Frustrated and dismayed at the cost of occupational injuries and absences due to illness, a growing number of companies are trying a new tact: bringing the doctor to the office. Major companies are finding that locating medical facilities at the worksite helps reduce injuries and illnesses and gets employees back to work sooner.

Under this approach, a health care provider (preferably with a specialty or interest in occupational health) contracts with the employer to provide services to employees. The ideal workplace health center not only treats injuries and illnesses among employees, but also promotes preventive and wellness programs to keep workers safe and healthy. The occupational health care staff actually becomes part of the company's "team." One way they might do this is in helping to find ways in which to accommodate an employee who has been injured on the job. Yearly check-ups might be offered to employees as well as vaccinations, work-station evaluations, physical therapy, ergonomic assessments, medical surveillance, hearing conservation, OSHA-required training and much more.

OccNet OnSite, a service of the Health Alliance, has been providing on-site occupational health services to area employers for more than 10 years. Our trained staff of physicians, nurses and medical assistants bring occupational solutions directly to you.

OnSite occupational health services can save employers money by decreasing workers' compensation costs and aggressively managing injuries. OccNet OnSite provides an experienced team that will become a resource for information, assistance and problem solving. Because the team is there to respond to emergencies, you will have fewer unnecessary emergency room visits.

It can also keep more employees on the job: it is estimated that employees take two and one-half to six hours off work to visit physicians off-site. This translates into lost productivity and wages paid for work not accomplished. For a large company, the costs can be considerable. Work-site health services have been shown to reduce costs by as much as 70 percent, and time-off-work by 80 percent, according to some employers.

For more information about how you can make your work area a better place to stand, call OccNet at 1-513-585-9400 to set up an appointment to help keep your work place a safe and comfortable one in which to work.

The occupational health specialists of Alliance Health for Business, working with other Health Alliance network providers, place a strong emphasis on prompt and appropriate return-to-work. To find out more about Alliance Health for Business services, call 513-585-9400.