Workers’ Comp Rehabilitation
At SOG we understand that the injured worker’s rehabilitation process is unique. We treat work-related injuries and provide both industrial consulting and injury prevention services for our corporate and industrial clients. Our specially trained therapists deliver care with a positive approach and focus on goal-oriented treatment programs, designed to return the injured worker back to work efficiently and safely. We customize care to the specific needs of the injured worker and their employer and understand the importance of the relationship between the physicians, insurance companies, nurse case managers and employers. At SOG, we strive to maintain open lines of communication and keep all parties informed throughout the recovery and rehabilitation process.
In Addition to Comprehensive Work Injury Management, We Also Offer:
- Evaluation within 24 hours from the time of referral, with approval
- Ongoing communication with functional progress updates including recovery and attendance
- Early morning and evening appointments available to avoid work schedule conflicts
- Job specific tasks to assure physical abilities
- Communication with physicians on objective physical capabilities
Services:
- Concussion Management
- Fit For Duty Testing
- Functional Progress Notes
- Work Conditioning
Functional Progress Note
What is a Functional Progress Note?
We utilize functional testing with workers’ compensation clients to establish an objective measure of their current work abilities. Having functional information, such as lifting ability, will assist in identifying light duty options for injured workers. Our therapists tailor the worker‘s plan of care to include job-related activities with long-term goals based on the injured worker’s job description.
Why a Functional Progress Note versus a traditional status report?
- Having full range of motion and strength does not necessarily mean the injured worker is ready to RTW (return to work)
- Providing only strength and range of motion measurements does not indicate what a worker can do functionally
- It provides physicians objective data on work ability, rather than guessing about appropriate restrictions
- Knowing current work abilities allows for more meaningful light duty placement
How will Functional Progress Notes benefit my company?
- Better addresses RTW, providing more specific and accurate restrictions based on the current limitations
- Reduces the DART rate (Days Away Restricted or Transferred)
- Allows employer to return worker to regular position and restrict only specific tasks
- Allows for quicker progression of RTW full duty following therapy
Work Conditioning
What is Work Conditioning?
Work Conditioning is a program designed to rehabilitate an injured worker and includes strengthening, endurance training and work simulation with a goal of return to work.
How we determine an appropriate candidate for a Work Conditioning program?
- RISK – is the patient at risk of re-injury or causing injury to co-workers?
- CAPACITY – can the patient meet the minimum job requirements?
- TOLERANCE – what is the patients’ ability to perform tasks with pain, subjective complains?
AMA Guides to the Evaluation of Work Ability and Return to Work
Our Work Conditioning program features:
- Conditioning up to 4 hours/day and 3-5 days/week
- Typical program duration is 2-4 weeks
- Program may involve a job site visit and/or equipment from the employer to use in the clinic for work simulation
- Focus on the work-related injury and improving the employee’s ability to perform the essential functions of their job safely
- Communication with case manager/physician/carrier a minimum of 1x/week including:
- Client performance, sincerity of effort, discharge planning
- Professional opinion regarding clients ability to return to work and when
Ergonomic/Job Site Hazard Analysis
An ergonomic/job site hazard analysis is an assessment of various factors, including work behaviors and work conditions that may contribute to job-related injuries or illnesses. Historical data, such as injury and severity rates, for each department can be reviewed to establish a baseline. Objective data for ergonomic analysis is collected, such as time and movement data, to determine risk levels due to the presence of force, repetition, vibration, loads lifted, awkward postures, etc. Recommendations for addressing the risk factors identified are made based on the company’s individual needs/requests. These may include recommendations for job modification, workflow changes, fitness for work testing, education in safe work practices, design of administrative controls or job rotation.
When should Ergonomic Assessment be used? Ask yourself these questions:
- Why are we experiencing multiple injuries in the same work area?
- Why are my employees complaining of pain or fatigue?
- What can be done to make this a safer job?
How will ergonomic assessments benefit my company and prevent my employees from needing work-related physical therapy?
- Identify/ergonomic hazards
- Make recommendations to improve work design and abate hazards
- Reduce injuries/decrease workers’ comp costs
- By investigating sources of increased injuries in a specific job
- Identify ways to make a job safer and reduce biomechanical stresses
- Investigate impact of making changes to a line
- Establish appropriate heights and configuration of work areas to accommodate your work force
Job Demands Analysis
A job demands analysis is an objective measurement of the physical demands of the job in order to create a functional job description. Utilizing proper Department of Labor (DOL) terminology, job requirements are quantified such as manual material handling demands (weights lifted and forces exerted), static position requirements, dynamic mobility required and other occupational aptitudes. This information can be utilized to establish ADA compliant job descriptions and to define the essential functions of the job. Essential functions are what the employee must be able to do with or without providing accommodations. We also identify any personal protective equipment (PPE), working conditions and equipment or tools utilized.
When should a JDA be used? Ask yourself these questions:
- Are our job descriptions ADA compliant?
- How do we know what strength is required to do the job?
- How can we safely accommodate restrictions or place employees in light duty?
How would a JDA benefit my company?
- Establish essential functions required to do the job
- Employees/new hires informed/aware of job demands
Early Symptom Intervention
Early symptom intervention, ESI, is a program designed to help improve employee health by focusing on alleviating musculoskeletal discomforts. By improving the employee’s health, the company should see an increase in productivity, a reduction in injury rates and a decrease in worker’s compensation cost. Companies that utilize ESI programs have reported a 100% return on investment and 90% reported a reduction of loss time by 25%.¹ The ESI program focuses on improving musculoskeletal discomforts by developing exercise programs, utilizing soft splints, posture modifications and ice or heat. ESI could address conditions including but not limited to sprains and strains, muscle tightness, soreness and fatigue.
What services can a Certified Athletic Trainer provide in an occupational setting?
- Early Symptom Intervention (ESI)
- Alleviating musculoskeletal discomfort associated with overuse
- Job placement
- Finding jobs that fit within the given restrictions
- Pre-employment screenings
- Assessing workers’ physical fitness to determine proper job or area placement
What are the benefits of ESI in the occupational setting?
- Decrease days away from work
- Improve the efficiency of the worker
- Help lower the amount of DART (Days Away Restricted or Transferred) cases
- Improve the work conditions
- Decrease the amount of workman’s comp claims
1. “Athletic Trainers Provide High Return on Investment in Today’s Workplace”. NATA.org. 2014.
Functional Capacity Evaluations (FCEs)
What is a Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE)?
An FCE is a comprehensive series of functional tests that objectively measures a client’s physical abilities. At SOG, we use ErgoScience Physical Work Performance Evaluation, which has been studied for reliability and validity, with the results published in peer reviewed literature. This means that you get results that you can trust. FCEs can last anywhere from 2-4 hours and are designed to determine functional abilities, restrictions, if needed, and endurance for tolerating the workday.
When should an FCE be used?
An FCE can occur anytime; however, some of the more common uses are:
- End of a sub-acute phase
- Case settlement
- Establish baseline for work conditioning
- Post-offer employment testing
When should an FCE be used?
An FCE can aid the physician’s ability to evaluate medical impairments, provide baseline for treatment and establish safe physical abilities for making return-to-work decisions. For a worker’s compensation carrier, an FCE can confirm an injury and be used to assist in case resolution. For an employer, and FCE can help return an employee back to work safely, providing data for ergonomic interventions and possible job modifications.
Post-Offer Employment Testing (POET)
Post Offer Employment Testing (POET) is an evaluation of a prospective employee’s ability to perform the physical demands of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. A job offer can be made contingent upon successful completion of the POET. This test is based on the essential demands of a job. Once this test has been established for a given position, it can be used for “Fit for Duty Testing” prior to a worker returning to a job after an injury to ensure the work can be performed safely. Utilizing this form of testing can ensure that the company’s work force is capable and safe in performing the required physical demands of the job.
When should a company consider POETs? Ask yourself these questions:
- Are you having injuries within the first 6 months of hire?
- Do employees leave the job because “it’s too hard”?
- Do you have an aging work force?
How will POETs benefit my company?
- Reduce injuries/decrease w/c costs
- Promote worker safety
- Identify individuals not capable of performing heavy demands of job
- Reduce turnover of entry-level positions that are physically demanding
- Improve retention-employees aware of job requirements before starting a job
- Provide information to determine physical capacity for job transfers