Roadway accidents have been the leading cause of workplace fatalities for the past 5 years. Distracted driving is one of the top reasons for roadway fatalities, after alcohol and speeding.

Research suggests that drivers only see about half of all the information in their driving environment when they are using a phone — whether it is handheld or hands-free. These drivers have a 17-percent higher risk of having an accident or near-miss on the road. Texting presents even more of a risk to drivers, making them 5 times more likely to have an accident or near-miss.

Sadly, while most people believe cellphone use increases the risk of accidents, most of us also don’t believe we are creating a risk by using a phone ourselves while driving — it’s the other drivers. But with education and strong policies that are strictly enforced, employers can prevent distracted driving-related accidents among their workers.

The Problem

Three types of distractions reduce a person’s driving ability:

1. Visual — anything that takes the person’s eyes off the road
2. Manual — anything that takes the driver’s hands off the wheel
3. Cognitive — anything that takes the driver’s focus off driving

Cellphone use can include all three, especially handheld use. Educating employees on the dangers of cellphone use while driving can be effective.

A study of healthcare workers in Arizona resulted in a 50-percent decrease in distracted driving after an education and intervention program. It was explained to the workers, for example, that using a cellphone while driving is equivalent to driving with a blood-alcohol level of 0.08 — the legal limit for intoxication. Also, the average five seconds a driver’s eyes are diverted while texting and driving at 55 miles an hour is akin to traveling the distance of a football field while blindfolded.

Posters were placed throughout the facility where the employees worked, along with information brochures about distracted driving. More than half the workers later admitted they drove distracted but said they had changed their habits after the educational program. Six months later, more than half had still reduced or eliminated cellphone use while driving.

Policy Elements

In addition to giving employees the facts about distracted driving, organizations that implement strict policies have seen significant reductions in at-fault collisions.

The policy needs to be clearly written and communicated and appropriate for the company. Each employer’s policy may be slightly different from that of other organizations.

The policy does not need to be lengthy; one page is sufficient. It can start with a statement explaining why the company is implementing the policy. For example, it seeks to protect its workers and eliminate unnecessary driving risks, comply with all state and federal motor vehicle laws, reduce operational and financial risks, and strengthen the reputation of the company.

It should explain who and what it covers, including:

• All employees
• Company-provided cellphones, and other electronic devices that may be used while driving
• Company-owned vehicles
• Personal vehicles when used on company business
• Work-related communications, whether in a company or personal vehicle and company or personal device

Restrictions can include the use of handheld or hands-free phones, computers, GPS tools or other electronic devices while the person is operating the vehicle — including while the vehicle is at a traffic light or stop sign. It should specify that the restriction on electronic devices includes answering or making calls, and reading or responding to emails, texts, tweets, or instant messages. The exception would be only when the car is parked in a safe location.

It may also state that phones must be turned off or silenced before starting the car. Employees should inform business colleagues, associates, and clients of the policy to explain why calls are not immediately answered or returned. They might be required to activate an automatic answering message that explains they are driving and not available.

The policy should conclude with the effective date and a required signature of the employee to acknowledge he has read and understands it.

Once the policy has been implemented, it should be reviewed often to make sure it addresses any new hazards or technologies.

Enforce the Policy

The policy should state that failure to comply will result in specific penalties. For example, it may say the person will initially be given two warning, while a third violation would be grounds for termination.

An effective method to ensure compliance with the policy is through cellphone blocking technology. This is available from many wireless services and companies that provide these apps. Basic systems can prevent calls or texts while a vehicle is in motion. Some systems can additionally block audio features and track a driver’s speed and other actions, such as sudden stops. Some also send information about the employee’s driving to employers.

Conclusion

Distracted driving is both deadly and preventable. A well-written, simple policy that restricts employees from using electronic devices while driving can go a long way to preventing roadway tragedies.

Author Michael Stack, CEO Amaxx LLC. He is an expert in workers’ compensation cost containment systems and helps employers reduce their workers’ comp costs by 20% to 50%.  He works as a consultant to large and mid-market clients, is a co-author of Your Ultimate Guide To Mastering Workers Comp Costs, a comprehensive step-by-step manual of cost containment strategies based on hands-on field experience, and is the founder & lead trainer of Amaxx Workers’ Comp Training Center.

Contact: mstack@reduceyourworkerscomp.com.

Workers’ Comp Roundup Blog: http://blog.reduceyourworkerscomp.com/

©2019 Amaxx LLC. All rights reserved under International Copyright Law.

Do not use this information without independent verification. All state laws vary. You should consult with your insurance broker, attorney, or qualified professional.

Article originally published on Medcor Health Blog

Does your back hurt? Are you experiencing neck pain? Do you find yourself complaining of hand, arm, knee, or muscle aches? If so, you may be suffering from a musculoskeletal disorder (MSD). Discomfort/pain, numbness, tingling, stiffness, burning, cramping, and swelling of bones, joints, muscles, tendons, and ligaments can be symptoms of MSDs. If work or leisure activities are causing discomfort – it is time to become more ergonomically aware.

MSDs are conditions of muscles (sprains/strains), tendons (inflammation), ligaments, joints (arthritis), and nerves that are often associated with exposures to ergonomic risk factors, including: awkward postures, repetition, force, contact stress, and vibration.1 Age, sex, obesity, and health conditions (i.e., diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and hypothyroidism) can also play a factor.

Truth: Being Aware Of Ergonomic Risk Factors Can Significantly Reduce Your Chance Of Developing MSDs

Being aware of ergonomic risk factors can significantly reduce your chance of developing MSDs which have costly and disabling effects for many Americans. An estimated 126.6 million Americans aged 18 and older suffer from MSDs – that is one in two adults.2 Costs related to MSDs involve treatment (medical visits, prescriptions), lost wages, and work-related injuries, estimated to exceed $200 billion annually.3

MSDs often result in chronic complaints, disability, issues with mobility and decreased quality of life and are the second largest contributor to disability worldwide. Frequently, MSDs result in work-related injuries impacting worker’s compensation costs, absenteeism, and productivity.

Truth: One-Third Of Million Nonfatal Workplace Injuries/Illnesses Result In Days Away From Work

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that approximately 2.8 million nonfatal workplace injuries/illnesses occurred in 2017, one third of those resulted in days away from work. MSDs represented 32% of those injuries.4

Employers and workers share in the responsibility to help reduce risk factors by understanding ergonomics, taking actions to decrease those risks, and promoting best work practices throughout the organization. Ergonomics involves everyone.

Truth: Ergonomics Help The Job Fit The Worker

Ergonomics includes engineering, administrative, and personal controls to help the job fit the worker, rather than trying to have the worker fit the job.5

Engineering controls include: workspace design, reducing the weight of loads or applying lift-assist devices, automating processes, and re-designing tools to promote neutral postures.6

Administrative controls focus on establishing work practices to reduce the risk of injury and encompass actions such as job rotation, managing over-time, providing adequate staffing, reviewing injury logs, performing accident investigations, promoting near-miss reporting, providing employee education on MSDs/risk factors, encouraging early reporting of work-related injuries/illnesses, implementing break and stretching schedules, discussing work load and job satisfaction with employees, and maintaining equipment and tools.7 Providing ergonomic friendly accessories, such as: adjustable table/chairs, lumbar supports, footrests, arm supports, document holders, sit/stand work stations can each promote the job fitting the worker.

Personal Controls

Lastly, personal controls include the appropriate use of personal protective equipment (PPE), being mindful of posturing, alternating between sitting and standing, reporting of work injuries at the first sign of discomfort, participating in ergonomic stretches/micro-breaks and safety committees.8 Everyone should be mindful of posturing (feet flat on the floor or footrest, back supported, elbows close to body, avoid slouching, keep neutral postures), avoid awkward positions (bending the neck, static postures, placing wrists at extreme angles, working above shoulder height, stooping/crouching), reduce unnecessary movements, limit carrying heavy loads, avoid excessive bending and twisting, avoid over reaching, and keep frequently used items within a safe reach zone.9

Implementing ergonomic awareness and promoting a culture of safety and overall total worker health will reduce the risk of work-related injuries, increase productivity and job satisfaction, decrease costs associated with worker’s compensation and health premiums. The truth is, awareness goes a long way in preventing injury.

This article is not meant to diagnose or treat any condition. Always consult your primary care provider for healthcare instructions.

Author Ashley Clay, MSPAS, PA-C, Medcor Provider. Medcor helps employers reduce the costs of workers’ compensation and general health care by providing injury triage services and operating worksite health and wellness clinics. Medcor’s services are available 24/7 nationwide for worksites of any size in any industry. Headquartered in McHenry, Illinois, the company operates 174 clinics and provides triage services to over 90,000 worksites across all 50 states and US territories. Medcor’s triage methods are covered by U.S. & foreign patents, including U.S. No. 7,668,733; 7,716,070; & 7,720,692; other patents pending. Medcor is privately held. Learn more at www.medcor.com.

1. Occupational Safety and Health Administration, “Ergonomics: Overview,” accessed March 15, 2019, https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/ergonomics/index.html.
2. Bone and Joint Initiative USA, “The Impact of Musculoskeletal Disorders on Americans—Opportunities for Action,” Executive Summary of The Burden of Musculoskeletal Diseases in the United States: Prevalence, Societal and Economic Cost, third edition.
3. Ibid.
4. United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, “2017 Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses Charts Package,” https://www.bls.gov/iif/osch0062.pdf.
5. Occupational Safety and Health Administration, “Ergonomics: Overview,” accessed March 15, 2019, https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/ergonomics/index.html.
6. Occupational Safety and Health Administration, “Ergonomics: Solutions to Control Hazards,” accessed March 15, 2019, https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/ergonomics/controlhazards.html.
7. Ibid.
8. Ibid.
9. Washington State Department of Labor and Industries, “Ergonomics Principles for Reducing Awkward Postures,” accessed March 15, 2019, http://www.lni.wa.gov/Safety/SprainsStrains/AwkwardPostures/ReducingAwkwardPostures.pdf.

Dr. Thomas Glimp, Medcor Chief Medical Officer

We live in an age of scientific enlightenment. Science, through technology, has made remarkable advances in the 20th and early 21st centuries.

Health advances over the same time include sanitation and hygiene with cleaner water and food, advanced imaging technologies using ionizing radiation and nuclear magnetic resonance, minimally invasive surgical techniques, organ transplantation, the discovery of DNA and sequencing of the human genome, the relationship of the genome to heritability and disease with great promise for  future  health, the discovery and mass production of antibiotics and widespread vaccination. Because of these and other health innovations, the average U.S. life expectancy increased from 47 years to 77 years in the 20th century.

Most bacteria are still susceptible to at least one or a few antibiotics, but we are getting uncomfortably close to the abyss.

In spite of these advancements, there is a skepticism of science in general and of medicine in particular. Skepticism can complicate daily medical management. Let’s look at an example:

Antibiotic Abuse

There, I’ve said it – abuse. Not overuse, but abuse. Antibiotics, one of the most important discoveries in the history of medicine are abused and, as a result, are losing their life-saving power.

Antibiotics are substances produced by microorganisms, including molds, that inhibit or kill competing microbes. Alexander Fleming accidentally discovered penicillin, the first antibiotic, in 1928. Fleming saw that staph bacteria growing in a petri dish were inhibited by a green mold (Penicillium notatum) contaminant. Through further testing, he found that “juice” produced by this mold inhibited or killed any number of pathogenic bacteria. Penicillium “mold juice” ultimately became the first antibiotic, penicillin. During World War II the U.S. War Production Board recognized the strategic value of penicillin and made its production a priority under the direction of Albert Elder,  known  as  the  “Penicillin  Czar.” I mention Elder for this quote:

You are urged to impress upon every worker in your plant that penicillin produced today will be saving the life of someone in a few days or curing the disease of someone now incapacitated.[1]

While true then, we have squandered the value of penicillin and many more antibiotics today. How do bacteria become resistant to antibiotics?  It’s all about selection pressure. The CDC explains it well:

Every time a person takes antibiotics, sensitive bacteria (bacteria that antibiotics can still attack) are killed, but resistant bacteria are left to grow and multiply. This is how repeated use of antibiotics can increase the number of drug-resistant bacteria.[2]

This is true whether the person given antibiotics has a bacterial or viral infection. The overuse of antibiotics promotes resistant bacteria, even if the infection is not bacterial. The “bathing” of our population in unnecessary antibiotics for medical illnesses that are not or only rarely bacterial – colds, bronchitis, sinusitis, etc. – has led to resistance and a tragic loss of antibiotic effectiveness. You have undoubtedly heard about “MRSA” – Methicillin Resistant Staph Aureus. You are just as likely to have not heard about VASA, VRE and the hundreds of other highly resistant bacteria for which there are few antibiotic choices. In just the past year, resistance was reported to the last remaining antibiotic, colistin, to which no resistance had previously been described. Fortunately, most bacteria are still susceptible to at least one or a few antibiotics, but we are getting uncomfortably close to the abyss.

There is a delicate balance between clinical need and preventing resistance. To prevent resistance, antibiotic use must be thoughtful and frugal. The world is lacking that balance.

There are three culprits:

• agricultural use of antibiotics in livestock feed
• overuse of antibiotics through free access in much of the world
• over-prescription of antibiotics by medical providers.

Our focus at Medcor has been on appropriate antibiotic prescribing practices or “Antibiotic Stewardship.” Our perennial campaign is comprised of patient education materials, including handouts and posters, specific provider support through education, monitoring of prescription practices, and feedback.

A world with effective antibiotics sounds like a place we’d all like, but there are considerable obstacles to antibiotic stewardship, not the least of which is skepticism.  When it comes to antibiotics, physicians and other medical providers seem to have little credibility with patients.  Providers seem unable to convince patients that not every infection can be successfully treated with antibiotics and further that indiscriminate antibiotic use is unnecessary and unwise. In a study published in the British Journal of General Practice, antibiotic prescribing volume was a strong predictor of “doctor satisfaction” and “practice satisfaction.” In this study, 55% of physicians reported pressure to prescribe antibiotics, 45% had prescribed antibiotics for a viral Infection knowing that they would be ineffective, and 44% admitted that they had prescribed antibiotics in order to get a patient to leave. The authors calculated that a 25% reduction in antibiotic prescription would result in a 3-6 percentile decrease in national satisfaction ranking.[3]

There is a clash between what is right for patients and what is desired by patients. It is borne of the skepticism surrounding what is right.

The Point

So, what’s the point of this exercise? It’s to give you a better idea of the surprising pressures, born of skepticism, under which healthcare providers operate today and the complex realities of medical practice. Who would predict that dedication to evidence-based care would meet with patient resistance and poor impressions of provider performance? Overcoming skepticism is not easy, nor does the pressure relent. Toward the goal of better health for all, it is up to all involved in healthcare to show grit – passion plus perseverance wielding science as a weapon.

[1] Quoted In John Parascandola. “The Introduction of Antibiotics into Therapeutics in Sickness and Health in America: Readings in the History of Medicine and Public Health Third Edition Revised, ed. Judith Walzer Leavitt and Ronald L. Numbers (Madison University of Wisconsin Press 1997), 106

[2] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Antibiotic Resistance Questions and Answers” last modified May 29, 2018. https://www.cdc.gov/antibiotic-use/community/about/antibiotic-resistance-faqs.html

[3]  Mark Ashworth et al., “Antibiotic prescribing and patient satisfaction in primary care in England: Cross-sectional analysis of national patient survey data and prescribing data” The British Journal of General Practice: The Journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners 66, no 642 (2016 ): e40-e46. doi: 10.3399/bjgp15X688105.

Author Thomas Glimp, MD, Chief Medical Officer, Medcor. Dr. Glimp, MD joined Medcor in 1994. Tom is board certified in internal medicine and in emergency medicine. Dr. Glimp’s clinical affairs team provides standards, scope, guidelines and protocols, quality assurance, and other support for Medcor’s clinical services and staff. Medcor helps employers reduce the costs of workers’ compensation and general health care by providing injury triage services and operating worksite health and wellness clinics. Medcor’s services are available 24/7 nationwide for worksites of any size in any industry.

Many small and medium-size companies wish to create an effective wellness program like their larger competitors, but due to budget concerns and lack of personnel in the Human Resources Department, have not started their own wellness program. It is not as difficult as one might think.

Here are some guidelines on how to create an effective wellness program:

Management Support of Wellness is Step One 

Gaining management support for the implementation of a wellness program is the first step. As senior management is all about the financial success of the company, explaining how the wellness program will improve the company’s financial picture is a good place to start. Read the study on wellness programs completed by the Wellness Council of America. Explain how for every $1 spent on wellness programs, there was a $3 reduction in the cost of the health insurance program. If management is still not sold after learning the wellness program has an ROI of 3 for 1, an article published in Forbes states “According to the Centers for Disease Control, more than 75% of the employers’ health care costs and productivity losses are related to employee lifestyle choices.”
 

There is a similar correlation in workers compensation cost as healthier employees have fewer accidents, and when they do have an accident, they return to work sooner. This was supported by a combined 56 studies on worksite wellness programs. Per the American Journal of Health Promotion, there was a 32% reduction in workers compensation.
 

Form a Wellness Committee

After gaining the support and participation of senior management in the creation of a wellness program, form a wellness committee. Whether electing to utilize an outside company that has a wellness program already structured that can be implemented quickly or deciding to build your own company wellness program, the involvement of additional personnel from various departments will expand the ideas and ensures the success of the wellness program. Broad representation of the wellness committee will be drawn from human resources, finance, risk management, safety, union, senior management, and production. You can also invite volunteers from any department within the company. The wider the variety of specialties the better.
 

Establish Wellness Benchmarks

The goals and objectives of the wellness program should be the first order of business for the wellness committee. By establishing benchmarks, you will be able to measure the success of the wellness program. The primary reason companies abandon wellness programs is the failure to have benchmarks showing the success of the wellness program. Some benchmarks that can be considered include:

1. absenteeism
2. health care cost
3. employee retention rate
4. employee participation (percentage) in the wellness program
5. reduction in the number of workers compensation claims
6. reduction in overall workers compensation cost

Employee Involvement Is Essential

The wellness program should not be based solely on the ideas of the wellness committee. Employee interest and involvement are essential to the success of the wellness program. Obtain the input of the employees themselves in what they want to see in the wellness program. An anonymous survey, whether online or on paper, can be used to obtain employee input. Some categories that can be considered for inclusion in the survey for the wellness program include:

1. diet and nutrition
2. weight loss solo and weight loss groups
3. exercise equipment
4. walking solo /walking groups
5. muscle toning
6. reduction in blood pressure
7. reduction in cholesterol level
8. reduction in body mass index (BMI)
9. cessation of smoking
10. cessation of illicit drugs
11. cessation of alcohol abuse
12. healthier food options in company cafeteria/snack machines
13. on-site flu shots
14. hand sanitizers and other sanitizing items in a public area
15. ergonomics at work and home
16. seat belt use
17. safe driving
18. pamphlets and posters reminding employees of health topics ( pamphlets on cancer screenings)
19. vision screenings provided on-site (mandatory for all employees who drive on duty)
20. yoga classes before/after work hours

In addition to these topics, leave three or four blank lines on your survey for the employees to suggest their own wellness topics and concerns they would like to know more about or to have assistance with.
 

Implement and Promote Wellness Quickly

Once you have established the employees’ wellness program interest, implement and promote quickly to increase your odds of creating a successful wellness program. This can be done in a variety of ways including:

1. provide non-smokers with a $5 per week credit on their health insurance program
2. provide employees with a BMI under 30 with a $3 per week credit on their health insurance program
3. a $6 per week credit for the employees with a BMI under 26
4. provide pamphlets on wellness topics
5. have posters on wellness issues
6. offer “lunch and learn” on wellness topics
7. organize group walks before work/after work/lunch time
8. have wellness calendars
9. schedule on-site flu clinic (ask a nearby medical clinic for a group rate discount or inquire if the health insurance carrier will pay for it)

Give Enough Time to Realize Impact

After implementation of the wellness program, it is important to give the program enough time to have an impact. The above-mentioned benchmarks should be established on the first day of the wellness program, and the results measured after one, two and, three years. Evaluate what has worked and what has not. A repeat survey asking the employees who participated their impression of the wellness program is a good way to get additional feedback. Also, a survey for the employees who have not participated in the wellness program asking why they do not participate can provide insights on ways to improve the wellness program.
 

By establishing and creating a successful wellness program, you will improve the financial picture of your company, reduce absenteeism, reduce work comp claims, reduce health insurance claims and improve employee morale. It will also reduce your workload if you deal with human resources issues or workers compensation.

Author Rebecca Shafer, JD, President of Amaxx Risk Solutions, Inc. is a national expert in the field of workers compensation. She is a writer, speaker, and publisher. Her expertise is working with employers to reduce workers compensation costs, and her clients include airlines, healthcare, printing/publishing, pharmaceuticals, retail, hospitality, and manufacturing. She is the co-author of the #1 selling book on cost containment, Workers Compensation Management Program: Reduce Costs 20% to 50%. Contact:.

Contact: RShafer@ReduceYourWorkersComp.com.

Workers’ Comp Roundup Blog: https://blog.reduceyourworkerscomp.com/

©2018 Amaxx LLC. All rights reserved under International Copyright Law.

Do not use this information without independent verification. All state laws vary. You should consult with your insurance broker, attorney, or qualified professional.

Getting sustaining and plentiful sleep is among the top wellness lifestyle practices and guiding health principles. According to a recent poll by the National Sleep Foundation, 65% of Americans say they are more effective when they get enough sleep.  If sleep is key to helping us be more effective, shouldn’t we put effort into making sure we get enough quality sleep?

There are many actions you can take to improve both your sleep quantity and quality. Your bedroom environment is a great place to start. Researchers and experts from the Division of Sleep Medicine at Harvard Medical School and the National Sleep Foundation share the following advice to improve your sleep.

Routine and Consistency

Your body has an internal “clock” that regulates your sleep. Going to bed and waking up at the same time each day will help improve your sleep and waking hours. By doing relaxing things before bed like taking a bath or reading a book, you help cue your body to prepare for sleep. On the other hand, doing stressful activities before bed can increase your alertness and make it difficult to fall asleep.

Temperature

Our body temperature naturally decreases as we begin to fall asleep and the air temperature in the room can affect sleep quality. If it’s too hot, our natural dip in body temperature can be affected, causing restlessness. While the most favorable temperature varies from person to person, research suggests that a temperature around 65 degrees is best for quality sleep.

Light

As darkness settles, our bodies pro­ duce the hormone melatonin to help us prepare for sleep. Artificial light can hinder this process and trigger our brains to stay awake. Inspect your room for sources of light and consider using darkening curtains or shades to block out light. Make it a habit to keep light-producing electronics like cell phones, tablets, and TVs out of the bedroom.

Sound

Noise can disturb your sleep, even in subtle ways that you do not remember upon waking. It is important to create a quiet and constant bedroom environment to get quality sleep. White noise can help drown out sounds that disturb sleep like doors shutting or cars passing by. A fan, air purifier, or even a white noise app and speaker can provide a consistent background sound. Avoid using a TV as your noise filter since the sounds and light constantly change.

Smell

The air you breathe can positively or negatively affect your sleep. Studies suggest that the smell of lavender can have relaxing effects (even to the point of lowering blood pressure and heart rate). Using lavender essential oils or lavender scented candles before bed may help prepare you for a good night’s sleep.

Conversely,  allergens can prevent or interrupt a good night’s sleep. To reduce allergens in your environment, wash bed sheets in hot water once a week and blankets regularly. Also, use an air purifier that removes allergens, and keep windows closed when pollen counts are high.

Food

Some research suggests that foods containing the amino acid tryptophan can make you drowsy, helping prepare you for sleep. Turkey, eggs, chicken, fish, and nuts are common sources. But remember: Eating big meals or foods that upset your stomach before your regular bedtime can cause you discom­ fort and make it hard for you to sleep. So can alcohol (which has both sedative and stimulant effects) and true stimulants like caffeine.

Sleep is essential to our health and productivity. Make a conscious effort to establish bedtime routines and create an environment that improves your sleep quality. Talk with household members and seek their support. For more sleep tips and research, visit the National Sleep Foundation website and the Healthy Sleep website from Harvard here:

http://sleepfoundation.org/bedroom/

http://healthysleep.med.harvard.edu/healthy/

Author Pete Arens, Medcor, Wellness Manager. Medcor helps employers reduce the costs of workers’ compensation and general health care by providing injury triage services and operating worksite health and wellness clinics. Medcor’s services are available 24/7 nationwide for worksites of any size in any industry. Headquartered in McHenry, Illinois, the company operates 174 clinics and provides triage services to over 90,000 worksites across all 50 states and US territories. Medcor’s triage methods are covered by U.S. & foreign patents, including U.S. No. 7,668,733; 7,716,070; & 7,720,692; other patents pending. Medcor is privately held. Learn more at www.medcor.com.

Proactive workers’ compensation claim management teams are constantly seeking opportunities to reduce workers’ compensation costs and promote efficiencies.  One such area to address these concerns is battling comorbidities and developing a healthier workforce.  Doing so in an effective matter will reduce the cost of claims and significantly benefit your program.

What Are Comorbidities?

From a medical point of view, a “comorbidity” is a medical condition that exists along with other injuries or ailments.  An example of this in the context of a workers’ compensation claim is a claimant suffering from a work-related injury who has another medical condition.  Common examples include high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer or mental health conditions.  Modern medicine even classifies smoking and use of tobacco as a comorbid condition.

It is important for members of the claims management team to identify claimants who have a comorbid condition.  This is because they may often require additional medical care and treatment, or there could be an aggravation of the underlying condition as the result of the work injury.  The ramifications of this include prolonged disability, increased medical care and treatment, addiction to prescription pain medication or permanent and total disability.

Dealing with the Immediate Issues

Once a claim handler is aware of an injured worker with a comorbid condition, it is important to position the matter to avoid future long-term exposures.  In the short-term, members of the claims management team need to monitor claims with care.  This includes a number of actions to keep on top of the claim:

• Frequent contact with the employee to monitor progress and evaluate for referral to defense counsel;

• Determine if or when the employee should be seen for an independent medical examination. Depending on the nature of the claim and comorbid condition, this may require the use of multiple medical experts.  This is frequently common in claims involving an underlying psychological and/or psychiatric condition; and

• Opportunities to put the claim into litigation, as necessary.

Techniques for Successful Claim Management

It is also important to work with interested stakeholders to seek solutions that will develop a healthier workforce to mitigate future claims. Examples of being proactive in this area include:

• Developing a smoking cessation and tobacco dependence program. It is well-documented that workers’ compensation claims involving a smoker/tobacco user cost significantly more when compared to their non-tobacco using counterparts.  While fewer Americans are using tobacco, a certain segment of the workforce continues to use these products;

• Encourage employers to offer gym memberships (free or reduced) and other weight loss programs. Other options include encouraging people to take regular breaks to stretch and move around.  This is also an opportunity for employers to seek out medical insurance programs that offer discounts for members who undergo biometric testing; and

• Increasing the level of education workers have regarding their eating habits. This includes the development of relationships with organizations and registered dieticians who provide information on better food selection, preparation and consumption.

Conclusions

Having an effective workers’ compensation program goes beyond knowing the law and working your claim files in an effective matter.  Proactive claim management teams need to address the underlying issues of a claim such as claimants with comorbid conditions to reduce costs in a program.  This includes addressing issues present on a file and promoting a healthier workplace to mitigate the risk of expensive future claims.

Author Michael Stack, CEO Amaxx LLC. He is an expert in workers compensation cost containment systems and helps employers reduce their work comp costs by 20% to 50%.  He works as a consultant to large and mid-market clients, is co-author of Your Ultimate Guide To Mastering Workers Comp Costs, a comprehensive step-by-step manual of cost containment strategies based on hands-on field experience, and is founder & lead trainer of Amaxx Workers’ Comp Training Center. .

Contact: mstack@reduceyourworkerscomp.com.

Workers’ Comp Roundup Blog: https://blog.reduceyourworkerscomp.com/

©2017 Amaxx LLC. All rights reserved under International Copyright Law.

Do not use this information without independent verification. All state laws vary. You should consult with your insurance broker, attorney, or qualified professional.

Numerous studies demonstrate the benefits of wellness programs and their positive impact of reducing workers’ compensation costs.  While they can reduce costs in a program of any size, it is important to be aware of some common pitfalls organizations face when implementing wellness programs.

A Common Hypothetical

The owner of the Acme Widget Company attends a workers’ compensation seminar and learns about the benefits of wellness programs in the workplace.  After returning, he installs a basketball hoop and buys a ball for employee’s to use while on their lunch break.  Postings about the basketball hoop were posted in common spaces and the owner strongly encouraged all employees play during their break times.

After the installation, the employees were excited.  A “one on one” league soon formed and the owner administered it.  Shortly thereafter, John Doe, the chief widget engineer, injured his knee why playing.  Is the injury compensable?

In Hemmler v. WCAB-Clarks Summit State Hospital, 569 A.2d 395 (Pa. Cmwlth. 1990), the following injury was found to be compensable.  Like anything, these cases are fact dependent.  Central to the court’s review were the following issues:

• Did the injury take place while the employee was engaged in the furtherance of the employer’s business or affairs?

• Was the injury caused by a condition of the employer’s premises that was a required part of the employee’s employment at the time of the injury?

Avoiding Work Comp Issues While Promoting Wellness

Promoting wellness within the workplace can create a double-edged sword for employers.  Liability will not be ignored in many instances even though the concept of healthy living and better health are a noble cause.  Proactive stakeholders can take the following steps to avoid liability from injuries suffered when employees engage in wellness-related programming.

In reviewing cases that involve injuries while engaging in workplace wellness programs, courts will generally examine whether the activity in question “furthers” the business or affairs of the employer.  Because wellness programs reduce workers’ compensation costs, courts have found the requisite connection between the work activities and an injury to uphold compensability and force the payment of various workers’ compensation benefits in certain instances.

• Avoid dictating specific wellness activities during the workday: Courts have consistently found that direct employer mandates in the form of exercise can make injuries compensable.  Making generic or benign statements about wellness and not prescribing its preferred form of exercise or activity and reduce exposure in workers’ compensation matters.

• Mandated performance of wellness activities. It is important to give employees the option to participate in wellness or other health program activities.  It is important to note that when managers and supervisors require or otherwise pressure employees to participate, resulting injuries are compensable under a workers’ compensation act.  Interested stakeholders seeking to minimize their exposure may consider using a third-party service provider to promote and provide information to employees about a wellness program.

• Avoid hosting wellness program activities during the workday or while someone is scheduled to work. Wellness events and engaging in healthy activities is something that should take place every day.  An interested stakeholder can minimize their exposure by encouraging employees to engage in wellness activities during their personal time and away from the employers premise.

Conclusions

Encouraging wellness within the workplace has many positive benefits.  This should not be overshadowed by the risks of employees sustaining injuries while engaging in these activities, and employers should be encouraged to implement wellness in the workplace.

However, the diligent risk manager should be aware of common pitfalls and implement a wellness program in a manner that avoids unnecessary risks and promotes a better bottom line.

Author Michael Stack, CEO Amaxx LLC. He is an expert in workers compensation cost containment systems and helps employers reduce their work comp costs by 20% to 50%.  He works as a consultant to large and mid-market clients, is co-author of Your Ultimate Guide To Mastering Workers Comp Costs, a comprehensive step-by-step manual of cost containment strategies based on hands-on field experience, and is founder & lead trainer of Amaxx Workers’ Comp Training Center. .

Contact: mstack@reduceyourworkerscomp.com.

Workers’ Comp Roundup Blog: https://blog.reduceyourworkerscomp.com/

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Do not use this information without independent verification. All state laws vary. You should consult with your insurance broker, attorney, or qualified professional.