, his heart rate was 38 regular beats per minute (bpm). I suspected he was over-medicated, delayed certification and asked him to go to his P*P and let him know his heart rate is down to 38 and return with a note. Normal heart rates are generally 60s-90s.
He returned today with his heart rate at a much healthier 62 bpm after his family doctor adjusted the dosage of his medications. Driver thankful we caught the oversight made by his P*P and is again medically certified and back in service. Safe Travels!!

Yesterday: CLP candidate/Class E driver positive drug urine test (by admission - ma*****na) after TOOR. More positive tests than ever, but cannot report due to DOT oversight. Medical certification withheld pending negative drug urine test. Three other drivers not qualified due to uncontrolled stage III hypertension and uncontrolled diabetes (fingerstick 321 - normal ranges 60s-90s). One driver returned after not qualifying last month: Today b/p and blood sugar both well-controlled (HbA1c 6.7, blood pressure 133/91).

Blood pressure reads: 180/123, 164/113
(last year 141/93 - advised driver to closely monitor)
Blood sugar: 555 (one of only four I have ever seen over 550)
(normal 60s-90s).
Asked if the driver wanted EMS/ambulance. He refused. Told him he needs to consider ER or at least contact his family doctor right away.
Driver response: So do I get my certificate?