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HomeMy WebLinkAbout110.002 - Appropriate Level of Care for On-The-Job Injuries (OJI) ADMINISTRATIVE MANUAL MEDICAL ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY 110.002 APPRORIATE LEVEL OF CARE FOR ON-THE- JOB INJURIES (OJI) EFFECTIVE: MARCH 2011 Current Revision Date: 04/26/21 Next Revision Date: 04/26/22 Author’s Name/Rank: Bradley Dandridge, Battalion Chief Review Level: 1 Administrative Support: Evelyn Yin-Zepeda, Management Analyst II PURPOSE This policy identifies the appropriate level of care to be given to members injured on duty, specifically addressing when members can receive basic first aid for their work- place injury as opposed to having a reportable Workers’ Compensation injury. In addition, this policy addresses documentation requirements and empowers battalion chiefs to make appropriate decisions related to medical care based on the circumstances of a member’s specific injury. APPLICATION Attending to an injured member’s immediate medical needs is a paramount responsibility of the Fresno Fire Department (FFD or Department). Patient treatment is not to be delayed to facilitate addressing requirements of the Department’s Medical Administrative Policy. California Labor Codes distinguish between medical injuries requiring basic first aid only and those requiring more advanced medical treatment. Leave time and financial responsibility incurred by members injured on duty are the responsibility of the Department. Not all on-the-job injuries require the member to be seen by a physician. For those injuries identified as requiring first-aid treatment only, the injured member’s battalion chief may allow the member to be placed on leave and recuperate at home. This document outlines when such a practice is acceptable. OPERATIONAL POLICY It is the policy of the Department to provide immediate, appropriate medical care for any member injured on the job. Furthermore, the Department will ensure all requirements and documentation identified by local, state, or federal codes are followed. OPERATIONAL GUIDELINE This section intentionally left blank. PROCESS First aid is medical care all employers must provide their employees. The difference between first aid and medical treatment is based on the type of treatment a member receives. It does not depend on whether the treatment is provided by a physician or another licensed health-care professional. The California Labor Code defines first aid as “any one-time treatment, and any follow- up visit for the purpose of observation of minor scratches, cuts, burns, splinters, or other minor industrial injury, which do not ordinarily require medical care. This one- time treatment, and follow-up visit for the purpose of observation, is considered first aid even though provided by a physician or registered professional person.” In the event first aid is sufficient, the required documentation shall include: Electronic entry in the Department’s Record Management System (RMS). Supervisor’s Report of Injury (FC-06). Medical Service Order, MSO/Occupational Health Providers List (FC-11) if member is seen by a physician. Employee’s Claim for Workers’ Compensation Benefits, DWC-1 (FC-17). Medical Treatment Treatment is not considered first aid in either of the following circumstances: Medical care goes beyond a one-time treatment and follow-up visit. The injury causes a member to lose time from work beyond his/her 24- hour work shift. In all cases where basic first aid is not appropriate; any time the member requests further medical care; or if there is any question as to the appropriateness of the proposed treatment, the member will be required to pursue medical treatment and all required documentation shall be filed. Section 110.002 Page 2 of 4 In the event medical treatment is sought, the required documentation shall include: Electronic entry in the RMS. Supervisor’s Report of Injury (FC-06). Medical Service Order, MSO/Occupational Health Providers List (FC-11). Employee’s Claim for Workers’ Compensation Benefits, DWC-1 (FC-17). Refer to Administrative Manual, Section 110.003, On-the-Job Injury (OJI) Reporting, for details on filing these forms. Note: Upon determination by the physician the member’s injury will not require further medical care, the injury can be classified as necessitating first aid only and the FC-17 will not have to be filed. Battalion Chief Discretion The Department has empowered battalion chiefs to use discretion and allow members to be placed on leave for the remainder of one 24-hour work shift to recover from first aid type injuries. This discretion can be applied after a member has been determined to have a first aid type injury and can occur with or without a visit to a physician. The battalion chief must have a reasonable expectation the member has a good chance of returning to full duty the next 24-hour shift without additional physician’s care. In cases where medical examination by a physician and a submitted Workers’ Compensation claim is required by law or good prudence to limit liability, battalion chief’s discretion will not be allowed. The following are examples of when a member must receive medical treatment from a physician and file a Workers’ Compensation claim: Unconsciousness. Traumatic/specific back or neck injuries. Eye injuries. Aggravation of a pre-existing condition (e.g., off-duty personal injury). Section 110.002 Page 3 of 4 Prescription by physician. Work restrictions by physician. Exposure to pesticide or hazardous materials. Injuries requiring stitches or sutures. Penetrating or puncture injuries. Heat-related sickness involving altered mental status or vomiting. INFORMATION This section intentionally left blank. DEFINITIONS This section intentionally left blank. CROSS-REFERENCES Administrative Order No. 2-26, Light Duty Assignments for Temporarily Disabled Employees California Labor Code, Section 5401 (a) Administrative Manual Section 106.015, Supervisor’s Report of Injury FC-06 Section 106.018, Medical Service Order (MSO) /Occupational Health Providers List FC-11 Section 106.020, Employees Claim for Workers’ Compensation Benefits (DWC-1) FC-17 Section 110.003, On-the-Job Injury (OJI) Reporting Section 110.002 Page 4 of 4