Traditional Clinic vs Online Respirator Medical Evaluation
Complete cost, time, and compliance comparison for OSHA 1910.134 respirator medical evaluations. Ready to switch? Complete your online respirator medical evaluation in 15 minutes.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Traditional Clinic | Online Evaluation |
|---|---|---|
| Cost per Evaluation | $75-300 | $17-22 |
| Time Required | 2-4 hours (travel + wait + appointment) | 15 minutes |
| Results Delivery | 3-7 business days | Instant (98% auto-cleared) |
| Scheduling | Appointment needed (1-2 weeks out) | 24/7 immediate access |
| OSHA Compliance | Yes | Yes |
| PLHCP Review | MD/DO/PA/NP | Board-Certified MD |
| Multi-Location Support | Each employee travels separately | Centralized HQ dashboard |
| Record Storage (30 years) | Paper files in filing cabinets | Automatic cloud storage |
| Annual Cost (100 employees) | $7,500-30,000 | $1,700-2,200 |
Calculate Your Annual Savings
Employees Needing Testing
Current Cost Per Test
$
$2,000
Annual Savings
vs $100 per test
93.75
Hours Reclaimed
3.75 hours saved per employee
2.3
Work Weeks Saved
Back to production
Real Cost Analysis: 100-Employee Manufacturing Company
Traditional Clinic Route
- Clinic Fee
$150 per evaluation × 100 employees
$15,000
- Employee Time Cost
$25/hour × 3 hours × 100 employees
$7,500
- Lost Productivity
300 hours of work time
300 hrs
Total First-Year Cost:
$22,500
Online Route
- Online Evaluation Fee
$17 per test × 100 employees
$1,700
- Employee Time Cost
$25/hour × 0.25 hours × 100 employees
$625
- Lost Productivity
25 hours of work time
25 hrs
Total First-Year Cost:
$2,325
When to Use Traditional Clinic Evaluations
- High-Risk Respiratory Conditions Flagged
Severe asthma, COPD, recent heart attack, or other concerning responses on questionnaire
- Physical Exam Required
Spirometry testing, chest X-rays, or pulmonary function tests needed
- Workers' Compensation Medical Exams
Bundling respirator evaluation with injury-related occupational health services
- Preference for In-Person Care
Employees who prefer face-to-face medical interactions
Approximately 2% of respirator medical evaluations require clinic follow-up.
When to Use Online Evaluations (98% of Cases)
- Healthy Employees with No Respiratory Concerns
The vast majority of workers answer 'No' to all medical screening questions
- Large Employee Populations (50+ Workers)
Coordinating 50+ clinic appointments is logistically difficult and expensive
- Multi-Location Operations
Employees spread across different cities, states, or countries
- Budget-Conscious Organizations
Need OSHA compliance without breaking the bank
- Fast Onboarding Needs
New hires need to start using respirators immediately, not in 2 weeks
- Remote or Field Workers
Employees who don't come to a central office location
OSHA Compliance: Both Methods Are Equal
OSHA 1910.134 requires that a Physician or Other Licensed Health Care Professional (PLHCP) review employee medical questionnaires and make clearance decisions. The standard does NOT require in-person evaluations.
| OSHA Requirement | Traditional Clinic | Online Evaluation |
|---|---|---|
| Use OSHA Appendix C questionnaire | ||
| Licensed PLHCP reviews responses | ||
| PLHCP makes clearance decision | ||
| Medical clearance certificate issued | ||
| Records retained for 30 years | ||
| Follow-up evaluations when needed |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is online evaluation as good as in-person?
A: For the 98% of employees with no respiratory risk factors, yes. The PLHCP reviews the same OSHA questionnaire and makes the same clearance decision. The only difference is delivery method—employees complete the form online instead of on paper at a clinic.
Q: Will OSHA accept online evaluations during an inspection?
A: Yes. OSHA does not require in-person evaluations. Inspectors verify that: 1) OSHA Appendix C questionnaire was used, 2) a licensed PLHCP reviewed it, 3) clearance certificate was issued, and 4) records are retained for 30 years. Online platforms meet all these requirements.
Q: Who reviews the online questionnaires?
A: RespiratorTest.com uses Dr. Nader Mikhail, MD, a board-certified physician licensed in California. All flagged questionnaires (approximately 2% of submissions) are reviewed by Dr. Mikhail within 24 business hours. The remaining 98% result in automatic medical clearance.
Q: Can we switch from clinic to online mid-year?
A: Yes. You can transition to online evaluations immediately. Employees who already have valid clinic evaluations don't need to repeat the process until their annual renewal. New employees and renewals can use online evaluations right away.
Q: What happens if an employee's online evaluation is flagged?
A: If concerning responses are flagged (breathing problems, heart conditions, etc.), the questionnaire is routed to our Medical Review Officer for evaluation. The PLHCP may: 1) approve with no restrictions, 2) approve with limitations (specific respirator types, limited duration), or 3) recommend follow-up in-person evaluation for complex cases.
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