UAB Synopsis, Vol. 25, No. 8, April 10, 2006
University Hospital treated 1,613 workers’ compensation patients in 2005 and 1,547 in 2004. Last summer, Barbara Key, RN, BSN, UAB Health System’s Physician Services Department, began coordinating Health System efforts to better manage these cases.
Charged with streamlining the process, Key focuses on staff education, communications among the Health System and employers, billing, medical records, and postaccident drug screening. “With worker’s comp cases, UAB aims to promptly diagnose a patient’s problem and institute appropriate treatment and rehabilitation to get people back to work,” Key says.
“Identifying worker’s comp cases early is vital; all patients with injuries are now asked if their injuries are work related,” Key says. Early identification facilitates HIPAA-compliant release of patient records, proper coordination of care, and accurate billing.
ED Drug Screening
In January, UAB established a protocol with Employers Drug Program Management (EDPM) to provide postaccident drug testing for worker’s compensation patients. Designed to meet local employers’ needs to maintain a drug-free workplace, the program features educational materials that help UAB staff and industry leaders navigate worker’s comp, as well as feedback surveys that track UAB’s progress.
“Even if drug tests are positive, industry must cover an employee’s acute-care medical bills,” Key says.
Focus on Medical Needs
Following an injury, an EDPM representative arrives at the Emergency Department, presents credentials to gain access to the patient, and performs drug analysis. EDPM staff report, document, and investigate test results and also handle billing for drug testing. Because EDPM is responsible for the chain of custody, UAB caregivers are free to focus on patients’ medical needs.
“ED nurses have been very receptive to this system, and employers respond positively to a third-party vendor handling testing,” Key says. “It takes UAB completely out of the drug screening process.”
What’s Next?
Key comments on current goals: “I want to ensure the drug screening process is operating smoothly. I’m also working with each pertinent UAB clinic to further educate physicians and staff about worker’s comp. I would like to develop and establish a program throughout the Health System that effectively identifies and efficiently handles worker’s comp patients so that we become the provider of choice for this population.”
For more information, contact Barbara Key at 975-COMP or bgkey@uabmc.edu.