Healing the Healers: An Innovative Model for Managing Healthcare Worker Injuries

Healthcare workers dedicate their lives to caring for others, yet they face some of the highest rates of workplace injuries in any industry. Sprains, strains, and inflammation not only lead to absenteeism, short staffing, and career interruptions but also impose significant financial burdens on both employees and employers. Addressing these challenges requires a proactive, comprehensive approach—one that goes beyond traditional workers’ compensation models.

This session explores an innovative, twofold program developed by a large healthcare system outside Philadelphia that is redefining how employee injuries are managed. With over 13,000 employees across multiple hospitals and care settings, this system has successfully integrated experienced nurse case managers into its workers’ compensation department. These case managers serve as advocates for injured employees, ensuring timely care and smooth return-to-work transitions. Simultaneously, the program prioritizes injury prevention through a robust employee safety initiative designed to mitigate risks before they occur.

Attendees will gain insight into how this unique model leverages intimate knowledge of the healthcare work environment to drive cost containment, enhance employee advocacy, and implement safety improvements. By examining real-world results and best practices, case managers will leave equipped with actionable strategies to strengthen workers’ compensation programs within their own organizations—ultimately fostering safer workplaces and healthier employees.