Ergonomics Flashcards
What are the benefits provided to workers for return-to work services?
- Workers who cannot return to their jobs due to an injury may qualify for additional training, retraining, or self employment programs.
- The goal is to return injured workers to substantial gainful employment, as soon as possible after an injury occurs
What are the death benefits provided to workers?
- Surviving spouse/dependents receive 2/3 of the deceased worker’s gross wage, up to a maximum of 110% SAWW. Total benefit must not exceed $197,000.
- Funeral Expenses are payable up to $6,500.
- Guardian Scholarships are awarded in the amount of $3,000 for a max of five years to cover tuition costs.
when were workers comp laws established in ND?
1919
Before workers compl laws, what were the potential outcomes of a work injury?
- Assumption Of Risk: workers assumed and accepted risk
- Fellow-Servant Rule: employer not responsible if one employee was negligent causing another’s injury
- Contributory Negligence: employee was negligent no matter how slight they were and how great the employer was
Established in 1994 to combat employer, provider, and injured worker fraud; Investigators act on anonymous tips, WSI staff referrals, and VeriComp Software reports;To date, SIU has saved the fund an estimated $15.5 million; Fraud: Employee, Employer, Provider
Special investigations unit (SIU)
Benefits are provided to workers for accidental injury; Benefits include wage loss, medical and death benefits; A covered employee is defined by law; Fault is immaterial; Employees give up the right to sue the employer for damage; Employee retain the right to sue negligent third parties; Employers are required to be insured
ND Workers Compensation Act 1919
what are the new therapy opportunities due to the ergonomic initiative grant?
- Set up Programs
- Perform Ergonomic Assessments
- Help with Safety Programs
- Help with Job Descriptions
- Less BAD PATIENTS
When is the ideal timeline to begin treating an injured worker?
within 24 hours
- at the convenience of worker and employer
More vigorous ther ex; Neuromusculoskeletal status is in end phase of physiologic healing
reconditioning phase
Involvement of injured worker in more functional activities; Graduated ther ex; Improve objective measures; Functional training to increase ability to perform task related to community and work reintegration
post-acute phase
Immediate post-trauma; Focus on control and reduction of localized inflammatory response, joint and soft tissue swelling or restriction, and stabilization and containment of the injury
acute phase
Progressed through all other phases but not yet ready to return to work because of identifiable physical, functional, behavioral or vocational deficits; FCE may be used to define limitations; May enter work hardening or simply back to full duty
return to work phase
- make sure accommodations fit restrictions
- review accommodations with the employer and employee
- progress restrictions as patient improves
- make sure you document functional limitations as they correspond to work requirements
- If disabled from work from 6 months, only 50% chance of ever returning
- If off one year the odds are only 25%
What are the principles to treat the acutely injured worker?
- Management of lost time and minimizing disability
- Neuromusculoskeletal injury management
- Facilitations of timely and appropriate referrals
- Minimizing injury/reinjury incident rate (ergonomic recommendations, education, etc.)
What is the number one reason why people don’t want to return to work?
fear of reinjury
- Educate injured worker on what to do in case of an exacerbation: Ice, Ibuprofen, Rest, Exercise (Stretch First, Strengthen Second)
A highly structured, goal oriented, individualized treatment program designed to return the person to their work; an interdisciplinary program that uses real or simulated work activities designed to restore physical, behavioral and vocational functions
work hardening
- going back to a specific job
- simulating their work in therapy, in clinic 4-6 hours a day
A work related, intensive, goal oriented program specifically designed to restore an individual’s systemic, NM, and cardiopulmonary functions to get them as good as they can get
work conditioning
- going back to any old job
What are the observations of the client you should make while doing work hardening and conditioning?
- level of participation of pt
- consistency and level of effort
- behaviors that interfere with physical performance
- body mechanics
- safety
When would you terminate a work hardening patient?
- Goals and expected outcomes have been met
- Client has or develops problems to program can’t address
- Medical contraindications
- Client fails to comply with requirements of participation
- Reached a plateau
- Services discontinued by referring source (special investigator caught them doing something they said they’re unable)
What information would you include with a work hardening or conditioning summer at d/c?
- Notify employer, doctor, insurance carrier
- Provide following information:
1. Reasons for termination
2. Clinical and functional status
3. Recommendations regarding return to work
4. Recommendations for follow-up services
When would you terminate a work conditioning patient?
- Goals and expected outcomes have been met
- Client develops behavioral or vocational problems which are not being addressed and interfere with program
- Medical contraindications
- Client fails to comply with requirements of participation
- Reached a plateau
- Services discontinued by referring source
What are the aspects of educating a patient on lifting mechanics?
- how to lift correctly
- Don’t presume they know how
- May have to start with no weight
- Disc Pressures
Term used to describe a specific clinical behavior in which the client’s pain and disability are out of proportion to the medical impairment and/or movement patterns
symptom exageration
- Blankenship – “Client is exhibiting a non organic component to the medical impairment or disability
- never say malingering in note