Gaylord's Industrial Rehabilitation Program helps injured workers return to work safely and effectively by providing a continuum of services from prevention through comprehensive treatment and education. Partnering with industries across the state, the Industrial Rehabilitation Program offers a comprehensive line of services that prevents work-related injuries and reduces workers' compensation costs.

From the day of injury, return-to-work specialists focus on healing, symptom control and preparation for work re-entry. A case management system ensures close communication among payers, employees and employers.

A rehabilitation physician prescribes and monitors treatment, determines return-to-work status and supervises follow-up care. Physical therapists promote strength, endurance and flexibility. Occupational therapists use work simulation activities to maximize work capacity. Vocational counselors assess career goals, while recreational therapists develop modified techniques for good body mechanics during sports and leisure activities. Medical nutritional counselors provide education to promote nutrition and weight control; psychological counseling helps clients deal with the issues of stress, pain management and fear of reinjury.

It's All in the Outcomes

Recognized across the state for the treatment of musculoskeletal impairments such as strain, back injuries and carpal tunnel syndrome, Gaylord features outcome-based rehabilitation plans that result in a 93 percent release-for-work rate.

For a successful reentry to work, Gaylord recommends a combination of:

• work conditioning - which begins to prepare a client for a return to work - and
• work hardening
• work simulation
• education
• supportive interventions

A functional capacity evaluation helps define an injured worker's ability to work in general or to perform a specific job. An eight-week session of Work Hardening Plus helps an employee learn how to manage pain in addition to the other module activities. A work tolerance screening is performed to help define an employee's ability to perform the demands of work over a period of time. The evaluation and treatment plan examines the physical, functional, vocational and nutritional barriers to work reentry while helping determine the prognosis for work reentry.

On the Job

To better assist employers, Gaylord's industrial specialists visit work sites to assess and recommend ergonomic changes or accommodations. They also may provide a functional job analysis to offer a performance-based evaluation of the physical demands of work required by a job - providing physical parameters for medical core and safe return-to-work guidelines in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Back and hand schools conducted by Gaylord therapists also offer business and industry presentations on how the back or hand works and how they are injured.

Program Highlights

• The FIT (Functional Independence Training) Program is for people who have been injured at work, out of work for more than six months, and who are not actively participating in gainful employment. The program meets the needs of the State of Connecticut workers' compensation commission, insurance carriers, physicians and the injured worker.
  
  
• Back and Hand School industrial specialists visit workplace sites to educate employers and employees about injury and prevention.
  
  
• Gaylord offers ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) consultations to help remove barriers for employment for people with disabilities.
  
  
• Referring physicians are informed of their patients' progress.