Injury Treatment

1. Triage and Screening Phase –Operations Manager RTW SE

Upon receiving the referral for this injured worker from the insurer and the employer, the following factors would be considered and assessed by the Injury Treatment Operations Manage (SE) during this phase to determine the most appropriate Senior Consultant to be assigned to the referral.

• Nature of the injury – right wrist strain as a result of typing
• Diagnosis – what is it?
• Current medical status – fit for SD’s 25 hours per week with incorporated lifting of <1kg
• Current treatment – is she getting any passive / active treatment / specialist review
• Type of work for which injured worker was employed – administration – keying, phone usage, filing, general office duties.
• Geographical location of injured worker – is this an employer we have dealt with before? Who is the nominated Consultant?
• Employers support of RTW options – It’s stated that no SD’s are available
• DOI – minimal lapsed time between date of injury (one month ago) & date of referral

The screening stage is vital in establishing the type of intervention that is likely to be required and the possible barriers that will prevent a successful RTW outcome in a timely manner. This referral would be allocated to a Senior Consultant by the Operations Manager who hopefully has some of the following experience

1. previously worked in a hand therapy clinic or with hand injuries,
2. has experience in conflict resolution and negotiation,
3. has worked with the identified insurance Case Manager and employer previously, and
4. has extensive experience in conducting ergonomic assessments.

Following allocation of referral an email is sent to agent and employer to confirm receipt of referral and consultant contact details (24 hours) and this is accompanied by a letter in the post to all parties.