September 2009 Archives

KCI, the leader in wound V.A.C. technology, has provided TMS statistics that show on average TMS discharges wound vac's faster than other workers' comp payers.

A wound vac is an expensive piece of equipment that helps promote wound healing. The sooner the wound heals, the faster the wound vac can be discharged and the lower the cost for the insurance carrier. TMS claimants heal more often in the first 30 days than ALL other workers' comp payers, according to KCI's statistics.

How does TMS do it?

TMS sends only certified wound care nurses and/or EXPERIENCED wound vac nurses. TMS can start wound vac services within 24 hours. TMS' cases are less likely to have a lapse in care or services due to close oversight and constant communication with all parties involved.

TMS claimants, on average, are on wound vac's a shorter time than other workers' comp payers which equals BIG SAVINGS for the carrier.

Learn more about wound vac's.

So now that you know you have some complex cases, what to do? Kevin Glennon, RN, BSN, CDMS, QRP and Vice President of Clinical Services of Total Medical Solutions, suggests knowledge is essential. Get to know your claimant and have a first hand understanding of all aspects of the claim. Know the relevant medical issues, potential complications, range of treatment options and home health / equipment options available. Seek the help of an experienced home health partner with expertise in managing complex workers' comp injuries.

When seeking the help of a home health partner, look for comprehensive and pro-active treatment plans that include:

• Identification of all current medical issues and staff involved
• List of all treatments, pharmaceuticals, equipment and supplies
• Potential complications and recommended safeguards
• Appropriate equipment recommendations
• A list of co-morbidities
• Recovery timeline with goals and objectives
• A return-to-work plan, if applicable

Glennon says the cost of complex claims can be dramatically impacted by pro-active planning and by using an experienced supplier. While the carrier may spend more money up front to prevent expensive complications at the end, the overall cost of the claim can be greatly reduced.

Complex cases in workers' compensation are a major contributing factor to rising workers' compensation costs. Complex cases do not necessarily start off as catastrophic, but expenses can get out of hand very quickly, and these cases can become catastrophic if they are not managed appropriately.

In order to keep an eye on workers' comp costs, Kevin Glennon, RN, BSN, CDMS, QRP and Vice President of Clinical Services for Total Medical Solutions, recommends the first step is to take an inventory of how many complex cases you are currently handling. Ask yourself these questions about each case:

• Is more than one body system affected?
• Does the case involve more than one physician?
• Are there more than three prescription medications involved?
• Does the claimant require durable medical equipment?
• Does the claimant require home health care?
• Are home modifications required to accommodate the claimant?
• Does the claimant have an infection?

If you answered yes to one or more of the questions above, chances are the case is complex. Complex cases should be given extra care and attention to help the patient recover as quickly as possible, and manage costs before the spiral out of control.

How will your organization handle the next emergency? Everyone shares concern over the spread of the H1N1 Flu virus. How will it impact your organization and community? Will you be ready? What do you do? What special considerations do you need to make if you are caring for individuals who are wounded or disabled?

Whether you are a business owner, hospital administrator, executive, city planner, manager, or a first responder, you need to be ready to handle such a situation. In order to minimize the consequences on your organization and community, the best bet is to be prepared and do some pro-active planning. The first step: familiarize yourself with your organization's emergency or disaster preparedness plan. Need to develop one? Here is a collection of tools and resources to help you get started.

Swine Flu Preparedness Tools for Professionals

CDC's Latest Update on H1N1

Preparedness Tools & Resources by Disability.gov

Ready.gov - Tips for putting together an emergency kit

Business.gov - Emergency Preparedness Resources

NCCI reports that there is growing evidence that obesity not only contributes to the cost of medical care in workers' compensation, but that it is "significant in magnitude." They point to a recent study of workers' compensation claims of Duke University employees, where it shows for the morbidly obese, the medical costs per 100 full-time employees are nearly seven times more than for employees of recommended weight. The study also discusses how costs increase significantly as the claims mature. See the NCCI Full Study "Reserving in the Age of Obesity."  NCCI continues to study obesity and says it is an important trend to watch as it relates to workers' compensation claims.  They expect to publish a new full study in early 2010. Check their website often for updates on this important topic. www.ncci.com

Another study on obesity, conducted by Johns Hopkins (Bloomberg School of Public Health) published in May of 2007, shows similar findings, and in particular, that obesity increases the risk of traumatic workplace injuries.