NECORD
The Netherlands Expertise Centre for Occupational Respiratory Disorders (NECORD) was founded in 2000 by the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport. NECORD was supported financially for 5 years. Since 2005 it is an independent organisation.
NECORD develops, spreads and applies evidence based knowledge in the areas of diagnosis, treatment, reintegration and prevention of work related respiratory disorders.

Mission
NECORD aims to promote the quality of care for work related respiratory disorders. NECORD intends to achieve this by being a link between work related and usual medical care, and through linking the different disciplines active in work related medical science. It is this multidisciplinary approach which makes it possible to remain alert for new developments and fully apply these in practice.

Organisation
The board of management is formed by the following core disciplines:

• respiratory diseases - (J.M.Rooijackers MD PhD, chest physician)
• occupational and industrial medical science - (G.B.G.J. van Rooy, MD, occupational physician)
• occupational hygiene – (R. Houba, RAH, MS, PhD, occupational hygienist)

Target Groups
Target groups include chest, occupational and insurance physicians and general practitioners, as well as paramedics like nurses and physiotherapists, occupational hygienists and occupational specialists.

Core Activities

• Out patient clinic

Employees can be referred for a consultation by physicians


• (Scientific) Research

Research concerns both exposure and health effects, for example in the case of an (suspected) outbreak and may consist of exposure assessment, medical surveillance, clinical evaluation and advice. NECORD heads the assignments in this framework for industry and the government. A full description can be found on our website: www.nkal.nl.


• Support/in-service training and implementation

The helpdesk is available for professionals with work related questions. We also offer support in interpreting lung function results, education and implementation of guide lines.

Collaboration
The issues concerning work related respiratory disorders are complex.
The analysis aligns itself to health effects and clinical syndromes, which are brought into the relative context of exposure in the work environment.
NECORD cooperates with the Division Heart Lung Centre Utrecht; University Medical Centre Utrecht St Antonius Hospital Nieuwegein.
Scientific support is provided by prof. J.W.J. Lammers, MD, PhD, department of pulmonary diseases, University Medical Centre Utrecht and prof. D.J.J. Heederik, PhD, health risk analysis, Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS) of Utrecht University (UU).
A description of combined projects is available at www.iras.uu.nl

Out patient clinic

Analysis
Individual advice is given after the evaluation is completed.

Costs
Referrals are generally reimbursed by the health care company.
For an appraisal, workplace inspection or an exposure assessment a quotation will be issued in advance.

Referrals/appointments
If you need more information about our services or wish to refer a patient, visit our website and fill in the referral form or contact us via telephone.
For additional questions, please contact Mrs. V.A.C. Zaat - v.zaat@nkal.nl

NECORD Members of Staff
J.M. Rooijackers, MD PhD, chest physician
G.B.G.J. van Rooy, MD, occupational physician
H. Stigter, MD, occupational physician
R Houba RAH, MS, PhD, occupational hygienist
Mrs V.A.C. Zaat, occupational hygienist
Mrs M.M. Zengeni, respiratory technologist, environmental scientist