Official Disability Guidelines

If you are involved in workers’ compensation, you need to know about ODG – The Official Disability Guidelines.  

“Big Data“ is the buzz word at the moment.  For me it all sounds a bit too much like Big Brother – someone is using my personal information for who knows what.  But it is not all bad.  Big data has allowed a much closer look at injury management, recovery times, and validated treatments. The Official Disability Guidelines (ODG) is one such subscription service. It collates data on literally millions of work injuries in the US, and now Australia. 

I’ve been discussing ODG with Shane Taranto from Star Injury Management.

David: What are the practical uses for ODG?

Shane:  ODG can assist with starting the conversation with key stakeholders and setting expectations in the early stages of the recovery process.

It can be extremely helpful for Employers managing internal return to work programs with minimal exposure to injury recovery timeframes and in understanding the type of ‘suitable’ duties that need to be accommodated.

Comorbid conditions

• If an injured worker has two or more injury sites, the data struggles to accurately estimate recovery timeframes as it’s unable to take into account the impact of each injury on the other.
• For example, if an exercise program is recommended for developing strength for a lower back injury, however is contra-indicated for a concurrent leg fracture where rest is required, this can delay the treatment and healing required for the back injury, resulting in extended timeframes for recovery overall

Bilateral conditions

• If an injured worker happens to have concurrent bilateral injuries, particularly if they’re at different stages in recovery,
• For example if an injured worker has two rotator cuff tears, the data can only predict recovery of one shoulder injury at a time.

Delayed Intervention

Sometimes, particularly in workers compensation claims, referral for the right intervention (treatment and return to work) are very delayed. So specialist and rehabilitation providers are receiving referrals well past the suggested timeframes for recovery, resulting in the data being irrelevant in ‘real world’ management. 

David: Where do you see this going in the future?

Shane: Difficulties aside, ODG is showing signs it can assist in setting early intervention expectations for recovery and treatment. The data base for treatment is beginning to be utilised by some of the larger insurance groups to assist with streamlining approvals. Where an injury has a clear best practice treatment or investigation for diagnosis, insurers are looking at automated approvals to avoid delays in intervention, subsequently supporting the recovery process.

As the data base provides guidelines for recovery, treatment and restrictions it can be helpful for smaller workplaces to manage acute injury and return to work programs which don’t require complex management best facilitated by Workplace Rehabilitation Providers.  This is likely to have a positive effective on Insurance Premiums for smaller businesses. 

Overall, ODG is likely to be useful in providing guidance for an Injured Worker’s recovery following a workplace injury. As the data base continues to grow, the ability to provide direction on complex injuries / situations will also improve.

SHANE TARANTO

STAR INJURY MANAGEMENT

www.starims.com.au