ALBERTA PERMANENT CLINICAL IMPAIRMENT GUIDE - Workers ...

THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEMTHE RESPIRATORY SYSTEMI. IntroductionA. For purposes of impairment rating, the respiratory system includes thefollowing:1. Upper Respiratory System:the nose, throat, larynx and trachea.2. Lower Respiratory System:all other respiratory structures within the chest cavity includingchest wall cage.B. Lower respiratory system ratings are based on a combination of diagnosis,symptoms, and the results of laboratory tests (specifically, pulmonary functiontests (PFT's) and imaging (e.g., x-rays).C. Where a worker suffers chest disease due in part to occupational and in partto non-occupational factors, the overall disability will be presumed to berelated to the employment and compensation awarded accordingly.D. That portion of the award related to non-occupational factors is relieved fromthe employer’s experience account.II.Rating ProcedureA. Upper respiratory system impairment is rated according to Schedule I, page58.B. Lower respiratory system impairment is rated according to Schedule II, pages59 to 62.C. The difference in ratings between the pre-existing and post-incidentrespiratory episode will be considered to be the impairment as a result of therespiratory episode for the purpose of I(D) above.Page 55COPYRIGHT 2006 All Rights Reserved October 1, 2006