Environmental Health & Safety

Biography

Biography: Kathy Norris

Abstract

Emory Healthcare with Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia employs 39,075 employees. Contract onsite physical therapy and ergonomic services were added in 2001. Employees with work related musculoskeletal injures only required five onsite physical therapy visits versus the national average of fourteen visits. The cost savings of physical therapy and employee labor
costs were $887,574 in 2006. In 2008, Emory’s Occupational Injury Management Department was developed and physical therapists specializing in ergonomics were hired full time. The Emory employee received physical therapy, body mechanics instruction and an ergonomic evaluation as needed. Physical therapy statistics of discharged patients were recorded for three
years to evaluate the discharge work status, physical therapy visits, the departments with injuries, and types of injuries. The goal was to provide good evidence based justification for onsite medical management with physical therapy and ergonomic services. Over 300 Emory employees were discharged annually from onsite physical therapy. The statistics revealed 90% to 93% of the employees returned to work full duty. With close medical management, only 35% of the employees required outside physician referral. The Nursing, Facilities Management, and Food and Nutrition Departments had the highest injuries. Injury prevention programs were designed based on the department ergonomic evaluations. A Safe Patient Handling Program was initiated in 2006. In 2014, there was a 12.5% cumulative reduction in lifting injuries. The average cost per WC case reduced by $2100 in ten years. Emory’s comprehensive approach expedites the successful return to full duty work and reduces the cost of work related injuries.