Outcomes Research
WCS 2009 Patient Treatment Outcomes:
Individualized Treatment Approach Enables Patients to
Meet Normal Job Demands
Investigation of 314 workers compensation patients in the calendar year of 2009 indicated time efficient treatment with the ability for patients to achieve normal job demands during treatment.
In order to determine functional capabilities, patients performed job specific material handling tasks with free weights as opposed to machinery, pulley weights or isometric force production. Functional levels were then expressed utilizing Physical Demand Level Classification System as outlined by the U.S. Department of Labor.
Patients realized functional strength increases through participation in the WCS Return to Work Program and Advanced Physical Therapy. Hallmarks of these programs include individualized treatment planning and programming, patient accountability and patient contribution. Attainment of normal job demand occurred in the following time frames:
Mean number of weeks in Advanced Physical Therapy = 5.5
Mean number of weeks in Return to Work Program = 4.3
Mean total number of weeks in treatment = 5.8
In an industry that values evidenced based practices, WCS has been able to demonstrate both effectiveness and efficiency in the treatment outcomes for the patients it has served.
Education
WCS routinely holds Continuing Education Seminars for all types of audiences, including case managers, insurance companies, and employers. These seminars cover the latest Workers Compensation Issues and feature Physicians, Attorneys and Health Care Professionals who specialize in the management and treatment of individuals with Worker’s Compensation Claims. WCS can bring these seminars directly to your office or you can attend WCS’s quarterly seminars held in the Chicago Area. Listed below is a short list of these seminars. Please check the upcoming events page for more information on future CEU Courses. For more information please email rtownsend@wcsrehab.com or call 708-671-0771. 1. Return to Work Program: An Athletic Based Model
a. How do you differentiate between a progressive return to work program and routine work conditioning? This course discusses the methodology of returning injured employees to work in the most efficient and cost effective manner.
2. Functional Capacity Evaluations
a. From Isernhagen to Matheson to Hart, their are several different FCE protocols. What do you look for in an FCE? How do you read an FCE? When is an FCE appropriate? This seminar examines several different FCE methodologies and research findings. Most importantly, this seminar discusses the cost effectiveness and return to work implications of various FCE’s.
3. Treatment of the Industrial’s Athletes: (Each region is considered one seminar)
a. Cervical Spine
b. Lumbar Spine
c. Shoulder
d. Hip
e. SI Joint
f. Knee
g. Ankle
h. This seminar reviews the anatomy, mechanisms of injury, methodology of treatment, progression, and return to work time lines for the aforementioned body regions. It also reviews appropriate treatment progression so the attendee understands the return to work time tables.