A tailored, interdisciplinary, multicomponent approach to decreasing workers’ compensation claims and costs in a hospital system: A retrospective study

Goal

Healthcare is the leading profession for risk of injury with workers face a number of potential risk factors leading to musculoskeletal disorders. One method to promote safety for healthcare workers is with body mechanics training and ergonomics. Evidence suggests multicomponent interventions are required for successful safe patient handling programs. While numerous studies have considered interventions for nurses and nursing programs, few have targeted both patient handling and non-patient handling employees simultaneously in a healthcare setting. Our main objective is to describe the implementation of a tailored multicomponent program (TMP) to address the needs of each department within a healthcare setting and examine the percentage of subsequent claims and overall costs reported.

Methods

The TMP was designed to combine department specific and employee specific evaluations and interventions to address workplace needs for all employees. Physical therapists implemented a combination of tailored hands on inservices, orientations, ergonomic assessments, physical therapy screens, return to work appointments, and education sessions over a period of six years. By tailoring the approach for each department, the TMP could focus on employee safety and environmental awareness, ultimately lower the risk of injury, claims and costs.

Principal Findings

Results demonstrated a statistically significant decrease in workers’ compensation claims and overall costs in the years following the implementation of the TMP. Changes were immediate and continued over several years, indicating the effectiveness of the TMP.

Practical Applications

Healthcare continues to be the most dangerous profession, with workers facing risk of injury from a number of possibilities. The TMP effectively addressed those risks. As the health care institution grew and evolved, so, too, did the TMP, altering itself and the needs and risks for each department changed. Interdisciplinary collaboration and communication were key to the success of the program. Continued reassessment is required to address the changing needs and institutional growth to ensure future success.