Ed,
We have always made RTW decisions related to COVID-19 based on symptom based criteria due to all the issues associated with testing. Employees call in with symptoms and are triaged by the EHS staff and a return to work date is given, based on the most recent guidelines (CDC and our state DOH). EHS staff does not check in regularly. Employees are informed that they should call 24 hours before their RTW date and fill out our RTW screening form essentially attesting that they have no symptoms. If we do not hear back from the employee on or before their RTW date, EHS staff will call to inquire.
I have not heard of a "severity index" but you may find this interesting:
"Covid-19: Study reveals six clusters of symptoms that could be used as a clinical prediction tool
An analysis of data obtained from a symptom tracker app has shown that there are six distinct “types” of covid-19, each distinguished by a cluster of symptoms. The researchers said that these types could be used to predict the need for respiratory support in severe covid-19.
https://www.bmj.com/content/370/bmj.m2911"
(You would need to copy and paste the above link). I have not seen the actual study myself but it appears that data has been gathered from self-reported information collected from people using smartphone devices
Abhijay
Abhijay P. Karandikar, MD, MPH, FACOEM
Chief, Section of Employee Health
Reading Hospital, PA
On Thursday, July 16, 2020, 05:36:39 PM EDT, Galaid Edward I <edward.galaid@rsfh.com> wrote:
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I’ve cross posted OEM and MCOH.
We are an integrated healthcare system, 4 hospitals, many outpatient sites, 5800+ employees…dealing with staffing shortages because of COVID-19. Trying to provide the managers with projections as to when individuals, post COVID-19, could be fit to RTW. Fortunately, we have top-shelf in-house resources to keep close tabs on these folks. Right now, we have roughly a couple hundred out…as you may have seen on the news, Charleston’s become quite the hot spot, after a relatively quiet Spring.
Questions for the list are 1) if you are case managing, how often are you checking in on your folks and 2) have you heard of a severity index that could help predict how long someone might be out of work…beyond that 10 day minimum.
Thanks for taking the time to respond. Will summarize for the lists.
Ed Galaid
Edward I. Galaid, MD, MPH, FACOEM
ABIM, ABPM (OM)
Medical Director, Occupational Medicine
Roper Saint Francis Healthcare
Charleston, SC 29401
Member, ACOEM Task Group on Law Enforcement Officer Health
Special Expert, NFPA Fire Service Occupational Safety & Health (FIX-AAA) Committee
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