WO1997041775A1

WO1997041775A1 - Method for evaluating, reducing and managing injuries

Info

Publication number: WO1997041775A1
Application number: PCT/US1997/007812
Authority: WO
Inventors: Donald R. Mcintyre
Original assignee: Interlogics, Inc.
Priority date: 1996-05-07
Filing date: 1997-05-07
Publication date: 1997-11-13
Also published as: AU2832197A

Abstract

This invention is a method for determining a task specific protocol for determining the functional ability of an individual to engage in a predetermined characteristic required for the performance of a selected task; and identifying a particular job with increased risk of job related injury, thereby, identifying a hazardous task required by that job by using a portable measuring device (10) to measure a predetermined characteristic of the hazardous task during performance of the job by an individual in the work place. The measurement is then analyzed at a central processing facility by a professional to identify a hazardous task. A task specific protocol can then be generated and used to screen individuals based on functional ability to perform the hazardous task. The portable measuring device can also be used to generate baseline data by measuring a predetermined characteristic of isolated movement associated with a standardized protocol of a healthy individual. Thus, the functional status, rehabilitation and recovery progress of an injured individual can be assessed by a comparison to the baseline data.

Description

Description METHOD FOR EVALUATING, REDUCING AND MANAGING INJURIES

Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to a method for reducing and managing injuries. More particularly, the present invention relates to a novel method for reducing and managing injuries, particularly incidents of job-related injury in a workplace, and effectively managing injured individuals by linking industrial and clinical aspects.

Background Art Injuries in the workplace in terms of both workers compensation and medical costs have been and are spiraling out of control. Back-related injuries alone are estimated to produce an annual cost of over one hundred billion dollars by the year 2000. Reducing health care costs, including finding low-cost alternatives to expensive existing methods and technologies, is therefore a major goal in the United States. Health care management is one approach which can be utilized in an effort to reduce health care costs, however, the rising costs of health care management has prompted industry risk managers and clinicians to seek proactive solutions. These solutions include injury prevention programs and cost contained injury management. Amidst attempts to implement proactive solutions to health care management, a gulf has remained between the unique provinces of industry and the health care clinic. While industry might try to implement injury prevention programs in the workplace, there has traditionally been little information available about what is safe in an industrial environment. For example, job analyses that aimed at making the workplace safer have for the most part been unable to determine the physical stresses imposed upon workers due to repetitive movements or extreme postures. Similarly, a clinician's ability to objectively determine the cause of a worker's injury has proceeded with little or no understanding of the conditions in the workplace or of the functional demands placed upon the workers. This has further impaired the clinician's ability to determine functional deficits or even the efficacy of rehabilitation programs.

It is common for a worker injured at a work site to visit a health care professional at a clinic for diagnosis and treatment pertaining to an injury suffered. Upon receiving such diagnosis and treatment, the rehabilitation period begins and typically involves the worker repeatedly returning to the clinic for status evaluation regarding his or her recovery and for any further diagnosis and treatment. Once a conclusion by the health care professional is reached that the worker has recovered from the injury, the worker returns to the work site to resume his or her daily job tasks.

During all of these events, the diagnosis and treatment typically involves no objective measurements of the functional requirements for performing the musculoskeletal movements which the worker engages in on a day-to-day basis at the work site, and perhaps which caused the injury. As such, the pronouncement by the health care professional that the worker has recovered from the injury does not entail an analysis and evaluation of the functional ability of the worker to perform the musculoskeletal movements required at the work site or a comparison of the workers post-injury functional ability to perform that required musculoskeletal movement with the objective, predetermined functional requirements of that musculoskeletal movement. The clinical evaluation is therefore essentially independent of any analysis of the musculoskeletal movements required to be performed at the work site.

Various devices exist to measure functional aspects required during performance of one or more musculoskeletal movements. An example of one such device is disclosed in U.S. Design Patent No. 304,964 providing design protection to an apparatus manufactured by Isotechnologies, Corp. of Hillsborough, North Carolina and marketed under the name "ISOSTATION B-200" which is designed for testing lower back movement of an individual and can simultaneously - 4 - measure range of motion, torque and velocity in three (3) planes of movement, rotation, lateral flexion, and flexion/extension. The ISOSTATION B-200, however, is an expensive and massive apparatus requiring that an individual to be tested by it travel to the apparatus, usually located in a clinic, rather than bringing the apparatus to an individual for testing. Additionally, the

ISOSTATION B-200 cannot be used to measure the ability of an individual to perform a specific task required by a job.

Despite the existing health care management programs and the devices that exist for measuring musculoskeletal movement, substantial room for improvement exists in the art for a system which can be used to contain health care costs by promoting injury prevention and management as well as post-injury evaluation and management. Applicant has developed such a novel system with aspects that can be deployed on the job site and at the clinician's office.

Summary and Objects of the Invention In accordance with this invention, data regarding incidence, nature and severity of job-related injuries can be gathered and analyzed to identify jobs having a high or increased risk of injury associated therewith. Data regarding jobs identified with a high or increased risk of injury associated therewith can be gathered and analyzed to identify characteristics of jobs having high or increased risks of injury. This analysis can also be used to identify specific job tasks likely to cause injury and to flag workplace hazards as well as unsafe worker behavior. This analysis further provides a detailed job description and identifies at least one particular job having an increased risk of job-related injury associated therewith.

Data regarding the specific tasks identified can then be gathered and analyzed to precisely define potentially injurious task characteristics by utilizing a portable device for measuring one or more predetermined characteristics of the tasks. A task-specific protocol can be generated using the information thus obtained, and the task-specific protocol can be used to screen individual workers. This screening comprises gathering data during the screening process and analyzing the data to determine whether a given individual worker has the functional ability to engage in the one or more predetermined characteristics sufficient for performance of the selected task.

Data regarding ergonomics intervention can be collected and analyzed whereby workplace re-engineering services can be provided in an effort to reduce risks of injury by ergonomic intervention. Data regarding specific job tasks can also be gathered and analyzed to provide a recommended training program in which individual workers can engage in an effort to reduce risks of job-related injuries.

After the data regarding incidence, nature and severity of job-related injuries has been gathered, baseline data for an individual can be generated identifying the functional status of the individual regarding movements associated with a standard protocol. This can be accomplished by using a portable measuring device in accordance with this invention for measuring one or more predetermined characteristics of one or more movements associated with a standardized protocol. A restraint system can be utilized to isolate the movements. Once an individual has been injured, objective measurements regarding the injured individual can be gathered using a portable measuring device according to this invention to measure one or more predetermined characteristics of one or more movements associated with the standardized protocol. These measurements can be analyzed to identify the functional status of the injured individual with respect to the movements of the standardized protocol utilized. This functional status can be compared to the previously determined functional status resulting from analysis of the baseline data to determine any functional loss of ability of the injured individual regarding movements associated the standardized protocol utilized.

At desired points during the recovery process of the injured individual, data regarding rehabilitation effectiveness can be gathered by again utilizing a portable measuring device in accordance with this invention and a restraint system. This data can then be analyzed to determine the effectiveness or lack of effectiveness of any rehabilitation efforts concerning the injured individual. Data regarding return-to-work readiness of the injured individual can be gathered by again utilizing a portable measuring device in accordance with this invention but by measuring one or more predetermined characteristics associated with a specific task to which the injured individual would return at work during performance of the task by the injured individual. This data can be analyzed to determine whether the injured individual is ready to return to work to perform the specific task.

The present invention strategically utilizes computer means and provides a method for gathering data at a workplace and a clinic whereby the data can be transferred to a central processing facility for evaluation and analysis by select professionals.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a novel system for health care cost containment promoting injury prevention and management as well as post-injury evaluation and management which provides an industrial and clinical link allowing injuries, particularly job-related injuries, to be evaluated with specific regard to one or more tasks associated with the injuries. It is another object of the present invention to provide a method for evaluating the extent of functional ability or disability of an individual to engage in a 9 U 7 12

-8- predetermined characteristic of a selected task required by a job.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide such a method wherein relevant data can be easily and quickly gathered from an individual unintrusively at a workplace without requiring the individual to travel to a health care clinic.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method for evaluating functional aspects regarding one or more selected job tasks wherein the method alleviates the need for involvement of a high number of professionals by allowing data gathered at a workplace to be easily transferred to and analyzed by a small number of select professionals that can be located at a central processing facility.

It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a method for objectively and realistically evaluating an injured individual regarding performance of selected movements and his or her ability or inability to perform the selected movements.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a method for measuring recovery and recognizing rehabilitation of an injured individual.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a method for determining a task-specific protocol which can be utilized to screen prospective job performers regarding ability to perform one or more selected job tasks. It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a method for ergonomic intervention and training in an effort to reduce injuries, particularly job-related injuries. Some of the objects of the invention having been stated hereinabove, other objects will become evident as the description proceeds, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawing as best described hereinbelow.

Brief Description of the Drawing Figure 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a device utilized in accordance with the present invention.

Detailed Description According to the present invention, a system or method for health care cost containment is provided which promotes injury prevention and management while providing an industrial and clinical link. Job-related functional requirements and injuries can be evaluated while specifically utilizing data regarding one or more job tasks associated with the injuries and/or one or more movements associated with a standardized protocol. The method of this invention can be utilized for determining a task-specific protocol which can be used to screen individuals as to their ability or disability to perform a selected task required by a job. Using a standardized protocol, baseline data can be generated for an individual, and injury data can be generated for an injured individual. An analysis and comparison of the baseline data and the injury data can be made to determine or assess treatment efficacy and any functional loss of ability of an individual regarding predetermined movements associated with a standardized protocol.

The present invention advantageously links the arenas of the workplace and the health care clinic as the method of the invention provides a data gathering system which can be used substantially interchangeably in the workplace and the health care clinic through the use of portable devices for measuring predetermined aspects of selected movements. Data regarding the functional requirements of one or more selected movements as well as the functional status of a worker can be gathered unintrusively at the workplace. In the event of an injury, rehabilitation efforts can be evaluated and a determination can be made as to whether an injured worker is ready to return to work. This determination can now be made with a clear understanding of the job requirements and the worker's pre-injury and post-injury functional statuses.

Furthermore, should a worker become disabled, a realistic disability rating can objectively be assigned, and where necessary, alternative work can be assigned.

The methodology of this invention can be utilized by both industry and health care providers. The data gathered at a workplace in accordance with this invention is preferably gathered by trained technicians. In an effort to provide a cost containment program pertaining to health care evaluation and management as described herein, data gathered by the trained technicians can be transferred to a central processing facility at which a small number of select professionals can be made available in order to analyze data collected by the technicians, issue reports, and provide expert intervention and treatment guidance. This system is cost-effective in that it leverages professional input, insures consistency in protocols, insures the accuracy and speed of interpretation of data, facilitates coordination of several cost containment activities, and can centrally archive data. Aggregate data collected at the central processing facility for hundreds and perhaps thousands of individuals can serve as a valuable database for comparative and analytical purposes described herein.

The method of the present invention will now be described in detail with regard first to pre-injury method steps, and second, to post-injury method steps.

PRE-INJURY APPLICATION The method of the present invention is preferably initiated in the workplace by evaluating jobs and job tasks as to their safety as well as potential risk of injury. This step is preferably initiated by utilizing a computer and Injury/Incidence Data Collection software, commercially available from interLogics, Inc. in Hillsborough, North Carolina (hereinafter referred to as "InterLogics"), to gather data at a workplace regarding the incidence, nature and severity of job-related injuries. In accordance with this invention, the computer utilized for this as well as subsequently described method steps is preferably at least a 486/DX level computer. Workplace injury records such as OSHA 200 logs from the workplace are specifically collected, and medical records can also be collected at the workplace. These records can be entered into a computer at the workplace or any other location by any conventional means of data entry such as manual inputting or scanning using the Injury/Incidence Data Collection software, commercially available from InterLogics. The data gathered can be transferred to a central processing facility where it can be analyzed by select professionals using Injury/Incidence Analysis software, commercially available from InterLogics, to identify jobs with a high or increased risk of injury and other identifiable trends among injured workers. The transfer of data can be by any conventional means such as electronic transfer or physical transfer of the data.

Task-Specific Screening Once jobs with a high risk of injury have been identified, data regarding such jobs can be collected at the workplace utilizing Job Data Collection software commercially available from InterLogics. While analyzing job data traditionally has been accomplished by manual methods, the job data gathered in accordance with this invention can be transferred, such as by conventional means, to a central processing facility where it can be analyzed by select professionals using Job Analysis software, commercially available from InterLogics, which provides a computerized "time and motion" and workplace hazard study process. This process identifies characteristics of jobs having an increased risk of injury associated therewith, identifies specific job tasks that are likely to cause injury and flags workplace hazards which increase the risk of injury and unsafe worker behavior. This process also provides detailed job descriptions of the jobs analyzed. The job data can include, for example, the following:

Posture data, including sustained postures, improper sitting positions and orientation information for ankles, hips, lower back, shoulders, wrists, neck and elbow in positions including flexion, extension, pure rotation, medial rotation, lateral rotation, abduction, adduction, supination, pronation, inversion, eversion, hyperextension, lateral bending, elevation, internal rotation, external rotation, sitting and standing

Lifting hazards data Pushing/pulling hazards data

Repetition hazards data, including constant work cycles, lack of stretching and heavy duty cycles - Vibration hazards data, including exposure, lower lumbar jolts and body vibration Fatigue hazards data, including abnormal speech patterns flagging and worker behavior changes such as, for example, looking for resting places and rubbing body parts used in performing a task Environmental hazards data, including flagging for hot or cold extremes, wetness, slippery conditions, sharp edges, noise, and obstructions

Tool/equipment hazard data pertaining to tools and/or equipment utilized during performance of a task

Desk job hazards data, including ergonomic risks for workstations, excessive reaching for tools and/or equipment, VDT height and distance violations, excessive low or high positions of chairs, and cluttering of desk top work spaces Time summary data for Dictionary of Occupational Titles jobs performed

Time summary data for lifting, carrying, placing, pushing/pulling, vibrations, precision work, desk work, locomotion (walking) and rest Correlation data of perceived pain versus actual joint stresses observed, including Gennaidy

Joint Stress Tables, Nordic Questionnaire and extreme posture flags during observation

Data regarding the tasks identified can then be gathered and analyzed to precisely define hazardous or potentially injurious task characteristics. Gathering of task data is preferably accomplished by utilizing Task

Data Collection software, commercially available from

InterLogics, and by measuring, preferably at the workplace, one or more predetermined characteristics of one or more tasks required by each identified job using a portable measuring device comprising means for measuring the predetermined characteristics. An example of one such device which can be used in this manner is the B-TRACKER™ device, commercially available from InterLogics, which can be used to measure various aspects of back movement, as discussed further hereinbelow. This measurement data can then be transferred to a central processing facility for analysis by select professionals utilizing Task Analysis software, commercially available from InterLogics, to precisely define characteristics of the previously identified tasks, which characteristics have an increased risk of injury associated therewith. Each hazardous task characteristic identified in accordance with this invention requires that an individual engage in or perform a predetermined characteristic for successful performance of the hazardous task characteristic. This predetermined characteristic can comprise practically any measurable aspect relating to the individual performing or attempting to perform the hazardous task characteristic, such as prolonged and awkward postures and repetitive movements, and is thus particularly suitable for an aspect relating to musculoskeletal movement and/or anatomical conditions pertaining thereto. Displacement, torque, force, velocity and acceleration related to a selected musculoskeletal movement in one or more planes of movement are particularly suitable for the predetermined characteristic, although it can be appreciated that other aspects regarding an individual performing the hazardous task characteristic could also be suitable for the predetermined characteristic. Whatever aspects are used to define the predetermined characteristic, the portable measuring device is designed for objectively measuring the predetermined characteristic.

It is common for an identified hazardous task characteristic to involve musculoskeletal movement of a worker's back. In this case, the predetermined characteristic can comprise one or more aspects of the musculoskeletal movement. These can be angular displacements, angular velocities and angular accelerations of back movement, particularly lower back movement, in the three (3) planes or axes of movement of the back, which are rotation, lateral flexion, and flexion/extension.

Figure 1 of the drawings illustrates portable measuring device 10 which is a device capable of measuring back movement in this manner and which is preferably utilized according to the method of this invention when the selected job task involves back movement. Device 10 is preferably the B-TRACKER™ device manufactured by InterLogics for use with the present inventive method described herein. Device 10 can easily be worn on the back of an individual so as not to impede performance of typical work tasks as shown in Figure 1 where a shoulder harness 12 and waist belt 14 to which device 10 is attached are worn by the individual. Measurements made of musculoskeletal movement by device 10 can be entered into a computer wherein the data can enter a computer algorithm that is used to filter all movement data. This filtering is critical to accurately monitor the actual selected musculoskeletal movement.

Typical of a device which can be utilized in accordance with the method of this invention to measure one or more selected musculoskeletal movements, device 10 utilizes motion detection hardware including potentiometers to generate simultaneous measurement signals. The motion detection device monitors three (3) dimensional orientation of a vertical structure by measuring movement of a vertical structure 16 maintained in position substantially parallel to the individual's spine and which is movable simultaneously in three (3) dimensions. Vertical structure 16 advantageously incorporates only one (1) fixed rotation axis for movement about the flexion/extension axis thereby allowing the lateral flexion and rotation axes to move relative to each other and to the fixed flexion/extension axis. In short, device 10 allows the lateral flexion potentiometer to move with the plane of flexion, whereby lateral bending can be measured in this rotated plane.

A separate but electrically connected belt-loop computer data collection unit 18 can be used with device 10. The data collection unit may be a Scout™ device manufactured by InterLogics. Unit 18 can collect the data as it is measured and store it in a PCMCIA RAM card for subsequent downloading to a computer such as a PC where the aforementioned computer algorithm can be applied to the data. The RAM card can preferably hold up to two (2) megabytes of measurement data allowing for up to eleven (11) hours of cumulative workplace data collection. The RAM card understandably allows for data gathered to be transferred out of the workplace as desired such as by actual transfer of the RAM card or even electronic transfer of the contents thereof. It is also envisioned in accordance with this invention that unit 18 can be connected directly to an on-site computer to alleviate the need for storage of the data on a RAM card and wherein the data can be passed through the aforementioned computer algorithm as such data is collected. If desired, however, unit 18 can be directly connected to a computer to store the data as it is collected and the data can be subsequently transferred to a central processing facility where the computer algorithm can then first be applied.

Device 10 is extremely light weighing less than two

(2) pounds. Once secured to an individual for testing, device 10 can make objective measurements as described of the individual's back movements made during performance by the individual of the one or more selected musculoskeletal movements. This invention contemplates that devices other than the B-TRACKER™ can be used for gathering data in the manner taught herein regarding musculoskeletal movement, especially movement other than back movement. Such devices can be used for the neck and wrist and the like in addition to the back.

Once data regarding one or more predetermined characteristics has been gathered and sent to the central processing facility, a task-specific protocol that can be used to test job candidates can be computer generated utilizing Task Screening Protocol Generation software commercially available from InterLogics. Candidates can then be screened "post-offer and pre-placement" using the task-specific protocol to determine whether or not the candidates are capable of performing the hazardous characteristics required for performance of the task.

Screening a job candidate preferably occurs at a workplace and can be easily accomplished by utilizing Task Screening software, commercially available from InterLogics, and a portable measuring device, such as device 10, according to this invention to gather protocol data by measuring one or more predetermined characteristics required by the selected task during performance by the job candidate of the selected task. The portable measuring device is preferably connected directly to a computer containing the computer algorithm to filter the protocol data as it is collected. The protocol data can then be sent to the central processing facility for analysis utilizing Task Screening Analysis software, commercially available from InterLogics, to determine whether the job candidate has the functional ability to engage in the predetermined characteristics sufficient for performance of the selected task.

Utilizing the screening process according to this invention, a given functional status of an individual can be compared to previously or even subsequently established functional statuses for that individual regarding a selected task and can be compared with the functional requirements for the task which can be established by the task-specific protocol. When the functional status of the job candidate is lower than the functional requirements, the job candidate lacks the functional ability to perform the selected task, and a probability of future injury during performance by the job candidate can be generated utilizing prospective study results. This comparison will also indicate those job candidates who are least likely to become injured where the comparison shows that the functional ability of a particular job candidate is far above the functional requirements necessary to perform the selected task. Screening can therefore be conducted for healthy individuals as well as injured individuals. This screening process, which is based on the actual demands of a particular job, complies with the "Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990". After such screening has occurred, the screening results can be utilized to assign modified work or job tasks to an individual which he or she is capable of performing and to assign a conditioning program to the individual. There is a growing awareness throughout industry of the advantages of improving ergonomics in the workplace, and OSHA has already taken an active interest in this area proposing regulations that would require employers to monitor their employees for the presence of ergonomic related problems. Data regarding ergonomic intervention can be gathered at the workplace utilizing Ergonomics Intervention Data Collection software, commercially available from InterLogics, and measurements provided from a portable measuring device, such as device 10, according to this invention. The measurements can be provided by steps identical to those utilized for the measurements used for task data collection.

Once gathered, the measurements can be transferred by conventional means to the central processing facility for analysis by ergonomists utilizing Ergonomics Intervention Analysis software, commercially available from InterLogics. Cost effectiveness is promoted by replacing "professional" time with "technician" time while still insuring consistency and protocols in data interpretation. The analysis of the data by ergonomists is made in an effort to make injurious tasks less likely to cause injury by making them more ergonomically correct. Analysis of the ergonomic data therefore enables the ergonomists to offer workplace re-engineering services to reduce risks of injury.

Training Program Data Collection software, commercially available from InterLogics, and a portable measuring device according to this invention can be utilized to collect training program data. The measurements can be obtained by steps identical to those utilized for the measurements used for task data collection. This training data can be transferred to a central processing facility for analysis utilizing

Training Program Analysis software, commercially available from InterLogics, to identify at least one training program which can be implemented in an effort to reduce risks of job-related injury. Risks of injury can therefore be reduced by ergonomic intervention and training program implementation, for example, by correcting hazardous lifting techniques, encouraging other productive non-injurious workplace behaviors, and teaching workers how to recognize and respond to potentially hazardous situations.

After ergonomic intervention and/or a training program has been implemented and given a chance to have an effect, data regarding one or more of the tasks previously identified as hazardous can, as before, be gathered utilizing the Task Data Collection software and a portable measuring device in accordance with this invention. This data can again be transferred to a central processing facility and analyzed using the Task Analysis software whereby the results can be compared to the previously determined results to identify whether the ergonomic intervention and/or training program has reduced the risks of job-related injury. Baseline Testing

Once injury incidence and severity data has been collected and analyzed and the populations at risk of injury have been identified, and regardless of whether task-specific screening has occurred, baseline testing can be conducted by generating baseline data for one or more members of the population identified as being at risk.

This can be accomplished by using a portable measuring device, such as device 10, according to this invention and Baseline Testing software, commercially available from InterLogics, to measure one or more predetermined characteristics of movements associated with a standardized or generic protocol. Examples of such standardized protocols include: flexibility tests for the axes of flexion/extension, lateral flexion and rotation; dynamic tests about the axes of flexion/extension; lateral flexion and rotation; trunk circumduction in both directions; and simulated lifting tests with and without instructions. Preferably, this measurement data is collected from a non-injured, healthy individual during implementation of the standardized protocol. The measurement data can be gathered either at a workplace or at a clinic, but is preferably gathered at a workplace. Since a restraint system, discussed further hereinbelow, is utilized during collection of the baseline data, the portable measuring device is preferably connected directly to a computer, such as a laptop computer, alleviating the need for use of a RAM card. The computer monitor display ensures protocol compliance and provides the subject with performance biofeedback. The portable measuring device is directly connected to a computer, and the measurement data passed through the computer algorithm discussed above. The calibrated data can then be transferred for analysis to a central processing facility.

A restraint system is preferably simultaneously used during baseline testing during collection of the measurement data for isolating the predetermined characteristics during performance of the standardized protocol. The restraint system utilized is preferably portable and universal such that it is adaptable for use to assist in measuring a variety of predetermined characteristics of movement which may be required for performance of a standardized protocol. Use of the restraint system is particularly suitable when the predetermined characteristic of movement involves musculoskeletal movement, where the restraint system can comprise any conventional structure or method for partially or totally isolating the musculoskeletal movement or movements of concern. The measurement data is transferred by conventional means to the central processing facility for analysis by professionals utilizing Baseline Analysis software, commercially available from InterLogics, to generate baseline data which identifies the normative or baseline functional requirements for performance of the standardized protocol. This baseline data reflects the objective, functional status of the individual regarding the standardized protocol at a healthy, non-injured time.

As discussed further below, if a worker from which data is gathered later becomes injured and subsequently enters the medical arena, the baseline data utilized in accordance with the method of this invention can be used to determine the precise nature and extent of changes in the functional status of the worker regarding a standardized protocol. The baseline data can also be used for determining when a worker has recovered back to his or her pre-injury functional status regarding a standardized protocol. If the status has not or cannot be achieved, the baseline data can be instrumental in determining the exact extent of the injured individual's disability or impairment. The baseline data can be used in the diagnosis and therapy in an effort to avoid serious and debilitating problems associated with the injury, and can also be used to evaluate the effectiveness of different treatment programs. As can be understood, the baseline data further provides workers with a powerful disincentive against filing fraudulent workers compensation and disability claims.

POST-INJURY APPLICATION When an individual worker sustains an injury, the method of this invention can be used to evaluate loss of functional ability of the worker. Utilizing the method of this invention, an injured worker is tested as to his or her functional status regarding one or more predetermined characteristics of movements associated with a standardized protocol. Although this testing can occur at a workplace, it is preferred that testing of the injured worker occur at a clinic since a hands-on evaluation of the injured worker can be made by health care professionals in addition to testing utilizing a device according to the method of this invention. Objective measurements are made at a clinic of the injured worker with a portable measuring device, such as device 10, and while utilizing a restraint system as discussed above. Such measurements are preferably made and collected just as the measurements for the baseline data were made and collected at the workplace and utilizing Injury Data Collection software, commercially available from InterLogics. This enables the health care professionals to diagnose, treat, and make decisions regarding an injured worker with the assistance of objective data.

The measurements of the injured worker can, as with the measurements used for the baseline data, be transferred to a central processing facility where professionals can analyze them utilizing Injury Analysis software, commercially available from InterLogics, to generate injury data which identifies the functional status of the injured worker with respect to the standard protocol. This can be used to compare the injured worker to healthy individuals and even specific populations, such as low back pain populations. This functional status can also be compared to the previously determined functional status regarding the particular worker and the standardized protocol to determine if the worker has suffered any functional loss of ability to perform or engage in the standardized protocol. If, as suspected with an injured worker, a functional loss is determined to exist, the comparison according to the method of this invention also indicates the extent of such functional loss of ability. Subsequent testing of the injured worker can be performed to determine the effectiveness of therapy by tracking the recovery process. This can be conducted in a clinic and accomplished by utilizing Rehabilitation Effectiveness Data Collection software, commercially available from InterLogics, and using a portable measuring device, such as device 10, in conjunction with a restraint system just as the measurements for the baseline data were collected. These measurements can likewise be transferred to a central processing facility and then analyzed using Rehabilitation Effectiveness Analysis software, commercially available from InterLogics, to generate rehabilitation data identifying the effectiveness of rehabilitation efforts. The rehabilitation data can likewise objectively determine the point at which the worker has fully recovered to his or her pre-injury functional status regarding the standardized protocol.

Once an injured worker has been determined to have regained his or her functional ability with respect to a standardized protocol, the injured worker suspected to -28- have recovered can be screened as to his or her functional ability to perform the specific task to which the injured worker would return to work to perform. This can easily be accomplished by using Return-To-Work Readiness Data Collection software, commercially available from InterLogics, and a portable measuring device, such as device 10, in accordance with the steps described above used for task screening. This data can, as with task screening, be transferred to a central processing facility and analyzed by using Return-To-Work Readiness software, commercially available from InterLogics, to determine whether the injured worker has the functional ability to perform the specific task and any extent thereof . If the injured worker is found to be functionally unable to perform the specific task, the analyzed data can be used to assign different, suitable job tasks to the injured worker.

In an effort to return injured workers to the workplace as soon as possible, separate programs can be implemented for managing acute injuries and chronic injuries utilizing Patient Management software commercially available from InterLogics. An objective of a .program implemented for managing acute injuries is to begin the appropriate treatment regimens as early as possible in an effort to prevent any injuries from becoming chronic. A preferred program for managing acute injuries contains costs by selecting appropriate treatment protocols, maintaining periodic contact with the injured worker, accurately tracking recovery progress, and objectively documenting the worker's return to pre-injury status. An objective of a program for managing chronic injuries understandably is to return the worker to the workplace as soon as possible since statistics have shown that the longer an injured individual is away from the job, the less likely it is that he or she will ever return.

It is therefore seen that the present invention provides a novel system for health care cost containment promoting injury prevention and management as well as post-injury evaluation and management and which provides an industrial and clinical link allowing job-related injuries to be evaluated with specific regard to one or more tasks associated with the injuries and/or a standardized protocol. The causes of job-related injuries and populations at a workplace with increased risks of injuries can advantageously be identified, and the work environment can be made safer by an objective and practical approach to reduce job-related injuries. Data can advantageously be gathered from an individual unintrusively at a workplace while the individual performs his or her assigned job. It can also be appreciated that the method of the present invention alleviates the need for involvement of a high number of professionals by allowing data gathered at a workplace to be analyzed by a small number of select health care professionals that can be located at a central processing facility. It will be understood that various details of the invention may be changed without departing from the scope of the invention. Furthermore, the foregoing description is for the purpose of illustration only, and not for the purpose of limitation as the invention is defined by the following, appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A method for determining a task-specific protocol for determining the functional ability or disability of an individual to engage in a predetermined characteristic required for performance of a selected task, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) generating job data for a workplace identifying at least one particular job task having an increased risk of job-related injury associated therewith;

(b) generating task data corresponding to said job data identifying at least one hazardous characteristic of said job task by first using a portable measuring device to provide measurement data by measuring at least one predetermined characteristic of said job task required by said job task during performance of said job task by an individual at a workplace, and then analyzing said measurement data at a central processing facility to identify at least one hazardous characteristic of said job task; and

(c) generating a task-specific protocol corresponding to said task data wherein said task-specific protocol can be used to determine the extent of functional ability or disability of an individual to perform said hazardous characteristic of said job task.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the initial step of generating injury incidence, nature and severity data identifying at least one job having an increased risk of injury associated therewith.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein injury incidence, nature and severity characteristic data is inputted into a computer and wherein analyzing said injury incidence, nature and severity characteristic data occurs at a central processing facility to generate said injury incidence, nature and severity data.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein said injury incidence, nature and severity data comprises OSHA 200 logs.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein said portable measuring device comprises means for simultaneously measuring angular displacement, angular velocity and/or angular acceleration of a selected musculoskeletal movement in one or more planes of movement, and wherein said predetermined characteristic comprises angular displacement, angular velocity and/or angular acceleration of a selected musculoskeletal movement required by said job task.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein said portable measuring device is attached to the individual to provide the measurement data.

7. The method of claim 5 wherein said predetermined characteristic comprises angular displacement, angular velocity and/or angular acceleration of back movement in planes of movement comprising rotational, lateral flexional, and flexional/extensional movement.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of paragraph (a) comprises using a computer means to collect job characteristic data at a workplace and analyzing said job characteristic data at a central processing facility to generate said job data.

9. The method of claim 1 further comprising screening one or more individuals by using said task- specific protocol to determine the extent of functional ability or disability of said individuals to perform said hazardous characteristic of said job task.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein said screening is accomplished by first using said portable measuring device in a workplace to provide a measurement of at least one predetermined characteristic of said job task during performance by said individuals of said job task, and then analyzing said measurement using a computer means at a central processing facility to determine the extent of functional ability or disability of said individuals to perform said hazardous characteristic of said job task.

11. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of analyzing said measurement provided by said portable measuring device and using a computer means to generate ergonomic intervention data for ergonomically correcting said hazardous characteristic of said job task such that said hazardous characteristic has a reduced risk of injury associated therewith.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising ergonomically correcting said hazardous characteristic such that said hazardous characteristic has a reduced risk of injury associated therewith.

13. The method of claim 1 further comprising analyzing said measurement provided by said portable measuring device and using a computer means to generate training program data defining a physical training program for increasing the functional ability of an individual to perform said hazardous characteristic of said job task.

14. A method for generating baseline data identifying the functional status of an individual, said method comprising the steps of: providing a portable measuring device for measuring one or more predetermined characteristics of musculoskeletal movement; using said portable measuring device to provide measurement data for an individual by measuring one or more predetermined characteristics of one or more musculoskeletal movements of said individual associated with a standardized protocol during performance by said individual of said one or more movements; and analyzing said measurement data with a computer means to generate baseline data defining a functional status of said individual regarding said one or more movements.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising utilizing a restraint system to isolate said one or more movements during performance by said individual of said one or more movements.

16. The method of claim 14 further comprising transferring said measurement data to a central processing facility for analysis of said measurement data.

17. The method of claim 14 wherein said portable measuring device comprises means for simultaneously measuring angular displacement, angular velocity and/or acceleration of a selected musculoskeletal movement in one or more planes of movement, and wherein said predetermined characteristic comprises angular displacement, angular velocity and/or angular acceleration of a selected musculoskeletal movement required for performance of said one or more movements.

18. The method of claim 14 further comprising the initial step of generating injury assessment data identifying the incidence, nature and severity of job- related injuries at a workplace.

19. The method of claim 14 wherein said individual is a non-injured individual.

20. A method for determining an extent of functional ability or disability of an injured individual, said method comprising the steps of claim 19 and further comprising the steps of : using said portable measuring device to provide measurement data for an injured individual by measuring said one or more predetermined characteristics of one or more musculoskeletal movements of said injured individual associated with said standardized protocol during performance by said injured individual of said one or more movements; analyzing said measurement data for said injured individual to identify a functional status of said injured individual regarding said one or more movements; and comparing said functional status of said injured individual with said functional status of said non-injured individual to determine an extent of functional ability or disability of said injured individual regarding said one or more movements.

21. The method of claim 20 further comprising transferring said measurement data for both said non- injured individual and said injured individual to a central processing facility for analysis to identify functional status.

22. The method of claim 20 further comprising utilizing a restraint system with both said non-injured individual and said injured individual to isolate said one or more movements during performance by said non-injured individual and said injured individual of said one or more movements.

23. The method of claim 20 wherein said portable measuring device comprises means for simultaneously measuring angular displacement, angular velocity and/or angular acceleration of a selected musculoskeletal movement in one or more planes of movement, and wherein said predetermined characteristic comprises angular displacement, angular velocity and/or angular acceleration of a selected musculoskeletal movement required for performance of said one or more movements.

24. The method of claim 20 wherein said predetermined characteristic comprises angular displacement, angular velocity and/or angular acceleration of back movement in planes of movement comprising rotational, lateral flexional, and flexional/extensional movement.

25. The method of claim 20 further comprising determining a subsequent functional status for said injured individual and comparing said subsequent functional status with the first-determined functional status of said injured individual to evaluate any recovery of said injured individual.

26. The method of claim 20 further comprising screening said injured individual using a task-specific protocol to determine the functional ability or disability of said injured individual to perform said task by: using said portable measuring device to provide task measurement data for said injured individual by measuring one or more predetermined characteristics required by said task during performance of said task by said injured individual; and analyzing said task measurement data to determine the functional ability or disability of said injured individual to perform said task.

27. A method for determining a task-specific protocol for determining the functional ability or disability of an individual to engage in a predetermined characteristic required for performance of a selected task and for screening an individual with the task-specific protocol, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) using a computer means to collect injury assessment data at a workplace regarding incidence, nature and severity of a plurality of job-related injuries at said workplace;

(b) analyzing said injury assessment data at a central processing facility with a computer means to identify a plurality of jobs having an increased risk of injury associated therewith; (c) collecting job data at said workplace regarding said plurality of jobs;

(d) analyzing said job data at a central processing facility with a computer means to identify a plurality of job tasks having an increased risk of injury associated therewith;

(e) using a portable measuring device to provide measurement data by measuring one or more predetermined characteristics required for performance of said job tasks during performance of said job tasks by an individual at said workplace;

(f) analyzing said measurement data at a central processing facility to determine at least one hazardous characteristic of said job tasks having an increased risk of injury associated therewith;

(g) using a computer means to generate a task- specific protocol wherein said task-specific protocol can be used to screen an individual and determine the extent of functional ability or disability of the individual to perform said hazardous characteristic of said job tasks; (h) screening a prospective job performer at a workplace using a computer means and said task- specific protocol to generate screening data; and (i) analyzing said screening data with a computer means at a central processing facility to determine the extent of functional ability or disability of the prospective job performer to perform said hazardous characteristic of said job tasks.

28. The method of claim 27 wherein said portable measuring device comprises means for simultaneously measuring angular displacement, angular velocity and/or angular acceleration of a selected musculoskeletal movement in one or more planes of movement, and wherein said predetermined characteristic comprises angular displacement, angular velocity and/or angular acceleration of a selected musculoskeletal movement required for performance of said job task.