CLICK to view past issues and articles in the NEWSLETTER ARCHIVE . . .

July/August 2005

Any doctor will tell you that the earlier a problem is detected, the easier it is to treat and the more successful the outcome. A condition that may cost a few hundred dollars to treat in its initial stages could end up costing tens-of-thousands (even hundreds of thousands) of dollars in later, more advanced stages and the outcome can be worse.

So, how can Early Intervention work in your workplace? First, you need to encourage your employees to report work-pain problems early, before they become OSHA recordables. This means there needs to be a non-hostile environment, where employees feel comfortable reporting a problem without fear of harassment or reprimand. If an employee feels they will be harassed in some way for reporting the problem, they will wait until the condition worsens. They may also get a lawyer before they get a doctor. This will significantly increase the cost of this problem.

The next thing your organization needs is to have a medical professional available to address the worker's complaint. This can be as simple as having a physical therapist on-call. When a non-urgent injury or pain problem is reported, the therapist comes onsite in a timely manner to assess the worker. The therapist instructs the employee in self-help techniques (exercise, ice, massage, etc.) to control pain and promote healing. The therapist also observes the worker performing his/her job and identifies alternate or improved work techniques that minimize stress on the painful area. The therapist strictly complies with OSHA's definition of "First Aid" so the employee's condition is NOT a recordable.

At CISonsite we have had tremendous success with the Early Intervention Programs we have implemented at our client organizations. In fact, over 80% of the employees seen in Early Intervention never need to go to the doctor for their condition. This represents a significant savings for our client companies. It is a program that works and pays for itself very quickly.

For those employees with work injuries that do require traditional physical or occupational therapy, Onsite Therapy Services are a cost-effective alternative to clinic-based therapy services.

With Onsite Therapy Services, a therapist treats injured employees at the workplace. This allows for less employee downtime and tighter control over employee cases. Onsite therapists can do virtually anything a clinic therapist can, but with one distinct advantage - they work with employees at the job site. Employees are instructed in safer, less aggravating work techniques and therapists assist employees in developing better work habits. Onsite therapy can help to get your injured workers back to work more quickly and with a decreased likelihood of reinjury.

Onsite Therapy Services are billed through your Workers' Compensation insurance and cost no more than traditional therapy services.

If you are interested in learning more about CISonsite Early Intervention or Onsite Therapy Services, please call us at (866)298-1312 or visit us on the web at www.CISonsite.com. Also, stay tuned to our next newsletter for Part II of this article.

It's Allergy Season!

Seasonal allergies affect more than 20 % of the US population. 3.4 million workdays are lost in the US every year because of allergies. Common symptoms of seasonal allergies are watering eyes, itching, stuffy nose and wheezing which are often caused by contact with allergens. Common allergens include pollen, mold, pet dander & dust.

According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAI) the following tips can significantly reduce your exposure to seasonal allergy symptoms.

Keep windows closed at night to prevent pollens or molds from drifting into your home. Instead, if needed, use air conditioning, which cleans, cools and dries the air.
Minimize early morning activity when the greatest pollen is emitted - after the dew dries after sunrise to late morning.
Keep your car windows closed when traveling.
Try to stay indoors when the pollen count or humidity is reported to be high, and on windy days when dust and pollen are blown about.
Take a vacation during the height of the pollen season to a more pollen-free area, such as the beach or sea.
Take medications prescribed by your allergist/immunologist regularly, in the recommended dosage.
Do not take more medication than recommended in an attempt to lessen your symptoms.
Don't mow lawns or be around freshly cut grass; mowing stirs up pollens and molds.
Don't rake leaves, as this also stirs up molds.
Don't hang sheets or clothing out to dry. Pollens and molds may collect in them.
Don't grow too many, or over-water, indoor plants if you are allergic to mold. Wet soil encourages mold growth.

For more information concerning allergies, visit http://www.aaaai.org

Think Safe! - Buckle Up Already!

If you were to fall three stories to the pavement below, what do you think your chances of survival are? Not great. Now think about this - you'd experience the same impact if you ran into something when traveling 30mph in your car without wearing your seat belt.

Whether you drive to work, for work, or just for fun - buckle up! Wearing a seat belt is the single most effective thing you can do to save lives and reduce injuries on America's roadways. In fact, 50% of car accident deaths and thousands of injuries could be prevented if everyone wore a seatbelt.

Still, many people have reasons for not wearing one. Let's address (and shoot down) those:

"I'm just making a quick trip to the store": 80% of all traffic fatalities occur within 25 miles of home and under 40mph.

"I'm a good driver": Great, but you can still be hit by a bad driver.

"I'm afraid the belt will trap me in the car": Statistically, the best place to be during an accident is IN your car. If you get thrown out, you're 25 times more likely to die. In the very rare instance where you need to get out of the car quickly, you'll have a much better chance of doing so if you haven't been knocked unconscious inside your car.

"They're uncomfortable": Most modern seat belts give when you move and only lock in place when the car stops suddenly. If the belt won't fit around you, you can purchase a belt extender.

"I have an airbag": Great - airbags increase the effectiveness of the seatbelt by 40%, but they were never meant to take place of safety belts.

So, buckle up and encourage others to do so as well!

Our programs assist employers in reducing their OSHA recordables and Worker’s Compensation claims, cost and injuries. We offer a variety of customized programs to fit each employer’s unique needs.

Learn More»

Our mobile therapists come directly to your facility, by treating the worker onsite. the therapist can directly observe the physical demands of the worker’s job and design a treatment program that specifically addresses these demands.

Learn More»

Our case managers work with employers and insurance companies to proactively manage the care of an injured worker through the entire case management process from injury to return to gainful employment.

Learn More»