A quality-based protocol for management of musculoskeletal injuries. A ten-year prospective outcome study.

Musculoskeletal injuries in the workplace are recognized as a major health and economic problem; however, little has been done to develop strategies that emphasize both quality and cost control. The purpose of this ten-year perspective investigation was to evaluate the use of quality-based standardized diagnostic and treatment protocols as part of an unbiased injury surveillance system. The program was evaluated in a public utility company with more than 5300 employees, and resulted in a measurable and long-term improvement in all outcome parameters measured: (1) The number of days lost from work and the number of new injuries reported fell by 55 and 51%, respectively. (2) The average time lost per injury dropped by 40%. (3) The number of surgeries performed decreased by 67%, and the operative success rate increased dramatically. (4) Finally, as an added benefit, there was a 60% reduction in expenditures for lost time and replacement wages, resulting in a cumulative ten-year savings of more than 4.1 million dollars. The program accomplished the goal of ensuring quality care in a prospective concurrent fashion. As an additional benefit, the program also reduced unjustified lost time and compensation costs through early functional return, efficient use of diagnostic studies, and avoidance of surgery whenever possible. Future emphasis on health-care delivery in the workers' compensation setting should concentrate on high-quality medical care, which will, in turn, lead to secondary cost savings.