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West Central Ohio Regional Healthcare
Alliance eNewsletter 12/01/08 |
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TIP OF THE MONTH
Flu shots can reduce health insurance costs and sick
days employees don’t use. Don’t wait for the flu to
knock your workforce down. Call today to schedule
your on site flu shot clinic.
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HOT TOPIC - Blood
Pressure
Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against
the walls of arteries. When a person experiences
high blood pressure (hypertension), the heart is
forced to work harder than normal, causing it to
grow abnormally large, straining arteries and the
heart itself. High blood pressure can also damage
kidneys and other organs as well as lead to
atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) and
stroke.
About one in four adults in the U.S. has high blood
pressure. That’s 50 million people. Another 22%,
or 45 million have ‘pre-high blood pressure.’ This
modest elevation in pressure doubles the risk of
heart attack and stroke but most people are not
aware of the problem.
For more information on Blood Pressure and what you
should know please click the following link to read
the Healthy Living Series article by Lifelong
Health.
Blood Pressure Need2Know.pdf
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WCORHA UPDATE
WCORHA Website
The WCORHA website has a new
and improved look. For more information on our
services and Occupational Health Programs please
visit us at www.wcorha.org.
Employer Survey
Results
Thank you for responding to
our Employer Satisfaction Survey earlier this year,
and congratulations to Dennis Knott, Ottawa Oil, the
winner of the $250 gas card. The results of the
survey indicated the following satisfaction levels
(5=Excellent):
| WCORHA Clinics |
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Average Score: |
| Appointment Availability
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3.8 |
| Patient Waiting Times
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3.9 |
| Staff Professionalism
and Courtesy |
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4.3 |
| Employee Results
Turnaround Time |
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4.4 |
| Facilitating Early
Return To Work |
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4.0 |
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| WCORHA Staff |
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| Range of
Service/Products Offered by WCORHA |
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4.1 |
| Frequency Of
Communication from Staff/Reps |
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3.8 |
| Written Material
provided by WCORHA |
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3.8 |
| Billing Services |
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4.0 |
| Responsiveness to
Inquiries/Requests |
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3.9 |
We plan to work hard to
improve these satisfaction levels!
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WELLNESS UPDATE
Wellness Update WCORHA is
pleased to introduce an enhanced Worksite Wellness
network for our clients, with a new Health Risk
Assessment and other value-added features. For more
information,
visit our website or contact
your Account Executive. |
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OCCUPATIONAL MEDICINE UPDATE
Employers Hold the
Power
Employers have the power to
promote healthy lifestyle choices and even change
human behavior, industry observers say. “Employers
are putting a much higher priority on wellness and
lifestyle improvement programs that promote employee
health, well-being and productivity than ever
before,” observes Helen Darling, president of the
National Business Group on Health. “Employers have
the most important hook - our jobs and our
incomes,” adds Ford Titus, president and CEO of
ProHealth Care, Inc., Waukesha, Wis. “It is in the
workplace that people can be incentivized or
disincentivized to take responsibility for their own
health status. It is in the workplace that insurance
plans can be re-designed to encourage value-based
purchasing.
Read the rest of the story PDF
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OSHA UPDATE
Worksite Injury &
Illness Rate at a Record Low
Workplace safety is on an
increase! Employers need to continue efforts to
develop and sustain a positive safety culture.
The rate of workplace injuries and illnesses in
private industry declined in 2007 for the fifth
consecutive year, the Labor Departments Bureau of
Labor Statistics reported this month.
In 2007 there were approximately 4 million injuries
and illnesses recorded. This is a rate of 4.2 cases
per 100 full-time employees, less than last years
rate of 4.4.
OSHA attributes this to their
balanced approach to workplace safety that includes
training, inspection, and aggressive regulation
enforcement.
Maria Bayless, PHR, OS
OSHA Outreach Trainer
WCORHA Safety Trainer
Direct Observation Requirement for DOT
Return-to-duty and Follow-up tests Temporarily
Delayed
The U.S. Court of Appeal for the D.C. Circuit has
temporarily delayed the November 1st Direct
Observation (DO) requirement for DOT return-to-duty
and follow-up tests. This is an ‘administrative
stay’ until the Court completes its review on the
matter. Therefore, DOT for return-to-duty and
follow-up testing will continue to be an employer
option, rather than mandatory. We will let you know
when the Court makes a decision on the matter.
Reference: Jim L. Swart, Director Office of Drug and
Alcohol Policy and Compliance, U.S. Department of
Transportation
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SHARP RECOGNITION
SHARP
Recognition The Safety and Health Achievement
Recognition Program (SHARP) recognizes small
employers who operate in an exemplary safety and
health management system. Acceptance into SHARP by
OSHA is an achievement of status that will single
you out among your business peers as a model for
worksite safety and health. Upon receiving SHARP
recognition, your worksite will be exempt from
programmed inspections during the period that your
SHARP certification is valid. For additional
information about SHARP certification, visit
www.osha.gov/dcsp/smallbusiness/sharp.html
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