Industrial Rehabilitation Services: Objectives & Results

ObjectivesThe patient and employer can expect the highest standards of care. We are committed to:

• A holistic collection of information, including a thorough medical history, personal interview and physical evaluation Continuous assessment of patient and family needs, re-evaluation of the plan of care, refining goals, transitioning to discharge Recording meaningful objective and subjective information on progress and patient status in the daily notes, evaluations, and progress notes and functional capacity evaluations Insuring a safe physical environment for the patient, emphasizing safety measures Explaining treatment to the patient; the patient is most cooperative if he/she understands the treatment, why it is necessary and how he/she can assist in the recovery process. Properly understood explanations tend to decrease tension and fears Safeguarding the right to privacy by protecting confidential information and sharing only what is relevant to care Teaching self-care and patient independence
• Budgeting and accountability that will deliver care at the lowest possible cost to the payer

Results We have helped our largest industrial client to consistently meet their OSHA goals. Because of our emphasis on injury prevention, we have actually reduced the number of employees we treat. There has been a consistent trend. For example, in 1996 we saw 276 new patients with recordable injuries, 203 in 1997, 209 in 1998, 193 in 1999, 142 in 2000 and 139 in 2001. Therefore over a six year period we have seen a 49.6% decrease in the number of new patients with recordable injuries.One of our clients achieved a near-perfect safety audit in August 1999 based on its safety practices and rate of recordable injuries. The plant also received an “exceptional” rating for the ergonomics module in the last three safety audits. We have been an integral part of the safety effort with our preventative education programs, work site evaluations, stretching programs for specific job stations with posting of these next to the job description so all members of the team can benefit from the information, as well as, our participation in the ergonomic and wellness committee team meetings. We have also been able to add input to recommendations for equipment changes such as lifts and positioning of line equipment as well as retooling of hand tools for a better match ergonomically.We are actively involved in an Early Warning Program (EWP) at one of our industrial sites. Therapy, along with ergonomics, safety and medical all go onto the plant floor together to evaluate workstations. Together as a team, decisions are made and followed through by the agreed upon personnel. This program’s emphasis is to intervene as early as possible to prevent work related injuries. A request to go to the floor can be made by the plant manager, the superintendent, the foreman, the area manager or the employee.