AMSP B Reading Information
FormsHistory and physical form NAVMED 6260/5 (Rev. 5-90) and B-Reading form NAVMED 6260/7 (5-90) are 2-part carbon-copy forms; the reverse of each form has further information and instructions. They also are available for download here: 6260/5 front, 6260/5 reverse, 6260/7 front, 6260/7 reverse.
UPDATE: Effective 2007, NEHC has been renamed to the Navy and Marine Corps Public Health Center (NMCPHC). The mailing address in NAVMED 6260/5 should be updated to:
Navy and Marine Corps Public Health Center
620 John Paul Jones Circle, Suite 1100
Portsmouth, VA 23708-2103
There are 2 categories of asbestos workers: past workers and current workers. "Past workers" are workers with asbestos exposure only in their past. "Current workers" have current, ongoing asbestos exposure as documented by industrial hygiene risk assessments.
Plain film chest X-rays (also called film screen radiography or FSR) are required for CURRENT WORKERS.
For PAST WORKERS, either FSR or digital chest X-rays (whether digital radiography or computed radiography) may be used for medical surveillance.
All asbestos chest X-rays must be on 14" x 17" film. If digital radiography is used, the X-rays must be printed full-size onto 14" x 17" film for B-reading.
Enrollment in asbestos medical surveillance programs shall be based upon current industrial hygiene risk assessments and interviews by occupational health professionals. See OPNAV 5100.23G, Chapter 17, Asbestos Control for further information (available for download from the Naval Safety Center and the Department of the Navy Issuances).
Chest X-Rays for B-Reading
- Plain Film Chest X-Ray Protocol For The Asbestos Medical Surveillance Program
- Imaging System and X-Ray Technique Recommendations
- Guidelines for Completing NAVMED 6260/7
- Requests for Authorization to Ship X-rays for B-Readings
- ATSDR - Asbestos Exposure and Your Health
(This is a link to the ATSDR web site containing information on asbestos exposure and health.)
Our fiscal department plans to process all requirements for B readings within 10 working days, and fax the delivery order to the requesters. If the fax does not work, then the delivery orders will be mailed. If you have not received your order within 2 weeks, call DSN 377-0926, 953-0926, and fax number is 953-0999, or email B-Reader-Order@nehc.mar.med.navy.mil. Delivery orders can be issued for 1 to 100 films, so you can request delivery orders routinely and frequently enough to avoid any backlog. It remains critical that your request match the actual order you receive, especially the number of reports to be completed. If a delivery order is not what you need or expected, please contact NMCPHC at the above numbers.
To ensure your orders are processed accurately and that you receive the delivery orders promptly, please be sure your request for B readings includes the following information.
- Complete mailing address - to ensure the delivery order will reach your office.
- Point of contact
- Phone number
- Fax number
- Email (optional)
- UIC - of the location the clinic where you are working.
Also, a reminder that when you have questions about B reading results or need new mailing cases, contact OEM at NMCPHC at DSN 377-0728, 757-953-0728, Fax 757-953-0670 or email OEM
C Reading Procedures and Guidelines — PROGRAM CHANGE 05 JAN 2005:
C-reading is no longer required for the Navy AMSP.
The NMCPHC (formerly NEHC) Field Operation Manual has been revised to reflect this program change. Review of the AMSP database reveals a decreased incidence of substandard or “unreadable” chest radiographs forwarded for B-reading. As a result, the Navy requirement for submission of films for “C-reading” for quality assurance and certification of radiography equipment was cancelled. Film quality problems will be identified and addressed through continued quality assurance.
Please contact OEM at DSN 377-0728, 757-953-0728, Fax 757-953-0670 or email OEM to discuss any questions you have relating to C Readings.
Content last reviewed on June 29, 2010.