In 2019, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were more than 78,000 nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses reported in the state of Georgia among private industry employees. That amounted to 2.5 cases per 100 full-time workers, adding to the national total of $171 billion lost due to workplace injuries in 2019. [Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics]
Accidents and injuries happen everyday in businesses across the country, including Georgia. Not only are they costly, but they can lead to lower productivity, decreasing overall profit. This is why ensuring a full and speedy recovery for injured employees is essential.
At Direct Pay PT/DX, we assist business owners and their wounded workers with finding safe, reliable and efficient medical service providers so that those employees can get back to work as soon as possible. Of the large list of providers we are in contact with, our team primarily works with physical, occupational and respiratory therapists.
Physical Therapists
Physical therapists (PT) evaluate and treat abnormal physical functions due to disease, disability or injury. In workers’ compensation, PTs work to improve an injured worker’s physical capabilities with the goal to restore their ability to work. These injuries can span a variety of jobs, from construction workers with severe back pain to administrative assistance suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome.
Occupational Therapists
When an employee sustains a severe work injury, such as head trauma, and becomes disabled, paralyzed or disoriented, it’s time for an occupational therapist (OT) to step in. OTs aim to enable injured employees in performing everyday activities while also preparing them to return to work. There are four phases for occupational therapy: job analysis, ergonomic analysis, return-to-work consultation and job coaching. Due to the extent of their work, hiring OTs can be costly, which is why working with a medical management provider, like Direct PT/DX, is critical for cost containment.
Respiratory Therapists
Lastly, we often work with respiratory therapists (RT). These physicians service employees who have been exposed to toxic chemicals in the workplace and now suffer from breathing difficulties. Respiratory therapy can help these workers to recover from respiratory distress and ailments while also teaching them to use devices like inhalers and portable oxygen concentrators.
Under the workers’ compensation law, employers are responsible for the medical treatment and possible rehabilitation of injured employees, all of which can be time-consuming, disallowing your HR team from mitigating other issues in the workplace. Make it easier for yourself by hiring Direct PT/DX. We employ people who are extremely knowledgeable of the intricacies involved with the medical and insurance industries to handle these complex cases.
Interested in our other services? Check out this article on the role of diagnostic imaging in workers’ compensation.
Contact Direct PT/DX today! (866) 214-5920 | scheduling@DirectPTDX.com
