NEWS RELEASE For Immediate Release
Spooner, WI (June 23, 2014) – The newest team member and Athletic Trainer at Spooner & Hayward Physical Therapy and Rehab Specialists (Spooner & Hayward PTRS), Lauren Geier, ATC, recently attended a 3-day educational training on June 19-21 to align her knowledge with the practice’s industrial specialty. The training focused on how to properly manage the treatment of the injured worker, as well as functional testing, which will allow Lauren to better assess an injured worker’s physical capabilities and job demands. Proper functional testing integrated into an injured worker’s treatment results in better outcomes with employees being fully fit-for-duty upon return to work.
Recent studies by the National Safety Council determine that the average direct cost of an individual worker’s compensation claim for an employer is approximately $36,551. And in 2011, there were 5,000,000 medically consulted injuries caused in the workplace. As you can tell, worker’s compensation cases can be extremely costly to employers, as they are not only required to pay worker’s compensation premiums, but also direct and indirect costs of a claim, including the worker’s lost time and additional staff training. Spooner & Hayward PTRS’ goal is to help employers reduce these costs by rehabilitating injured workers as quickly and safely as possible.
As no two injuries are alike, Lauren completed the training to learn how to take an innovative approach to the treatment of the injured worker. Being a medical professional that treats a patient from the initial evaluation to full duty/return to work, Lauren understands the importance of individualizing each treatment plan. The functional testing component allows her to better determine a patient’s current abilities in relation to his or her job demands, and assess his/her productivity, pain levels, safety, and physical tolerances.
Alongside of Lauren, the family at Spooner & Hayward PTRS is dedicated to providing the best quality services for our community and local employers. Lauren is excited to utilize her knowledge on the management of the injured worker to expand upon the practice’s already thriving industrial services, and be able to better communicate with employers how they can return injured workers back to employment safely and quickly.
Spooner PTRS is a locally owned-and-operated network of physical therapy clinics with locations also in Turtle Lake, Clear Lake, & Rice Lake, WI. Focusing on quality care, the clinics specialize in sports injuries, industrial medicine, injury prevention, orthopedics, vestibular & balance services, postural restoration, and wound care. For more information, visit www.restoringhumanperformance.com or call 715-635-2518.
