250 likes | 340 Views
Return to Work April 12, 2011 Louise Caicco Tett, RN, BScN, CRSP. Learning Objectives. The participants will: Discuss WSIB’s New Service Delivery Model Describe the theory and legal requirements associated with Return to Work (RTW). Some food for thought….
E N D
Return to WorkApril 12, 2011Louise Caicco Tett, RN, BScN, CRSP
Learning Objectives • The participants will: • Discuss WSIB’s New Service Delivery Model • Describe the theory and legal requirements associated with Return to Work (RTW).
Some food for thought….. • Rates of return to work in Ontario have declined over the past 10 years
Some guiding principles • If an injured worker is off for six months, there is a 50% chance of that worker returning to work • Chances drop to 20% if worker is off one year • Time is of the essence! WSIB 2008, based on NIDMAR research
More guiding principles • RTW is a process and must be managed in a systematic way • Injured workers want to get better and be productive members of society • Workers need to be treated with dignity and respect
More guiding principles • RTW is based on objective medical information • We need to treat all employees in the same manner – i.e. consistency • Focus on abilities, not disabilities i.e. what canthe worker do? • Think outside the box
WhyRTW? Employer The law: • the employer shall contact the worker ASAP after injury and maintain communication throughout recovery • the employer shall provide suitable employment that is available and consistent with the worker’s functional abilities
Why ESRTW? Worker Thelaw: • the worker shall contact the employer ASAP after injury and maintain communication throughout recovery • the worker shall assist the employer to identify suitable employment that is available and consistent with the worker’s functional abilities
Physical Demands Analyses • systematic procedure to quantify, and evaluate all of the physical and environmental demand components of all essential and non-essential tasks of a job.
Independent Medicals • Employer can request an independent medical; pays for it • Worker may appeal decision for IM • Board hears appeal, and makes a final decision
Health Care Practitioners • Required to promptly give the Board such information relating to the worker as the Board may require • This includes Functional Abilities Forms
Duty to Cooperate Worker and Employer
The RTW Team • Injured Worker • Immediate Supervisor • Union Representative • Claims Manager • WSIB • Health Care Professional
RTW Plans • Set Goals ex return to pre-injury employment • Actions – outline responsibilities of worker, supervisor, manager, co-workers • TimeFrames – ex two hours first week, 4 hours second week, etc • HealthCareNeeds – ex. appointments during work hours
Communication is the key • Fill in the Blanks
Case Study-2004 to 2007 • Knee injury Sept 2004, no lost time • Dec 2006 – employer informed that worker needed knee surgery in Jan 2007 • Started working on RTW – worker missed one week of work
Case Study-2004 to 2007 • Received permission from WSIB to include a “road trip” with supervisor as part of RTW plan – was part of normal job; WSIB put some parameters in place to ensure safety; spoke to worker who was in agreement
Case Study-2004 to 2007 • RTW included • working from home, • company driving worker to work (winter) • company paying for taxi to physio • physio as part of work day • wife driving worker to work
Case Study-2004 to 2007 • RTW included • exercise bike at work • worker able to drive self to work • physio appointments at end of work day • back to full time hours, same job
Why did it work? • Planned in advance • Supervisor had support from corporate office • Worker and his wife were supportive of process • WSIB was very involved • Physio focused on improvements • It was progressive – there was a goal
Tell me one thing you’ll do differently in your RTW program
Learning Objectives • The participants will: • Discuss WSIB’s New Service Delivery Model • Describe the theory and legal requirements associated with Return to Work (RTW).