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Patient Safety Programs Pay Off for Healthcare Workers
Posey says the stability in workers' compensation loss rates is linked to the decrease in claims frequency, which has experienced a steady decline over the past decade.
In addition to patient safety programs, Posey says the decrease in workers compensation claims frequency could be credited to new technologies, including beds and patient lifting devices.
In addition, low nursing staff turnover in a weak economy has meant the retention of more experienced and competent staff. "So the recession in the economy has had an impact. The average experience and competency has risen, so we are seeing that as a driver for claims frequency decreasing," Posey says.
The biggest source for healthcare sector workers compensation claims revolves around patient handling.
"Workers compensation is in every industry but because of the unique exposure of healthcare workers you don't have other environments with patient handling," Posey says.
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Comments are moderated. Please be patient.
Ken Goff (12/21/2012 at 11:16 AM)
I think this is backwards. Healthcare has placed emphasis on patient safety since 2001 with little change. Some facilities are now placing emphasis on Employee Safety and I believe this translates to safer patient care. If you don't comply with the rules and policies that keep yourself safe you are most likely not complying with the rules and policies that keep patients safe.