TL;DR
- Medical case management is essential for the prompt handling of workplace injuries in heavy industries, and it benefits both businesses and employees.
- Perks of medical case management for workers: timely treatment, morale boost, swift recovery, etc.
- Medical case management also benefits employers, offering better business continuity, lower costs, and improved regulatory compliance, among other benefits.
- The medical case management process involves injury assessment, determination of severity and urgency, treatment, tracking, and back-to-work facilitation.
- Best practices include 24/7 availability, attention to detail, empathy, thorough documentation, adherence to ethics, respect for privacy, and regulatory compliance.
A Smarter Approach to Workplace Injuries
In heavy industries, even with rigorous safety protocols, workplace injuries and occupational disorders remain an unfortunate reality. In fact, just a few years ago, U.S. private industry reported more than 2 million such cases. The good news is that medical case management provides a compelling solution to address these challenges head-on.
By connecting injured employees with seasoned occupational physicians (often through remote access), businesses can ensure timely medical attention that speeds up recovery and reduces downtime. But that’s only part of the story.
Let’s take a closer look at what medical case managers do, and how both employers and employees can benefit from their expertise.
Importance of Medical Case Management at the Workplace
Experienced and licensed Medicaid case managers can not only help injured employees, but also you, the employer. Here’s how:
For Workers
- Prompt injury assessment and appropriate treatment
- Prevention of injury aggravation
- Moral support
- Handling of queries and concerns
- Smooth and swift recovery
- Resumption of duties at the earliest
- Reduced possibility of income loss
For Employers
- Better safety culture
- Fewer business interruptions
- Fewer hospital/emergency room (ER) visits
- Reduced healthcare and workers’ compensation costs
- Fewer legal liabilities
- Improved compliance with regulatory entities like Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and fewer penalties
- Increased employee satisfaction, engagement, and productivity
- Enhanced brand reputation among stakeholders
Workplace Medical Case Management: What Does It Involve?
Occupational health management post a workplace injury usually involves the following:
- Assessment: Licensed MDs assess the injury (often remotely via video or telephonic calls) and ask questions related to the cause and symptoms. They might inquire into the injured worker’s medical history, job role, any current medications, and such.
- Urgency and Severity Determination: Medical case managers then decide if the injury can be treated onsite with first aid or if the patient needs to head to the ER. They zero in on the seriousness of the cut, wound, burn, sprain, etc., and the urgency of the care.
- Treatment: In most cases, they provide tailored onsite treatment plans and prescribe medication as necessary. Otherwise, they share observations and recommendations with the hospital or clinic that the patient visits. This way, the care continuity is preserved.
- Monitoring: Doctors offering workplace injury recovery services closely monitor the patient’s progress and modify the treatment as needed. They also help the affected employee deal with anxiety and stress during the recovery process.
- Work Resumption Facilitation: Occupational physicians drive the success of your return to work programs. They ensure the worker returns to their usual routine quickly and resumes their old duties with minimal efficiency loss. They also make recommendations regarding work hours and types of responsibilities, thereby minimizing the risk of repeat injuries.
Also Read: OSHA Recordable vs Reportable: Key Differences Explained for Safety Compliance
What Sets Occupational Physicians Apart: Best Practices for Effectiveness
Medical case managers employ these best practices to facilitate workplace injury recovery in a smooth, seamless, and swift manner:
- They are available round the clock and respond to emergencies promptly so that unnecessary delays don’t aggravate minor injuries.
- Occupational doctors have an eye for detail and understand the nitty-gritties of an incident by interacting with injured workers, supervisors, and other relevant individuals.
- Such healthcare providers also practice empathy and understanding when tending to injured workers. This helps alleviate the patients’ worries and prevents them from filing unnecessary lawsuits or compensation claims.
- They document and report every single nugget of information in a proper way, and one that is easy to comprehend for all stakeholders. There is no gap, whether it comes to injury assessment or treatment plans.
- Occupational physicians are extremely careful when maintaining the privacy of patient and client information.
- They make ethical decisions even in the case of complex situations, so that your or the employee’s interests aren’t compromised.
- Medical case managers fully understand the dos and don’ts outlined by various regulatory bodies. And they make sure that all injury cases are handled in compliance with the same.
Also Read: Understanding OSHA Guidelines: Which Musculoskeletal Treatments Are Recordable?
Conclusion
Ultimately, medical case management is integral to fast and efficient workplace injury recovery. It can enhance overall safety, reduce absenteeism, maintain productivity, and promote operational continuity, ultimately leading to positive business outcomes.
For that, though, it is advisable to partner with occupational health service providers who are well-versed in the OSHA compliance guide. This is the key to keeping recordables low, lowering healthcare and compensation costs, and protecting your business’s reputation.
Manage Medical Cases at the Workplace Effectively with WorkPartners USA
At WorkPartners USA, we know why it’s essential to handle workplace incidents on time. It not only leads to fast recovery and better wellness for the worker, but also minimizes your cost, legal hassles, and operational interruptions.
Hence, our experienced and knowledgeable MDs adhere to the best practices while managing a range of cases remotely. They try to minimize unnecessary ER trips, so you don’t rack up OSHA recordable incidents frequently.
For more information and guidance, get in touch today. Call us at (800) 359-5020 (for injury intervention) or (651) 323-8654. You can also write to info@workpartnersusa.com for other consultations.
Our address: 20 Summit Ave, St Paul, MN 55102
FAQs
Q1. What does a medical case manager do after a workplace injury?
Ans. They assess the injury promptly and determine its severity, as well as the need for urgent care. Then, they suggest a personalized treatment plan and closely track the patient’s recovery until the latter resumes work.
Q2. How can medical case management help someone recover faster from a work injury?
Ans. Since medical case managers offer treatment without delays, minor injuries don’t aggravate. They heal faster with the right first aid solutions and medications.
Q3. Can medical case management reduce time away from work?
Ans. Yes, by accelerating the recovery of an injured worker, medical case management can reduce the need for availing extended or frequent leaves.
Q4. Can medical case management reduce workers’ compensation claims?
Ans. Medical case managers enable workers to recover quickly, resulting in reduced absenteeism and fewer repeated hospital visits. Hence, the compensation claim against lost income or skills is reduced.
Q5. How does medical case management benefit employers?
Ans. With medical case management, employers can ensure better OSHA compliance, avoid legal hassles, lower costs, boost employee productivity, and promote a robust safety culture.
