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What is Injury Management
Published 26/06/2021
What Is Injury Management And Why Is It Important?
An injury occurs when a part of your body loses its function. It makes you stay out of work as you wait to recover. Injury management is a process that involves procedures for fast and safe return to work for injured workers. The process involves the treatment, rehabilitation, counseling as well as work compensation claim.
In an injury management process, there is work collaboration from many people. Teamwork is essential for the quick recovery of the employee to resume to their regular work routine. Each member of the team recognizes their duties and responsibilities and all the members work towards a common goal.
Members of the management team include:
- The injured employees-Injury management process should revolve around them. They should get notifications on decisions made by other members of the team.
- Supervisors-They collaborate with other members of the team for the employee's quick recovery. Also, they should provide a suitable environment to work for the employee. Supervisors often give feedback to the medical practitioner on how the employee is fairing.
- Medical practitioners-They provide insight on when the employee is safe to return to work. Medical practitioners collaborate with other physicians for review, treatment plans, and rehabilitation services for the employee.
- Insurer- The insurer usually manages the employee's work claims and get them compensated.
- Approved rehabilitation provider- In case there is a need for long-term support, a rehabilitation provider is suitable. The medical practitioner, employee, and employer should be mutual about this decision.
Good communication and collaboration among all members are important. This helps on saving time and money for all involved.
Injury Management Process
When an injury occurs, the injured employee should see a medical practitioner. The medical practitioner will then approve a Worker's Compensation Medical Certificate. So, the injured worker will then fill in the required places for approval.
The medical practitioner and the work supervisor discuss the appropriate time for the worker to resume to work. Subsequently, the employer decides on the suitable duties for the worker to perform and the employee returns to work following the medical practitioner's guidelines.
The medical practitioner updates the work supervisor on the worker's progress through more medical certificates. However, if the employee is unable to do the required duties and responsibilities, the supervisor, in turn, notifies the medical team. According to the worker's capabilities, there are alternative duties, or they reduce.
Alternative duties may be on a part-time basis or assisting others. Mostly, these duties are part-time and temporary. In addition, help and training are necessary as part of injury management.
Once the medical practitioner has confirmed the recovery of injury, the employee may return to work. If the employee works without any problem or difficulties, then the worker's compensation claim is complete.
The injury management process for all injuries, illnesses, and diseases is confidential. The related documents are available to authorized persons only.
Importance of Injury Management
- It contributes to a quicker and more recovery for the worker.
- There is an attachment to the workplace. Workers maintain good relations with other co-workers.
- It aims at improving the employer-employee relationship.
- It minimizes the time lost and levels of production.
- There is little or no worker disruption in their normal routine.
- It gives all injured workers fair and equal treatment.
- Provides a lower claim lost by reducing the number of loss injuries. It also reduces the duration a worker spends at home.
- It benefits with psychological, physical, and financial aspects to the employee.
- It guarantees an early and safe return to work.
- It assists businesses and companies in understanding and meeting their legal responsibilities.
- The company can keep its experienced and best workers.
- It aims at preventing unnecessary disability.
- Employers have easy access to medical personnel for the best occupational health principles.
- An employee has a sense of good security and stability.
- The employer is able to anticipate hidden costs.
The success of an injury management process depends on the proper management of incidents. Keep all documentation secured for future reference or any legal aspects. Having a sound injury management system helps save you money and time.
