What is Occupational Medical Care?

Occupational medicine (also called occupational health) is a multidisciplinary field of health care dedicated to the safety and well-being of employees in the workplace. The main focus of occupational medicine is treating work-related injuries and illnesses. It also places a strong emphasis on preventing injuries and illnesses in the first place by creating safer workplaces.

Some of the key benefits that occupational medicine provides include:

  • Improved health and safety
  • Reduced costs associated with accidents and incidents
  • Lower insurance premiums
  • Improved staff relations, morale, and productivity
  • Increased regulatory compliance

What Services Does Occupational Medicine Provide?

Work Injury Care

The most fundamental service that occupational medicine provides is workplace injury care. Occupational health specialists work with patients to focus on recovery and return to pre-injury levels of function. Some common workplace injuries include:

  • Slips, trips, and falls
  • Cuts and lacerations
  • Muscle strains & Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI)
  • Being hit by falling objects
  • Walking into objects

Comprehensive treatment plans and expert care are key to helping patients recover so that they can return to work safely and efficiently. Occupational health providers also work with patients to try and prevent their injuries from disrupting daily life outside of work.

Occupational Therapy

Some injuries can heal within a few days or weeks with no lingering issues, letting patients return to work quickly. However, certain types of injuries or conditions may require rehabilitative therapy in order to regain the highest level of function possible. Common conditions that require therapy include:

  • Back or neck injuries
  • Sciatica, pinched nerves, or herniated disks
  • Sprains, dislocations, or tears
  • Broken bones
  • Hand or wrist injuries
  • Arthritis and carpal tunnel

Occupational therapy provides several services to patients, including injury evaluation and treatment, functional capacity evaluations, work conditioning, and ergonomic evaluations.

Patient Exams, Screenings, & Vaccinations

Occupational medical care also includes screenings, physicals, & vaccinations. Types of exams and screenings include:

  • Pre-Placement Exams ensure that applicants can safely perform the job they’re applying for
  • Return-to-Work Exams (aka Fit for Duty exams) determine whether employees can safely return to the workplace after an injury
  • Certification Physicals (DOT/CDL, FAA, Firefighter, Police, Guard)
  • Health Screenings (PPD/TB, Pulmonary Function Tests, Audio, Vision, Blood draws)
  • Drug & AlcoholTests ensure that employees aren’t working under the influence
  • Vaccinations (Flu, Tdap, Hep A & B, etc.) keep workers safe from illness and disease

Workplace Assessments & Programs

Work-related injuries can be expensive. One of the best ways to treat them is to prevent them from happening in the first place. Education and increased awareness of workplace hazards can greatly reduce the risk of injuries or accidents. This, coupled with a preventative health program will promote better overall health for employees. Some initiatives that can help employees stay safe, healthy, and productive include:

  • Health Risk Assessments at the job site
  • Training Courses for equipment, machinery, and tools
  • Classes & Workshops
  • Health & Fitness Programs
  • Nutrition Coaching

At Colorado Occupational Medical Partners, our mission is to deliver the highest quality of occupational health care and physical rehabilitation to return patients to their highest level of function. Our team is dedicated to employers and patients, and we strive to develop strong, positive relationships with a culture based on safety, transparency, empathy, and trust. To find out more, find our location nearest to you.

Let Colorado Occupational Medical Partners be your source for occupational therapies and care in Colorado.