TY - JOUR
T1 - A comprehensive initiative to manage the incidence and cost of occupational injury and illness
T2 - Report of an outcomes analysis
AU - McGrail, Michael P.
AU - Tsai, Shan P.
AU - Bernacki, Edward J.
PY - 1995/11
Y1 - 1995/11
N2 - A comprehensive initiative utilizing an in-house preferred provider organization, medical case management, and application of ergonomic techniques was implemented in an effort to control the incidence and cost of workplace injuries. The program was evaluated utilizing OSHA 200 Logs to compare the incidence and lost time due to compensable injury and illnesses before and after beginning the program. After the introduction, there was a significant decrease in injuries and illnesses (53/1000 vs 27/1000, P<.01) and average days lost per event (10.4 vs 6.6 days, P<.01). A significant increase in restricted-duty days (.2 vs 1.5 days, P <.01) and an 18% reduction in medical and indemnity costs of the institution’s workers’ compensation expenditures were observed. This study demonstrates the initial effectiveness of an aggressive ergonomic and managed care approach to reducing the incidence, severity, and cost of occupationally related injury and illness. It also highlights the effectiveness of an outcomes analysis approach, using lost time as an endpoint, to measure the effectiveness of preventive and management strategies in the workers’ compensation setting.
AB - A comprehensive initiative utilizing an in-house preferred provider organization, medical case management, and application of ergonomic techniques was implemented in an effort to control the incidence and cost of workplace injuries. The program was evaluated utilizing OSHA 200 Logs to compare the incidence and lost time due to compensable injury and illnesses before and after beginning the program. After the introduction, there was a significant decrease in injuries and illnesses (53/1000 vs 27/1000, P<.01) and average days lost per event (10.4 vs 6.6 days, P<.01). A significant increase in restricted-duty days (.2 vs 1.5 days, P <.01) and an 18% reduction in medical and indemnity costs of the institution’s workers’ compensation expenditures were observed. This study demonstrates the initial effectiveness of an aggressive ergonomic and managed care approach to reducing the incidence, severity, and cost of occupationally related injury and illness. It also highlights the effectiveness of an outcomes analysis approach, using lost time as an endpoint, to measure the effectiveness of preventive and management strategies in the workers’ compensation setting.
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U2 - 10.1097/00043764-199511000-00004
DO - 10.1097/00043764-199511000-00004
M3 - Article
C2 - 8595495
AN - SCOPUS:0028784324
SN - 1076-2752
VL - 37
SP - 1263
EP - 1268
JO - Journal of occupational and environmental medicine
JF - Journal of occupational and environmental medicine
IS - 11
ER -