INTEGRIS Health, Inc. reduces workers' compensation costs by more than 50 percent

INTEGRIS Health Inc. is Oklahoma’s largest non-profit healthcare system and second largest employer; with approximately 8,000 employees and 10 hospitals, rehabilitation centers, physician clinics, mental health facilities, independent living centers and home health agencies throughout the state.

INTEGRIS Health has been awarded for its safety efforts with the Oklahoma Department of Labor Award of Excellence, 2003, the Oklahoma Safety Council’s Award of Excellence, 2004, and the first Department of Labor CREST Award, 2004, for its’ safety programs, safety policies and Disability Management Program, which have provided a safe work environment for its employees and reduced workers’ compensation costs by more than 50 percent over a three-year period.

These innovative programs have saved INTEGRIS Health $15 Million over the past five years. INTEGRIS Health has cut their workers’ compensation budget by more than 50 percent over a six-year period, while the payroll, number of full-time employees and productive hours have continued to increase each year.

In 1997 INTEGRIS Health’s workers’ compensation budget was $4.8 million for associated costs alone. By the year 2000, INTEGRIS Health reduced its workers’ compensation budget to $2.5 million per year. Not only are workers’ compensation costs paid out of this budget, but also the salary for three R.N. case managers and costs of all ergonomic equipment.

In 1997 INTEGRIS Health’s key cost driver was back injuries to nurses from lifting and transferring patients. INTEGRIS Health began to look at ways to prevent these types of injuries. One component of the Disability Management Program is the safe patient handling policy, which prevents manual lifting and lateral transfers of patients. AirPal products are provided to each patient care unit, as well as to Central Transportation. Per the policy, no patient is to be transported or transferred without the use of an AirPal.

During product selection, several types of lateral transfer devices were evaluated. INTEGRIS Health chose the AirPal for its high degree of patient comfort, ease of use and cleaning, and reduction of injury to employees. The AIR PAL is a remarkable product because it allows one employee to move an incredible amount of weight with no risk of injury to the patient or employee.

Different procedures, including x-rays and surgery, can be performed while the patient remains on the AirPal. INTEGRIS Health’s Labor and Delivery unit performs all C-Sections on the AirPal. Use of the AirPal has played an integral part in helping INTEGRIS Health reduce its work-related injuries and retain staff.