Investigators: Tom Wickizer, Gary Franklin, Deb Fulton-Kehoe, Terri Smith-Weller, and Bob Mootz
The purpose of this evaluation is to assess the outcomes of a quality improvement system intervention developed by the Department of Labor and Industries.
This intervention, known as the Occupational Health Services Pilot Project, is intended to reduce disability among injured workers by use of occupational health best practices. Currently the intervention is being pilot tested in two sites: Valley Medical Center in Renton and St. Luke's Rehabilitation Institute in Spokane. In both sites, Centers of Occupational Health and Education (COHEs) have been established to implement the quality improvement activities. The evaluation is examining several outcomes related to care delivered through these pilot sites, including incidence and duration of disability, worker satisfaction, employment outcomes, provider satisfaction and medical and disability costs. The evaluation of the Renton pilot site was completed in June 2005; evaluation of the Spokane pilot site will be completed in June 2006.
The Renton pilot site was found to be associated with a substantial reduction in the incidence and duration of disability, with decreased workers' compensation costs, and with substantial improvement in worker satisfaction regard to employment.
- Wickizer TM, Franklin GM, Mootz RD, Fulton-Kehoe D, Plaeger-Brockway R, Drylie D, Turner JA, Smith-Weller T. A communitywide intervention to improve outcomes and reduce disability among injured workers in Washington State. Milbank Quarterly 82: 547-567 , 2004.