Workplace injuries not only jeopardize the health and well-being of employees but also pose significant financial burdens on businesses. Fortunately, implementing on-site care initiatives can help mitigate these costs, while also improving the health, happiness and productivity of employees. Here are five effective strategies to reduce the cost of workplace injuries.
- Prioritize immediate response and treatment. Prompt response to injuries is crucial in minimizing their impact. By providing on-site medical care facilities with trained nurses, employers can ensure that injuries are addressed swiftly, preventing them from escalating into more severe conditions. Immediate treatment not only improves outcomes for injured employees but also reduces the need for costly urgent care or emergency room visits that can spiral into unnecessary overcare and worker’s comp claims.
- Choose an occupational healthcare partner you can trust. On-site occupational healthcare options are only as good as the results they produce. But many traditional industrial healthcare providers charge based on the volume of treatment, which can incentivize over-utilization and unnecessary claims. Instead, look for a partner with a fixed-cost clinic model tied to labor hours worked.
- Encourage compassionate conversations. Injured employees need to feel like they’re being heard and treated with the best possible care—otherwise, they may seek outside options that can cost employers significantly. Make sure the nurses and staff in your on-site clinics are trained to not only provide premium care for injured employees, but also handle situations in a way that will mitigate unnecessary workers’ compensation claims.
- Offer continued support. The beauty of on-site care models built on hours worked (versus treatment volume) is that follow-up care and attention don’t cost employers extra. After the initial treatment, your on site clinic staff should follow up with the injured worker to monitor their progress and address any emerging concerns. Continued support prevents complications (both physical and emotional) and ensures a successful recovery and return to full productivity.
- Leverage data-driven insights. Just as important as the treatment from your on-site clinic is the data that comes from it. Make sure you work with a partner who can collect, assess and consult with you on the data—to identify trends and patterns in workplace injuries can help businesses implement targeted interventions to address underlying causes. This data can also help you see how bottom-line healthcare costs are trending and measure your return on investment.
Reducing the cost of workplace injuries requires a holistic approach. Quality on-site care, specifically, offers businesses valuable opportunities to reduce the cost of workplace injuries while promoting employee health and safety. In fact, one large construction project owner saved millions with this strategy—read that story here. Or contact the On Site Medical team to learn more about how we can help.