The COVID-19 pandemic has certainly changed several aspects of our lives throughout the year, and the nature of work is no exception. In June 2020, Stanford economist Nicholas Bloom stated that upwards of 42 percent of the U.S. labor force was working from home full-time. While things are starting to get back to “normal”, many workers will continue to work at least part-time from home for the foreseeable future. According to one report, about 19 percent of full-time employees are expected to continue working from home throughout 2021, nearly three times what it was before the global pandemic began.
While the nature of remote work comes with certain advantages for both employers and employees, there are also serious challenges. Offering the best-in-class safety coverage for all your employees might seem difficult for businesses with a large percentage of remote workers. Fortunately, telehealth services and telehealth technology allow companies to reduce employee injuries, lessen time lost due to health issues, and control healthcare costs while operating with your current safety team, a limited budget, and geographical spread of workplace locations.
The best news is that telehealth is entirely adaptable to your team and their location - remote or on-site. So whether you are a one-person business, the founder of a small entrepreneurial endeavor, or the CEO of a Fortune 500 company, telehealth technology offers a simple and straightforward solution for empowering your workers with on-demand access to a range of wellness programs, expert guidance, and injury triage.
In partnership with HealthyRoster, Work-Fit is proud to offer TeleHealth: a virtual injury clinic experience providing safety coverage for every person, during every shift, at every location. No matter your staff size or project scope, your workers will never be alone.
What Are Telehealth Systems?
According to the prestigious Mayo Clinic, telehealth is “the use of digital information and communication technologies, such as computers and mobile devices, to access health care services remotely and manage your health care. These may be technologies you use from home or that your doctor uses to improve or support health care services.”
Due to the combination of the current coronavirus pandemic, rising healthcare costs, and increased competition for top employee talent, many businesses are beginning to offer telehealth services as an added benefit for their workforce. The 2019 employee benefits survey by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) revealed an upward trend in employers offering telemedicine benefits to their workforce.
Telehealth services and telehealth monitoring are mostly used for outpatient services when hands-on care is not required. With telehealth technology, medical attention is given via phone calls or live video chats where individuals can consult with medical professionals regarding a wide range of health issues. Not only do telehealth systems allow individuals to proactively support their health, but they also reduce stress on overburdened healthcare facilities.
Telehealth Technology Offered by Work-Fit
With the HealthyRoster software, your employees will have access to on-demand TeleHealth services from on-site kiosks throughout your work areas, on their personal or work devices via mobile apps, and via hotline with any telephone.
These different forms of accessibility are ideal for a diverse workforce, allowing your employees to access important telehealth services both on-site, remotely, or even as they commute to and from work. Some of the programs included with the HealthyRoster software include virtual wellness, self-care programs, and televideo injury triage. All of the services are provided by licensed medical professionals, with immediate referrals and direction, in accordance with your company’s current protocols.
On-Site Injury Triage
Work-related injuries can happen in the blink of an eye. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that there were 2.8 million nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses reported by private industry employers in 2018 alone. The telehealth technology offered by Work-Fit allows your employees to receive immediate, expert guidance on what to do in the case of workplace injuries. This can also reduce the number of injuries and illnesses being reported to OSHA, which can often result in huge expenses for employers.
Work-Fit’s TeleHealth platform connects your employees with licensed medical professionals who will triage the injury and, following your existing protocols, provide expert advice on whether emergency care is needed or if the employee can return to work. This easy-to-use platform significantly reduces worker’s compensation costs and lost time, empowering your team to avoid costly mistakes by reacting appropriately to the situation.
Adaptable Employee Protection Plans Start With Work-Fit
Having an injury response plan is essential for every business. Work-Fit’s team of dedicated sports medicine professionals empowers your employees by increasing awareness of ergonomics and biomechanics within any job, promoting a workplace culture of wellness and safety, injury prevention, and establishing recovery protocol. Having an on-site team is ideal for maintaining open lines of communication with your workers on safety and injury prevention, and Telehealth is the next best thing.
Telehealth monitoring is designed to work seamlessly with your existing on-site occupational safety and medical team, or to be the perfect introductory program for any company looking to reduce costs associated with worker injuries. Work-Fit’s telehealth services can reduce wasted time and paperwork associated with workplace injuries, and expand wellness benefits in an interactive, on-demand setting.
The best injury protection is prevention. Take the first step in giving your team the best tools for success. Contact Work-Fit today to see how you can enhance your safety program, reduce your team’s workload, and more effectively support your entire workforce with Work-Fit’s telehealth services.
