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More than 3 million recordable injuries occurred in the U.S. in 2010 (BLS); that is a scary number. Just one injury can be scary for an employer. Injuries bring concerns for safety and well being of your employee, filling their role at work and the financial impact a missing worker and work comp/ disability claim may bring. Getting an injured worker back on the job is crucial for many reasons. Most injuries, about 90 percent, require traditional rehab and are an expected return to work. But for some workers, the injury will require a more specific type of therapy.
Sheila Denman, senior vice president of ATI Worksite Solutions, further clarifies work conditioning begins when an injured worker is released from physical therapy. Therapy may have citied a worker’s strength and range of motion as rehabilitated, but that doesn’t mean they can perform repetitive motions and have the endurance needed to complete their job safely. Work conditioning would allow workers to practice their job in a variety of work stations and practice work related positions and motions. The worker completes these activities alongside a therapist, which allows for simultaneous training and education. The therapist can recognize “risky” behaviors and correct with safer techniques. Education promotes injury prevention by managing body mechanics and work pacing, essential to preventing future re-injuries. Physical Therapy Journal cites a study with convincing evidence that work conditioning programs are successful, with a 52 percent increase in the rate of return to work in the treatment group.
There was a push several years ago for employers to independently use transitional or light duty for injured workers once they returned to work.
“Often times an injured worker would return to work and sit and open mail. This is not going to get the person stronger. They need a progressive, growing and dynamic program,” states Denman. “A work conditioning program will provide just that.” Denman cautions employers, unless there is a well managed and progressive program in place.
Getting injured workers back to work has real financial benefits for employers. A study cited in Physical Therapy Journal conducted a cost analysis of a work conditioning program for patients with acute injuries. They reported that the work conditioning program resulted in an increase in medical costs of approximately $400 per person. This cost was offset, however, by a saving in workers' compensation expenses of approximately $2,000 per person, a saving of $1,600. Denman explains there is also a decreased risk of re-injury for workers who have completed work conditioning, adding an additional financial benefit.
In most cases, injured workers will return to work within the first six months with traditional rehab. Fit2Wrk research suggests that 90 percent of individuals who return to work will not require work conditioning. But for 10 percent of injured workers, they require a more comprehensive program. The ultimate goal is returning the worker to the productive workforce with timely rehabilitation. Work conditioning and hardening are productive tools in accomplishing that goal, providing workers with the strength, ability and confidence to get back to work.
Last Month's Articles
Feb 2012 Home Health Care.pdf
Work Conditioning and Hardening
More than 3 million recordable injuries occurred in the U.S. in 2010 (BLS); that is a scary number. Just one injury can be scary for an employer. Injuries bring concerns for safety and well being of your employee, filling their role at work and the financial impact a missing worker and work comp/ disability claim may bring. Getting an injured worker back on the job is crucial for many reasons. Most injuries, about 90 percent, require traditional rehab and are an expected return to work. But for some workers, the injury will require a more specific type of therapy.
The goal of work conditioning and hardening programs is simple; getting the injured worker back on the job and restoring level of functioning. Conditioning and hardening go hand in hand to accomplish this task. Dave Hudak, physical therapist for Motion Hand and Physical Therapy states the terms are very similar and in fact, there is a lot of overlap. Work conditioning is part of a rehabilitation program used to improve function and quality of life with a goal of returning to work. Work hardening takes this one step further by recreating specific job tasks for the worker to practice alongside a physical therapist. These real or simulated work activities often operate up to five hours a day, five days a week; providing a transition between ordinary exercises and the actual functions required of a job.
Sheila Denman, senior vice president of ATI Worksite Solutions, further clarifies work conditioning begins when an injured worker is released from physical therapy. Therapy may have citied a worker’s strength and range of motion as rehabilitated, but that doesn’t mean they can perform repetitive motions and have the endurance needed to complete their job safely. Work conditioning would allow workers to practice their job in a variety of work stations and practice work related positions and motions. The worker completes these activities alongside a therapist, which allows for simultaneous training and education. The therapist can recognize “risky” behaviors and correct with safer techniques. Education promotes injury prevention by managing body mechanics and work pacing, essential to preventing future re-injuries. Physical Therapy Journal cites a study with convincing evidence that work conditioning programs are successful, with a 52 percent increase in the rate of return to work in the treatment group.
Earlier Intervention
Traditionally, work conditioning has not been initiated until the patient was felt to have reached maximum medical improvement. The APTA guidelines states services should occur "at the point of resolution” of the injury." There is an increasing trend toward early intervention with industrial injuries, because time off work is inversely correlated to the rate of return to work, as found in a Physical Therapy Journal study. The longer an individual is off work, the less likely that individual is to return to work. Denman would agree. She explains the ideal scenario involves working with the employer and setting up a transitional position. The worker would complete both a work conditioning therapy program and also work in a modified position for their employer. As the worker increases strength and endurance, they would gradually increase the amount of time on the job. Hudak agrees, stressing the earlier an injured worker can return to their job in some capacity, the better the outcomes are for everyone involved.There was a push several years ago for employers to independently use transitional or light duty for injured workers once they returned to work.
“Often times an injured worker would return to work and sit and open mail. This is not going to get the person stronger. They need a progressive, growing and dynamic program,” states Denman. “A work conditioning program will provide just that.” Denman cautions employers, unless there is a well managed and progressive program in place.
Getting injured workers back to work has real financial benefits for employers. A study cited in Physical Therapy Journal conducted a cost analysis of a work conditioning program for patients with acute injuries. They reported that the work conditioning program resulted in an increase in medical costs of approximately $400 per person. This cost was offset, however, by a saving in workers' compensation expenses of approximately $2,000 per person, a saving of $1,600. Denman explains there is also a decreased risk of re-injury for workers who have completed work conditioning, adding an additional financial benefit.
In most cases, injured workers will return to work within the first six months with traditional rehab. Fit2Wrk research suggests that 90 percent of individuals who return to work will not require work conditioning. But for 10 percent of injured workers, they require a more comprehensive program. The ultimate goal is returning the worker to the productive workforce with timely rehabilitation. Work conditioning and hardening are productive tools in accomplishing that goal, providing workers with the strength, ability and confidence to get back to work.
Last Month's Articles
Feb 2012 Home Health Care.pdf
Feb 2012: Burns-Recovery, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction.pdf
Jan 2012: Fake Work Comp Claims Cost Employers Billions.pdf
Jan 2012: Keeping Aging workers Safe Keeping Costs Down.pdf
Jan 2012: We've Come a Long Way Baby.pdf
