Many providers across the country have integrated occupational medicine into urgent care practices. In fact, Total Occupational Medicine’s affiliation with Lake Urgent Care/Lake After Hours is a prime example. So, what’s the strategy behind this move and how does it benefit the consumer? We’ll discuss below.
Let’s Review: What is Occupational Medicine?
Occupational medicine is a branch of preventive medicine that is generally divided into workers compensation and the treatment of workplace illnesses and injuries, as well as and occupational health—a broad field which includes workplace wellness and injury prevention, fit-for-duty and
specialty physicals (eg, DOT), and drug and alcohol testing.
What are the Benefits of Urgent Care and Occupation Medicine Working Together?
While distinctly different, urgent care and occupational medicine share many qualities of medical care and treatment. Most workplace injuries consist of minor trauma that are similar to urgent care in both cause and treatment. Therefore, urgent care and occupational medicine can be
synergistic. Companies can combine their need for medical services such as drug screenings or an insurance physical along with traditional urgent care needs for injuries and illness, ultimately helping streamline care and returning workers to their duties quicker.
Enhanced Convenience and Save Time and Money
While urgent care is typically a morning and evening business, especially on weekdays, occ med physicals, re-checks and drug testing can be done during the workday allowing employees more flexibility for their care. In addition, most occupational medicine clinics are usually open only on weekdays and offer typical 8:00 to 5:00 hours. An occupational clinic partnering with an urgent care clinic allows employers the ability to schedule appointments outside these regular business hours and on weekends, providing patients even more convenience. In addition, if
there is an on-the-job injury that is not life-threatening, going to an occupational clinic that features an urgent care rather than the emergency room makes much more sense. The wait times in the ER can be hours for patients suffering from minor injuries to joints, muscles or bones, rather than the 15 to 20 minutes average wait time of and occ med/urgent care clinic.
Total Occupational Medicine
Whether you are an employer or an employee, occupational medicine services provided in affiliation with an urgent care facility can help protect the safety, health and well-being of people all while making care delivery easier and more convenient. Total Occupational Medicine has been
providing occupational medicine services in Baton Rouge and the surrounding area since 2003. Affiliated with Lake Urgent Care/Lake After Hours, we help minimize OSHA recordables, reduce average cost per case, and reduce lost time, which helps your bottom line without compromising quality patient care. We can partner directly with your business to develop a customized plan to meet the specific needs of your company and work with you to deliver those services. Total Occupational Medicine is conveniently located at 3333 Drusilla Lane near I-12 and is open from
7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. In addition, we treat injuries and provide substance testing until 11:00 p.m. seven days a week at Lake After Hours Drusilla, conveniently located in the same complex. For more information, contact us at (225) 924-4460 or visit www.totaloccmed.com.