How Your Medical Advisor Can Take a More Active Role in Workplace Wellness and Treatment

I was recently speaking with a company using their medical advisor to contact injured employees.

Here is the procedure:
When a claim is called in to the risk manager, she notes the claims, reports it to carrier, then contacts the medical advisor. The doctor immediately phones the injured employee to discuss the injury and care. If either the medical advisor or the employee thinks on-site medical care is needed he (the doctor) telephones the clinic to tell them the employee is en-route and the employee immediately is transported to the clinic. After the visit, the clinic calls the medical advisor back to let him know how the employee is. If the employee does not need on-site clinical treatment, the medical advisor tells the employee how to administer home care (such as icing a strain) and how to take non-steroidal OTC medication in proper doses. The doctor personally follows up with each employee within 24-48 hours.

The benefits:
1-The employees are delighted to have access to immediate medical attention from an MD.

2-The employees recieve treatment sooner when the doctor telephones the clinic to tell them of the employee’s arrival.

3-There are fewer lost time claims and when lost time is necessary employees return to work more rapidly.

4-Unnecessary physical therapy (often in facilities affiliated with the occupational clinic) is avoided.

5-It cuts down on the number of OSHA recordable incidents because employees can speak with the doctor instead of going to a clinic. Doctor can often advise employee of non-steroidal over-the-counter medication at non-prescription strength.

5-It is a deterrant to fraud.

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Do not use this information without independent verification. All state laws are different. Consult with your corporate legal counsel before implementing any cost containment programs.