First Minutes Matter in a Work Injury Case
The first minute in a work injury case is the most important. This is not only the first minute of injury for the employee, but also the first minute of intervention for everyone with whom he/she comes in contact with.
THE FIRST MINUTE FOR THE WORKER
When an employee is injured on the job, or finally reports a cumulative injury, there is an acknowledgement that all is not well with the body. Reporting an injury and going through the process of being “documented” is not easy. There is paper work to fill out, the embarrassment of revealing that you have an injury and the potential of running into negative attitudes in your work place. The first minute for the employee is one of decision. The injured worker has decided to report an injury that happened on the job.
THE FIRST MINUTE FOR THE SUPERVISOR
The supervisor will receive the first report of injury from the injured worker. Most likely the systems that surround the reporting procedures have been set in place and have been communicated through training sessions to the workers.
To ensure positive management of the case, the supervisor will not only initiate the initial report but will support the injured worker through the entire process. The supervisor shows a strong bond and favorable outcome when escorting the injured worker and waiting for the results from the medical provider. This reinforces to the medical provider the support that is available for the injured worker to return to work at full duty safely. The supervisor also helps with follow-up in further care or to implement a return to work program as the medical provider outlines.
THE FIRST MINUTE FOR THE MEDICAL PROVIDER
In acknowledging the injury and beginning to diagnose, evaluate or treat, the worker’s attitude is immediately formed regarding outcome. The medical provider will be focusing on function rather than pain. Pain and function are not the same. We may be able to tolerate discomfort and yet be completely functional. If the verbal message from the medical provider is on function and healing rather than pain, the entire rehabilitation process will take on a positive outcome.
In preparing the injured worker for further diagnosis and treatment, the medical provider will incorporate into the plan of care the goal of safely returning to work as soon as possible. The medical provider will outline the ways to relieve the discomfort of pain and will help increase the function of the injured worker to the point that they are able to return to work safely. The plan of care may include an immediate return to the jobsite with the injured worker under temporary restrictions or a modified duty program. It will also mean that the injured worker will undergo a restorative type of treatment which will temporarily take him off work, but whose ultimate goal is to return to work as soon as possible.
The modified duty program is a structured, layered early return to work program that is designed to safely return the injured worker to a safe working environment. In this program the injured worker’s goal is to progress until full duty without restrictions is achieved.
THE SECOND, THIRD AND FOURTH MINUTE
The first minute is critical in a work injury case, for the worker and for everyone that intervenes. The direction of treatment is established in the first minute. The next few minutes can be equally as important as an early intervention to the work injury case.
Early intervention is effective if the following concepts are weaved through the process.
- Follow-up on medical care will focus on functional improvement. The injured worker will learn to handle discomfort with appropriate measures.
- Function is the focus rather than discomfort.
- Resting the injured part will be encouraged until graduated activity can resume.
- Exercise, both musculoskeletal and aerobic will be a part of the treatment as a method to improve function.
- Palliative treatments such as relaxant medication, heat, message or manipulation should be given at the beginning in order to increase function.
- They should be for functional restoration only and cease as the rehabilitation process continues.
- The injured worker will be given a home program that is designed to reinforce the progress of safe function.
- As soon as the injured worker can be released to work, the medical provider will write a discharge summary reflecting the return to work.
- The discharge summary will reflect education on the injury and how to prevent it in the future.
The injured worker, employer and the medical provider can benefit from the first minute of early intervention. The next few minutes are also critical in leading toward a safe and early return to work focusing on function.
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If your employees become injured, sending them to a hospital system is not only costly, but the speed of recovery could be lengthy due to wait times and scheduling issues.
At Orthopedic & Spine Therapy, in our WorkPlace Solutions division, we work with employers to care for their employees either in our clinics or onsite.
This translates to better care for your team, lower instances of injury on the job site, faster recovery time, and better employee retention and morale.
Learn More About Our WorkPlace Solutions Here:
By: Suzanne Laurent, Project Coordinator
slaurent@ostpt.com
Resources:
Swan, Norma, “Employer Point of View, “WORK INJURY” MANAGEMENT and PREVENTION, Aspen, Rockville, MD, 1988, pp 317-330
WorkPlace Solutions of Orthopedic & Spine Therapy are licensed and certified to perform DSI Work Station services and products. Permission granted from Susan Isernhagen PT, Duluth MN.