Workers' compensation claims among private skilled nursing facilities, Ohio, 2001-2012

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Public Health
• Healthcare Management

Background:

• Skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) face high occupational injury and illness rates.
• Workers' compensation (WC) systems are crucial for tracking workplace injuries.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantify the burden of occupational injury and illness in SNFs.
• To analyze injury characteristics within a state-based WC system.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation claims from 2001-2012.
• Examination of claims data for privately owned, state-insured SNFs.
• Categorization of claims into medical-only and lost-time types.

Main Results:

• 56,442 WC claims were identified in Ohio SNFs between 2001-2012.
• Overexertion/bodily reaction and slips/trips/falls dominated claims (89% all claims, 85% lost-time claims).
• Highest rates per 100 full-time equivalents (FTE) were for overexertion (3.7), slips/trips/falls (2.1), and contact with objects (1.9).

Conclusions:

• Understanding specific injury events is key to targeted prevention.
• Implementing safe patient handling, improving housekeeping, and enhancing training can reduce SNF worker injuries.
• Mitigating injuries can decrease associated workers' compensation expenses.