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Workers' Comp Injuries Down

Duke saw a decrease in the most severe type of job injuries last fiscal year

At Duke, faculty and staff aren't just seeing safety in numbers, but also numbers in safety.

Due to increased safety awareness through teamwork and communication, Duke had fewer reported injuries in the 2010-11 fiscal year compared to the previous fiscal year. 

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That means more employees are staying healthy at work.

"It's a collaborative effort when it comes to reducing preventable injuries," said Joyce Williams, director of Workers' Compensation. "The teamwork of supervisors and employees across Duke help make a majority of injuries preventable. It requires that people look out for their own safety as well as the safety of their coworkers."

Duke employees saw positive changes in fiscal year 2010-11 compared to the previous fiscal year:

  • Employees experienced a 3 percent decrease (47 reports) in injuries required medical treatment
  • Duke had a 4 percent drop (three reports) for injuries that required staff to be out of work at least one week

Williams said those results underscore the impact that faculty and staff have in creating a culture of safety. Earlier in the fiscal year, Duke was forecasted to see an increase in injury volumes by 17 percent. After managers and supervisors were alerted to reinforce efforts around safety, Duke wound up seeing a 3 percent decrease.

"Over the past several years, we've made significant improvements in the overall management of our workers compensation programs," said Kyle Cavanaugh, vice president of administration. "However, we must continue to work diligently toward the mitigation of any work-related injuries."

At Durham Regional Hospital, adjustments to procedures in the operating room have led to a safer workplace. In the 2010 calendar year, operating room staff had 14 reported injuries, many of which were strains or sprains of employee backs. There have only been five total reports so far in the 2011 calendar year because of preventive measures like limiting the weight of materials on trays to no more than 25 pounds and making more wheeled tables available instead of picking stationary tables up and moving them. Staff also worked with attendants to limit the amount of soap that goes into mopping water to keep floors less slick.

"Our responsibility is certainly protecting our patients, but we also need to protect our staff to make sure we keep providing quality care," said Jamie Ridout, associate chief nursing officer for Perioperative Services at Durham Regional. "There are always going to be things you can't control, but we're being as proactive as we can about these things."