As officials in Nova Scotia (Canada) see it, getting workers back quickly and safely from injuries benefits employers, the employee and the overall economy.
Research shows the longer someone is away from work due to an injury, the less likely they will ever return to their job.
To help injured workers get speedier access to the surgical care they need so they can return to work, the Workers Compensation Board of Nova Scotia (WCB) is partnering with Annapolis Valley Health (AVH) to maximize unused operating room capacity to provide more timely surgical services to about 500 injured workers a year.
Under the program, injured workers will still be seen by their family doctor. If a surgical consultation or procedure is required, it will be delivered through the new program managed by AVH.
The program officially began in late April.
Steady Progress, But More Work Necessary
“We are seeing steady progress in reducing the number of people who get hurt on the job in Nova Scotia. Yet every year thousands of people are still injured, some seriously,” said Stuart MacLean, CEO, WCB. “We need to do everything we can to ensure they recover and get back to their regular life and job. Ensuring they have timely access to surgical services can play a big part in helping to make that happen.”
In 2013, the WCB issued a request for proposals from Health Authorities interested in partnering to create and manage the Centralized Surgical Services Program. AVH is also working with other District Health Authorities to support this program where it is cost effective to do so.
“Annapolis Valley Health and our partners have the opportunity and capacity to provide this important service to injured workers in Nova Scotia. We will be using operating room time that is not publicly funded and not currently used in the public system,” added Janet Knox, president and CEO, AVH. Surgeries, like all medical services provided to workers receiving workers’ compensation benefits, are paid by the WCB, not MSI.
“This approach to expediting surgery to help injured workers return to work in Nova Scotia is really a win-win,” remarked Dr. Eric Howatt, an orthopaedic surgeon at AVH. “It means injured workers will be able to get back to their job and life more quickly, and it also means that we’re not taking up elective surgery time from the public.”
Author Kori Shafer-Stack, Editor, Amaxx Risk Solutions, Inc. is an expert in post-injury response procedures and part of the Amaxx team helping companies reduce their workers compensation costs by 20% to 50%. www.reduceyourworkerscomp.com. Contact: [email protected].
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