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January / February 2009

On-Site Therapy:

What are the Benefits?

Why On-Site?

Having access to the real work environment and activities will not only expedite an employee’s recovery process, it enables the therapist to design an individualized treatment plan specifically based on the employee’s work environment and physical demands of the job. Job specific activities can be utilized as part of the employee’s individual treatment plan and transition back to work can be accomplished within their actual job site, using real work tasks. From Early Intervention Programs, to Physical/Occupational Therapy, to Work Conditioning, an employee can complete a smooth rehabilitation process with no delays in treatment while waiting to be scheduled for the next step of the process. From start to finish, CIS onsite is able to provide the therapy needed to transition an employee back to full duty tasks.

What about the cost?

Keeping an employee on-site and facilitating a faster recovery process means less impact on the company’s bottom line. When an employee is unable to perform their regular work tasks and is not in the work environment, additional money is spent on hiring a replacement or paying current employees overtime to cover the work load. Keeping an employee on-site for their rehabilitation process can reduce a company’s financial expenditure related to a Worker’s Compensation case. The employee, even if on light duty, can still be a productive member of the work force, reducing the need for and cost of additional workers. Employees who leave work to go to therapy at a clinic can be gone for a number of hours. Those are all hours that the employee is not being productive. There may also be the cost of paying for a cab ride to and from the clinic. On-Site Therapy services will remove the employee from the work environment only for the treatment time, and often can incorporate regular work tasks into part of the treatment time. When therapy services are provided on-site, there is a reduction in both direct and indirect costs to the company.

How do On-Site Therapy Services benefit the employee?

The ability to stay within their own work environment creates a sense of normalcy to their daily routines and it promotes confidence in their physical abilities through the familiarity of their regular work rather than simulating tasks in a clinic environment. Questions that may arise about how to perform specific work tasks with current physical limitations can be easily addressed and problem solved with a therapist available on-site, rather than trying to explain a work task to someone in a clinic. Finally, education on proper body mechanics, work techniques, and postures can be directly applied during performance of real work tasks while working one on one with the therapist.

How do On-Site Therapy Services benefit the employer?

It is well documented that keeping an employee in the work environment following a work related injury can significantly reduce the cost of the Worker’s Compensation claim. Providing Physical/Occupational Therapy and Work Conditioning services on-site can increase production time of the employee by eliminating the need for the employee to commute to and from an off-site clinic. Also, by using real work tasks as part of the therapy program, it can maximize the employee’s productivity while still completing the rehabilitation process. Finally, the job position evaluation performed as part of On-site Therapy Services can offer recommendations that can be applied to all employees to maximize productivity while minimizing injuries.

The On-Site therapy treatment plan is designed around the employee and his/her interaction with his/her working environment. By knowing first hand what the employee's work demands and risks are, the therapist can fine tune a treatment plan designed specifically to each individual for maximum rehabilitation while preventing further injuries in the future. All the while, saving the company both direct and indirect costs typically associated with a Worker’s Compensation injury.

Would you like more information on quality Onsite Therapy Services? Find out more information by contacting CISonsite at (866) 298-1312 or jpanozzo@cisonsite.com.

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What’s HOT in Ergonomics:

Protecting your Eyes Ergonomically

Modified from ADVANCE for Physical Therapists

Computer eye strain is a common problem computer users all over the world experience. A number of symptoms associated with computer eye strain have been documented and are now commonly grouped as a disorder and are called “computer vision syndrome” or CVS. The American Optometric Association defines CVS as a complex of eye and vision problems that are experienced during and related to computer use.

The common symptoms of ergonomic eye problems or computer eye strain are:

Reading and/or using a computer causes eyes to tear, itch, become dry and red or hurt.
Squinting, eye rubbing or excessive blinking.
Blurred vision.
Lights sensitivity after reading.
Double vision.
Headaches, dizziness, nausea or fatigue after reading.
Head tilting, closing or blocking one eye when reading.
Skips lines or loses place when reading.
Difficulty tracking moving objects.
Misaligning letters or numbers.
Unusual posture or moving head closely to see book or paper.
While reading, you feel that words, letters or lines run together or jump around.
Difficulty concentrating or comprehending reading material.
Poorly spaced written words.
Poor eye-hand coordination.

Methods to Avoid Ergonomic Eye Problems and Computer Eye Strain:

Periodically focus on objects at varying distances, such as looking away at a wall clock 50 feet away.
Blink the eyes regularly and use eye drops for moisture.
Try to keep the air around you moist. For instance, use plants, open pans of water or a humidifier.
Use a monitor arm if you use a desktop computer to adjust the screen height/seating so that while you are comfortably seated, your eyes are in line with the top of the monitor screen. If you use a laptop computer, use a laptop holder to properly position your screen.
Adjust the brightness control on your monitor for comfort. Focusing on the monitor for a long time with full brightness can cause eye strain.
Adjust the contrast on your monitor to make the characters distinct from the background.
Do not position monitors directly in front of windows.
Ensure proper lighting by using task-lighting fixture. Avoid strong overhead light sources.
Use a document holder to keep the screen and documents at the same distance from your eyes.
Do regular eye testing at least once every two years and more frequently if necessary, especially if you are experiencing problems or eye strain related to using display equipment. Specify the distance from your eyes to the monitor to your optician and get information regarding special lenses or the use of bifocals.

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Think Safe!

10 ways to lower your blood pressure

Adopted from Mayo Clinic Health Solutions

Do you have high blood pressure? Do you take medication for high blood pressure? Medication is only part of the solution for controlling high blood pressure. Your lifestyle matters enormously too. In fact, if you successfully control your blood pressure with a healthy lifestyle, you may prevent, delay or reduce the need for medication.

Try these 10 self-care strategies to help lower your blood pressure and keep it down.

Lose those extra pounds and watch your waistline. When it comes to waistline measurements, men are considered at risk with a waistline of more than 40 inches, and women are considered at risk with a waistline of more than 35 inches. For the best blood pressure control and overall health, keep your waist measurement well below these measurements.
Take part in 30 to 60 minutes of physical activity most days of the week.
Eat more fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low-fat dairy products. Eat fewer foods with saturated fat and cholesterol.
Limit the sodium in your diet to less than 1500 milligrams (mg) a day.
If you drink alcohol, limit your consumption to no more than two drinks a day for men, one for women.
Avoid tobacco products and secondhand smoke.
Limit caffeine to about 200 mg a day – the amount in about two cups of coffee.
Find ways to reduce the stress in your life, such as yoga, meditation or deep breathing.
Learn how to monitor your blood pressure at home.
Visit your primary care doctor regularly. People who don’t have a primary care doctor find it harder to control their blood pressure.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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