Benchmarking medical absence: measuring the impact of occupational health nursing

Occupational health nurses are in a unique position to influence medical absence costs through their focus on health promotion and restoration. Corporate management looks to occupational health nurses to maximize employee productivity and reduce costs through lowered disability claims, fewer on-the-job injuries, and improved absentee rates. Benchmarking provides the occupational health nurse with the diagnostic tools to measure and manage productivity, demonstrate results, and justify the resources needed to accomplish desired outcomes. Benchmarking assists the occupational health nurse in all standards of practice outlined by the AAOHN: Assessment, diagnosis, outcome identification, planning, implementation, evaluation, resource management, professional development, collaboration, research, and ethics.