Lessons from great work comp programs
My effort to type as fast as the smart folks at WCRI’s employer panel talked is below - the panel featured Aramark, Disney, Marriott and Publix.
The conversation began with efforts to use telehealth, nurse triage and to improve access to care; these help in several circumstances…
Marriott’s Justin Romine noted these are key for shift workers, as an example those working early in the morning in ski towns in California with can be quite remote.
Romine also noted they got motivated about remote therapeutic monitoring which documented movement and efforts to recover. (full disclosure - I consult with Plethy, the company Marriott is partnering with). Housekeepers are in a very tough job and often stay a long time so may have injuries exacerbated by age
All indicated prevention is top of mind - Romine noted they encouraged workers to rest when aches and pains first appear; Disney’s Lori Daughtry emphasized Disney’s cast members work in what can be rough conditions so Disney is quite aware of the need to ensure they have quick access to knowledgeable clinicians..
Nicole Patterson discussed the reasons Aramark provides nurse triage access – they need coverage when internal claims and NCMs aren’t working; this enable Aramark to get quickly Gert help to workers that may be injured.
Aramark often runs three shifts so access to clinical guidance late at night or early in the mornin is essential for warehouse and hospitality workers.
Sharon DelGuercio of Publix strongly emphasized the need to be intentional in all aspects of the program; one example is to be “all about relationship building with Primary Care Providers” to ensure providers are aligned culturally and have the same philosophy on recovery and RTW.
Joan Vincenz of United discussed a really creative and equally brilliant initiative she was involved in. United matched WC data w group health data to identify potential comorbidities.
The results were compelling: people with comorbidities who had injuries were 70% more likely to have ER visits and 90% more likely to have unnecessary ER visits. The strongest predictor was combination of mental health and sleep or high BMI or diabetes; this is really smart as comorbidities always make injures more costly and take longer to recover.
Vincenz also highlighted United’s efforts to protect workers from heat-related injuries; employees have wearables whose data is accessed by ONLY accessible to the individual employee to monitor potential issues related to dehydration and heat. As “below the wing” staff (think ramp workers) can move between really hot (inside a plane loading baggage) to air-conditioned spaces its vital to actually measure and know where it is hotter. This helps United cycle people thru different workplaces to prevent overexposure.
Talking about heat, the key is to prepare for it -
prep and coach associates to not push thru
provider constant reminders to be safe and be aware,
monitor symptoms,
put in place limits on time in heat restrictions,
provide access to water coolers and air-conditioned break rooms, and
designing facilities to mitigate heat and keep workers cool.