Injury Management
Prime’s Approach
Prime offers a unique approach to working with employers and employees, supporting health and safety in the workplace and offering an integrated health solution that delivers results. Rising workers’ compensation costs, lost time injuries, lost productivity and poor employee morale are all challenges affecting today’s busy work environments.
Working closely with employers, Prime delivers a range of medical services tailored to address work related health and safety needs. Our doctors are available to visit the workplace to develop a better understanding of the type of work performed and build relationships with employers and employees. Proactive management of a work related injury is enhanced through this process. Our doctors have all chosen to specialise in the occupational health area. They understand the issues affecting employees when they have an injury and they understand the concerns of the employer in managing the injury in the most effective way. Our approach is simple:
Step 1
Where an employee suffers an injury at work, the nearest Prime clinic is contacted and advised that the employee needs to be seen by a doctor as soon as possible.
Depending on the nature and severity of the injury, priority treatment will be provided. The doctor will have an understanding of the work environment and the job demands for that employee and will take this into account when assessing the injury. In most cases a site visit can be arranged so that the doctor has a full appreciation of the specific workplace. The doctor is experienced in dealing with workers’ compensation and completes all necessary paperwork. A review appointment will be made if necessary.
Step 2
If the employee is fit to return to the workplace (as will be the case in most circumstances) and is not restricted from resuming their normal duties, they will return to work with their medical certificate and hand this to their supervisor. If the employee is not fit to return to work in their full capacity the doctor will contact the workplace to discuss alternative duties or make recommendations regarding restrictions that must be adhered to. In most instances the doctor will contact the employer to discuss return to work. In the case where the employee requires time off work (maximum 3 days before a review) the doctor will notify the employer.
Step 3
Medical reviews are arranged at Prime as required. Referral to other services is also offered as needed, such as specialist medical assessment and physiotherapy treatment. If necessary, the doctor may also refer to a rehabilitation provider to review the workplace and identify whether any further intervention is required to manage the employee’s return to work program.
Step 4
If, after 4 weeks, the employee is not undertaking their full duties the doctor will discuss options with the employer. These may include a review by an occupational physician, further assessment of the individual’s work capacity, development of a more formalised return to work plan, or further medical intervention.
The keys to the success of the program are:
- Good communication between all parties.
- Doctor understanding of the workplace.
- Supervisor support and an understanding of the rehabilitation and workers’ compensation process.
- Alternative duties being made available.
- Regular medical and, in some cases, rehabilitation reviews.
Prime Physiotherapy, in conjunction with the Prime clinics, specialises in the management of work related injuries. Physiotherapists are encouraged to visit the workplace and gain an understanding of your company’s injury management needs so that we can facilitate early and safe return to work.
By spending time on-site we are better able to understand the mechanism of injuries sustained and can make knowledge able recommendations regarding alternative and light duties.
If someone does get injured at work, our therapists liaise with the employer, medical practitioners, the insurer and all associated health professionals to facilitate a speedy return to normal duties.
We have at our disposal a range of modalities aimed at improving outcomes whilst minimising “hands-on” dependence including:
- Hydrotherapy
- Electrotherapy
- Manual techniques including massage, muscle energy and mobilisation techniques, and manipulation
- Exercise prescription
- Pilates
- Real-time ultrasound
- Fit-ball exercises
Because our physiotherapists believe strongly in a pro-active approach to injury management, passive intervention is minimised. Instead, injured workers are encouraged to take responsibility for their rehabilitation through education and exercise.
Physical Rehabilitation Programmes
Prime provides Physical Rehabilitation Programmes through Jump Rehabilitation. Jump offers a structured, innovative approach to musculo-skeletal rehabilitation, designed to prevent or reduce some of the consequences associated with being injured at work. Jump promotes early intervention, therapeutic exercise to help prevent possible detraining, depression and dependency and reinforces a “wellness” model. The aims are two fold:
- To provide appropriate formal exercise programmes based on objective outcome measures which complement existing treatment protocols; and
- To establish and maintain excellent communication channels with all relevant parties.
In many cases, implementation of this type of programme may reduce the need for vocational rehabilitation, particularly when the injured worker is able to participate in alternative duties and complete their program on-site.
Clients referred for a Jump Rehabilitation Program receive extensive physical and functional assessments and are subsequently provided with exercises tailored to their specific requirements. This mayinclude exercises in water and/or a gymnasium setting, or using different exercise modalities, depending upon the nature of the injury and level of supervision required.
Some of the benefits for the injured worker include improved cardiovascular fitness, improved independence, greater responsibility for rehabilitation, reduced passive intervention, reduced medication and, ultimately, reduced chronicity.