The Team Approach to Ergonomic Interventions at Kennedy Space Center
Presenters Robin Kramer Comprehensive Health Services, Inc. Industrial Hygienist Ergonomic Program Manager Mary Kirkland, MS, ATC/L, CSCS Bionetics Corporation Certified/Licensed Athletic Trainer Supervisor of KSC RehabWorks
Today s Presentation The team approach used to treat employees experiencing signs and symptoms of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) at KSC will be discussed. This TEAM includes: Medical Industrial Hygiene Rehabilitation KSC Ergonomics, Medical and RehabWorks Programs have been recognized as a Best Practice
Kennedy Space Center The Kennedy Space Center is located on 144,000 acres of Florida's Space Coast 15,000+ employees 40 organizations including NASA, AF, NAVY and contractors (USA, Boeing, SGS, LM)
MSD Reporting At KSC Employee with potential MSD signs & symptoms KSC Medical CHS Industrial Hygiene Ergonomic Evaluation Evaluation and Referral Organization s Workers Compensation & Safety Departments Notified KSC RehabWorks Rehabilitation & Conditioning
Medical - Patient Examination Employees report to KSC Medical when they experience signs and symptoms of MSDs. A physician examines the patient prescribes medications/rehabilitation, sets duty limits, and schedules follow-up visits. Makes referral to IH for an ergonomic evaluation.
Industrial Hygiene - Evaluation IH performs the ergonomic evaluations, which identify ergonomic risk factors and provide recommendations to minimize or abate risk factors. A report is sent to the patient s company, Medical, NASA and RehabWorks. An equipment and chair loaner program allows patients to try products to determine what best alleviates symptoms.
Industrial Hygiene - Follow-up A follow-up is conducted approximately 3 months after the ergo evaluation to ensure symptoms have subsided and recommendations were implemented. Results are sent to the patient s company. If needed, results are also sent to workers compensation, Medical, and RehabWorks.
Industrial Hygiene - Pro-active Consultation services, such as assisting in selecting new office furniture, writing specifications, or evaluating jobs that have a potential for injury, are provided to KSC companies, as needed. Baseline evaluations identify areas of high ergonomic risk. Revised Ergonomic Website will include company specific information.
Rehabilitation Services KSC RehabWorks is a free on-site musculoskeletal rehabilitation service that treats work, non-work, or sports-related injuries and post-surgical cases. Certified/Licensed Athletic Trainers (ATC/L) are board certified experts in orthopaedic and musculoskeletal disciplines. Rehab appointments are made during normal work hours. Employees return to their pre-injury work status quickly, safely, and with minimal time away from work.
Rehabilitation Services Prompt treatment for injuries Reduced lost work days Enhanced case management Maximized long-term recovery through education and prevention Treatment begins to reduce symptoms and recondition the employee for full return to duty Common MSDs include CTS, LBP, tendinitis, epicondylitis, and impingement
Evaluations & Consultations The evaluation identifies causative factors, that may contribute to MSD signs and symptoms. Consultation services allow for referral of employees to Industrial Hygiene and/or to Medical, if they have not already been evaluated by these groups.
Rehabilitation/Reconditioning Work reconditioning activities take place in the KSC Fitness Centers to progress the patient in therapeutic exercise. RehabWorks offers various braces and medical supplies for employees to purchase. Easy access to these items decrease recovery time.
KSC RehabWorks Statistics Year Patients Visits 1998 431 1492 1999 685 2559 2000 750 3196 2001 676 3295 2002 694 2942 2003 689 3164
KSC RehabWorks Statistics Program established 1997 Total Number of Patients Seen = 4,199 Total Number of Patient Visits = 17,219 Total Cost Avoidance = $3,475,208
Educational Outreach Medical, Rehabworks and Industrial Hygiene provide several outreach efforts, including training classes, safety & health fairs, seminars, pamphlets, newsletters and websites. These outreach efforts increase KSC employees knowledge in MSD identification, treatment and prevention.
Team Approach to Case Management RehabWorks meets monthly with Workers Compensation personnel, bi-weekly with KSC Medical and, as needed, with Industrial Hygiene to discuss patient treatment and rehabilitation. KSC Medical, Industrial Hygiene and RehabWorks also are part of the KSC Ergonomic Working Group, which meets monthly.
Without A Team Approach...
Using A Team Approach!
Summary A team approach to addressing MSD treatment is effective because it allows for well-rounded patient care and ensures that implemented controls decrease MSD signs and symptoms and reduce ergonomic risk factors. Even if your worksite does not have an on-site medical facility, ergonomic specialist or rehabilitation facility, an emphasis should be placed on having these three groups coordinate patient care information.
Summary Information on highlighted elements of the KSC program will hopefully provide you with ideas on how to expand your own program to become a best practice! Onsite medical facility which provides treatment and follow-ups Onsite ergonomic specialists perform evaluations & follow-ups Ergonomic equipment & chair loaner program Baseline evaluations to identify high ergonomic risk areas Onsite rehabilitation facility and access to onsite fitness centers Rehabilitation treatment devices sold onsite Outreach (websites, pamphlets, classes, working groups, fairs)
Contacts & Questions Robin Kramer Robin.Kramer@jbosc.ksc.nasa.gov (321) 867-3672 Mary Kirkland KirkMk@kscems.ksc.nasa.gov (321) 867-7497