Occupational injuries in radiology: strategies for cost containment

Occupational injuries represent a measurable part of the operating costs in the health care environment. Injury rates in hospitals have been documented to be higher than those in industry; one possible cause may be the cost-based reimbursement setting which provides no incentive to reduce occupational injuries. With the advent of prospective payment, the costs associated with occupational injuries must be reduced. This paper will discuss the common hazards in radiology, as well as action that can potentially reduce these costs. Prospective payment has given a new meaning to cost containment, forcing the radiology administrator to seek all possible means to contain costs.