8/14/2019 Goal Of Work Hardening.docx

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1) Goal Of Work Hardeninga) The ultimate goal of work hardening is to help the client

achieve a level of productivity that is acceptable in the competitive labor market.

2) Productivity improvement is achieved through the following techniquesa) Decrease in secondary impairment effects. Impairment is often magnified through disuse. Work

hardening improves strength, flexibility, and endurance.

b) Decrease in functional Limitations, helps the client learn effective adaptive behaviors.c) Decrease in disability. Helps client decrease work-related disabilityd) Improvement of vocational feasibilityWork hardening identifies and remediates potential

problems with productivity, increases safety in the work place, and strengthens interpersonal

relations.

e) Improvement of employability related to the clients work tolerance(ability to lift, carry, andstand) in comparison with the tolerances of other workers in the general labor market.

3) Work Hardening Program Characteristicsa) Takes place in a nonhospital environment typically.b) 600-1500 Square feetc) Work Capacity evaluation devices as the primary treatment toolsd) This allows the work hardening professional to present the patient with tasks that simulate job

tasks and that can be graded in terms of the level of difficulty or length of time involved.

4) Evaluation processa) A clear diagnosis and specific work restrictions must be available from a physician.b) Intake interview is conducted

i) Review of clients medical statusii) Functional Tolerance information is collectediii) Functional Tolerance profilewhich is a review of work-relevant abilities based on the

activities of daily living.

iv) Design the individual work hardening plan5) Stage Model of Industrial Rehabilitation

a) Stage 1PathologyStudy of tissue and boneb) Stage 2ImpairmentEvaluation of Anatomy Physiology, and Psychologyc) Stage 3 Functional LimitationPatients report of symptoms and limitations. Observation of

Function

d) Stage 4 - DisabilitySocial consequences of the functional limitations; how they affect thepatients customary roles

e) Stage 5 - FeasibilityAcceptability of the patient as an employee. Work behavior of the patient.f) Stage 6 - EmployabilityAbility to become employed within a particular labor marketg) Stage 7 - Vocational handicapAbility to become employed in a particular occupationh) Stage 8Earning CapacityIncome measured over the workers lifetime.