South Keys clinics provide state-of-the-art industrial rehabilitation services designed to prevent injury and facilitate rapid and effective case resolution. From pre- to post-injury, we offer employers, insurers, attorneys, physicians, and case managers everything they need to fully serve workers’ compensation cases—and help prevent workplace injuries.
Job Site Analysis
Clinicians at South Keys health center are trained to analyze and describe jobs in detail, with particular emphasis on the determination of the Essential Functions of the job. Job Site Analyses are used to design rehabilitation programs and provide a framework for evaluations such as Functional Capacity Evaluations (FCE) and Post-Offer Evaluations. These are demanding of rigorous attention-to-detail and defensibility. We use state of the art software and digital instruments to quickly and efficiently capture all the job metrics to present a concise yet detailed report of the job functions.
Functional Capacity Evaluations (FCE)
Our functional capacity evaluations are performed using the most advanced computerized instrumentation and multimedia tools that enable the evaluator to focus on the behavior and functional tolerance of the examinee. Detailed reports are clear and concise and withstand the rigor of legal challenge. Objective evaluation of maximum voluntary effort and reliability of symptoms qualify the validity of the examinee’s performance. Results are used to identify and provide solutions to the barriers to case resolution. Evaluations are tailored to the pre-injury job, specific injury findings, and requests from referrers. Our evaluations have been used in complex high stakes litigation both locally and regionally. Our hybrid evaluation comprises the best components of the Matheson, Blankenship and JTech Medical systems of evaluation.
Ergonomic Analysis
Ergonomic analyses are used to identify risk factors associated with a job. These can comprise simple but effective mini-analyses, or in-depth analyses of complex commercial or industrial work sites. We favor a participatory style of ergonomics that taps into the experience and contribution of those onsite and which is founded on discovery, training, and eventual independent evaluation. Recommendations are suggested to mitigate risk factors, protect workers, optimize productivity, and reduce employer exposure. Advanced analytic tools, such as the NIOSH Lifting Equation and Cumulative Trauma Risk Assessment tools, help employers evaluate the efficacy of administrative and engineering changes before their implementation so as to save time and money. We have assisted employers in Ottawa, Toronto, Kingston and Montreal, Quebec with our in-depth ergonomic analyses.
Post-Offer Evaluations
All employers in the Ontario and Quebec have the ability to test applicants for any job, and to withdraw an offer of employment from those who fail to demonstrate ability to safely perform those demands that are job related and of business necessity (essential functions). This protects the worker and the employer from costly and unnecessary injuries. We understand that even minor workplace injuries can be very disruptive and costly to employers, and that preventing injuries is of significant value for the wellbeing of workers and in helping employers maintain profitability. These evaluations are based on thorough job site analysis, with particular emphasis on the essential functions of the job as described by the Canadians with Disabilities Act (CDA). We work with employers to identify those jobs that pose the most risk, analyze and quantify the risk, design the post- offer tests, and implement the program within the guidelines of the CDA and the Barrier Free Canada. Where necessary, we also work with employers to defend against challenges to the legitimacy of the program.
Work Conditioning
There is a transitional period in many patients’ recovery in which they have met all the goals of their physical therapy program, but they are not yet ready to safely return to work. This may be because they lack strength, agility, aerobic fitness, or workplace tolerance in general. In these instances, work conditioning or work hardening are excellent options to achieve case resolution and assist in returning the worker to work in a safe and effective manner. Our team’s expertise in designing work conditioning programs, combined with our state-of-the-art facilities, allow simulation of almost every possible workstation, and aid in returning injured employees to work as quickly as possible—and with the least possibility of re-injury. We work with case managers and employers to identify the demands of the job so that these can be used to design the work conditioning program. Our staff regularly communicates the patients’ progress to all parties concerned.
Industrial Rehabilitation Treatment Sessions
South Keys offers a comprehensive workers’ compensation treatment program. We communicate closely with adjusters, case managers, and physicians to (1) secure the necessary authorization for treatment, and (2) report on updated patient progress toward case resolution. We use a treatment approach that helps to identify the root cause of pain, restore function, and facilitate recovery, thereby promoting early return to work. Our patients with non-surgical musculoskeletal injuries receive an average of 10 visits of treatment per episode. We are aware of the significant cost to an employer when a worker is injured and the value of injury prevention, or rapid, safe, and effective return to work.