Occupational Health

Occupational Medicine Recognized Specialty Since 1949 Combines Clinical Skills With Toxicology, Epidemiology, Safety, Rehabilitation, and Business Operations “Tightrope Walker” Responsible to Patients as well as Business.

Occupational Health Services Evaluation and Treatment for Medical Conditions Emergency Medical Response Medical Surveillance Disease Management Fitness and Wellness Employee WorkLife Management Disability Management and Accommodation Employee Assistance and Advocacy Absence Management Workers’ Compensation Training Records Management Information Privacy

Why a Special Practice Model? Central Themes are Employee Health, Risk Management, and Regulatory Compliance Occupational Diseases are Hard to Distinguish From Ones Unrelated to the Workplace There Are Definite Individual, Group, and Business Benefits of Prevention, Intervention, and Rehabilitation Programs In Fact, The Economic Implications of Maintaining a Healthy Workforce are Large Source: USA Today

Occupational Health Program Structure Basics Business Priorities and Regulatory Mandates Play a Big Role in Program Design and Implementation. Have to Know the Work Processes and How They Impact Employees, Their Contacts, and The Environment. The Goal is to Enable Employees to Safely Work and Successfully Perform Tasks Without Interference from Health Based Issues. For Employees Who are Absent, OH Professionals Work to Facilitate Effective and Efficient Interventions With a Goal of Return to Work.

How Do We Know What to Address? Some Activities are Prescribed by Regulation. In other cases: Remain Vigilant For Activity or Incident Trends, Changes in People or Work activities. Evaluations Should Occur Early –Also Involves Management, Safety, Human Resources, Industrial Hygiene, and Engineering. –Decisions Must Balance Individual Rights and Needs With Rights and Needs of the Employer. Each Situation Presents an Opportunity.

Employee Evaluation Content Entrance (Baseline) Examinations –Can They do the Job? –Do They Have Medical Conditions? –Do They Need Accommodation? Periodic Screening Due to Known Exposures. Fitness for Duty (Specific Cause). Mandated Examinations. Evaluations for Accommodation or for Disputed Documentation. Special Evaluations.

Emergency Medical Response EMS Agency Status is Desirable –Strict Certification Requirements –Specified Equipment and Treatment Protocols –Required Continuing Education –Physician Oversight of Operations –Review and Follow-up of Each Response Volunteers from Employee Population Tangible (medical) Benefits are Surpassed by the Many Intangible (Camaraderie, Continuous Improvement, Loyalty) Benefits

What About Absences? Employees Must Have A Desire to Return Work Within Company Policies, Regulatory Requirements, and Privacy Programs Treatment Must Be Successful -- Optimum Intervention for Individual Use Competent and Objective Personnel For Evaluation and Management Closely Manage Return to Work and Afterward Track Outcomes and Prevention Efforts Both During Intervention and After Full Return To Work (Disease Management) – Enables Repeat of Success.

Disability Management Principles Treat Each Employee As You Would Like To Be Treated If You Were In Their Position Healthcare Is A Consumer Commodity But Only Insurers Treat it as One Educated Employees Make Good Consumers Although Some Managed Care Pressures May Impede Efficient Care, They Can Be Overcome Work Is Good For You – Remember that Your Employer is Paying While You are Absent The Earlier You Return to Normal Activities, The Better Your Overall Prognosis (Physical and Behavioral)

Can We Really Assist Employees? An Important OH Service is Provision of Employee Assistance and WorkLife Enhancement Programs A Broad Array of Services Should be Provided to Employees and Members of Their Households Utilization Rates Should be Tracked Against the National Average for Similar Industries It is Not Enough to Offer Services. Due to Human Inertia, Assistance Programs Must be Marketed Assistance Also Includes Advocacy With Non-Work Related Health Issues

Advocacy Services Clinical Health Matters Administrative and Benefit Issues Information and Access to Healthcare Resources Help Locate Doctors, Hospitals, DME, Other Services Interface With Member’s Health Plan Health Coaching; Health Information Data Base; Locate Centers of Excellence & Treatment Sites Resolve Claims Questions Arrange 2nd Opinions Help Arrange Appointments With Specialists Explain Benefits and Coverage Policies Assist With Senior Care Issues Coordinate Medical Services, Transfer Medical Records Resolve Billing Errors Identify Community Resources