Our Services
CHRISTUS St. Michael Rehabilitation Hospital WorkAbility Program
Workers' compensation isn't just handling claims anymore--it means developing safety, accident prevention and occupational rehabilitation programs.
The CHRISTUS St. Michael WorkAbility program helps employers significantly reduce their costs and time spent processing claims by providing prevention measures to reduce the risk of on-the-job injuries and illness, rehabilitation services to return injured employees to work as soon as possible, cost reduction measures to hold medical costs to a minimum through efficient case management, and close relationships with companies in order to respond to specific needs when they arise.
By implementing a comprehensive prevention program employers can create a workplace that keeps the risk in injury and illness to a minimum.
Returning an employee to work at the earliest possible time is the foundation of Workers' Compensation Management. Rehabilitation is the most important component in achieving this goal. Returning an employee to work at his/her highest functional capacity is the goal of the CHRISTUS St. Michael WorkAbility program. Assessments provide the road map to treatment by measuring the individual's physical needs and functional abilities. Physical/Occupational Therapy strengthen the injured employee, decreasing the number of days off. Therapy can be provided for hands, elbows, shoulders, necks, backs, hips, knees, ankles, feet, etc.
Work Hardening provides strengthening for more job specific tasks that are provided by the physical requirements for the job description. For those industries that do not have a return -to-work program, Work Hardening will provide the consistency and the direction needed by the injured employee to return at a faster rate.
Through the WorkAbility program, companies have access to the following services enabling them to develop a comprehensive injury and illness prevention program:
- Physical requirements of the job description
- Employment assessment
- Job site analysis
- Ergonomic evaluation/assessment
- On-site spine education
- Body mechanics
- Exercise programs
- Smoking cessation
- Nutrition education
The WorkAbility program works with employers to develop protocols and keep them on file streamlining the paper work and keeping the employer informed of the employee's progress.
Prevention of injuries is the most cost effective measure in management and CHRISTUS St. Michael WorkAbility can provide assistance to companies to maintain a healthier work force. For more information, contact Mark Smith at 903-735-5317.
