Our Approach to Injury Management
At OccMedCIC, we strongly feel that excellent care upfront gives the best chance of optimal outcomes, especially for the worker. Unfortunately, this contrasts with the current MA Worker’s Compensation System, which provides extremely low reimbursement and doesn’t include measures to improve outcomes or help assure high-quality care.
After each visit, our providers call the worker’s supervisor/manager/safety director to review the plan of care and work status. We request that the Worker Compensation Information form (see below) is completed as soon as possible after the first visit and prior to the worker’s follow-up visit.
Here at OccMedCIC, we offer an alternative that uses evidenced-based measures and improves the standard of care for injury management. Our approach allows every participant to contribute, ask questions, and clarify work status.
We are proud of outcome data generated via both internal review and independently via client WC Insurance Broker and General Contractor.
Active Functional Recovery
Our providers encourage graduated return to regular activity as soon as possible. We review a customized self-care program with each injured worker at their very first visit. We give the worker the tools they need to initiate their program at home (e.g., therapy band, hand therapy ball, digital reminders of series of stretches). This approach empowers the worker and obviates unnecessary immobilization while reducing the proportion of patients that require referrals to a PT or OT. At each visit we review the home program as well as the status of modified work duties if the worker is on light duty.
Telehealth
Providers at OccMedCIC are happy to use telehealth for the convenience of the worker when it makes sense. Telehealth can be great with certain visit types such as uncomplicated follow-up visits or when triaging minor wounds. With the worker’s consent, an onsite EMT or Safety Professional may be available who can actively participate in the encounter. If the worker is at home, a family member can prove helpful to hold the camera and augment history.
There are limitations to telehealth and we may request a face-to-face visit in certain circumstances, e.g., if hands-on physical exam findings are necessary. In-person visits for the initial care evaluation are strongly preferred (in order to establish rapport, obtain vital signs, due to X-ray availability, to complete a care physical exam, etc.).
What We Do
OccMedCIC handles a variety of workplace wounds. We treat wounds and coordinate active functional recovery to avoid lost time.
We offer:
- Incision and drainage procedures
- Laboratory testing for culture and sensitivity for treating infections
- Foreign body exploratory procedures
- Wound follow-up care from the Emergency Department
- Suturing
Along with those services, Dr. Burress has specialized skills in complex, layered closures for any part of the body. He can deal with burns and crush, grinder, or other power tool injuries that require complex wound management.
After Hours Treatment
We view aftercare as one of our most important market advantages. Patients seen at OccMedCIC are given a provider’s cell number to call if difficulties arise (e.g., signs of early wound infection). Existing clients are given a way to reach Dr. John Burress off-hours. If Emergency Department care has occurred, then OccMedCIC can assume care of wounds, general injury care, and establish work status. For time critical 24/7 construction projects (e.g., replacing a bridge major road) that need access to afterhours suture care, an on-call arrangement can be developed.
Orthopedic Needs
The orthopedic skill set of OccMedCIC providers allows us to definitively care for a high proportion of workers with injuries. OccMedCIC fits patients for many commonly used orthopedic splints and braces in-house. Our location is strategic and deliberate in that we can also coordinate PT/OT for Mass General Hospital cast clinic. We utilize the MGH radiology department for X-rays, CT, and real-time Musculoskeletal (MSK) radiological services by Fellowship-trained interpretations.
Due to the volume of our secondary referrals, we have a network of subspecialists who are happy to collaborate with us on management of worker injuries. Real-time input and precisely targeted subspeciality consultations facilitate optimal care delivery. We achieve timely MRI/advanced imaging in locations convenient to the worker and engage each worker on their preferences as to where and with whom they would like to be seen when additional care is necessary, e.g., surgery.
Our resourceful care coordinator establishes an open line of communication with the worker during the process of achieving approvals for testing or additional evaluations. OccMedCIC can constructively impact the entire care cycle, to assist with RTW (return-to-work) challenges.
Eye Injuries
An extremely common presentation for us, OccMedCIC providers are adept at addressing foreign bodies to the eye. We methodically check the pH, apply fluorescein dye, and with a special UV light can locate specks on the surface of the eye or underneath an eyelid. We can readily remove foreign bodies and definitively address residual rust staining.
The location of our clinic is strategic and deliberate in that, when indicated, we can readily achieve input/additional care from Mass Eye and Ear Infirmary as it is next to our office.
Diagnostic Imaging
We are purposefully located adjacent to Mass General Hospital (MGH) to allow our patients to access the high-quality equipment and experienced X-ray or CT techs at MGH, as well as benefit from the immediate digital images, quick interpretations, and when necessary, real-time input from fellowship-trained radiologists.
As needed, our staff can assist with wheelchair transport to X-ray.
MRIs/Advanced Imaging
Our providers and care coordinator do the hard work to substantiate and get timely approvals for advanced imaging. Dr. Burress is very familiar with pertinent treatment guidelines (e.g., serves on the guideline writing committee for MA). We can often achieve the MRI near a worker’s residence and then access images/report digitally. Due to the volume of MRIs ordered by us, our patients get the benefit of excellent service and collaboration with the radiologist.
