Communication with the employer must be consistent with the patient's right to confidentiality and should include only information that is pertinent to the occupational illness or injury. Communication with the employer should be documented in the patient's medical record or appropriate worker's compensation form. Confidential medical information that is not directly related to the occupational condition must not be divulged. Personal contact with the employer, when possible, will allow the emergency physician to discuss and clarify appropriate job modifications to allow unimpeded recovery while promoting early return to work. Arrange appropriate followup care.
Patients vary in their ability to recover, so close and timely followup is essential.
The followup required for workers' compensation varies by state. For states with employer-directed medical care, worker followup should occur at the company's designated medical provider appropriate for the nature of the patient's problem. Understand appropriate laws and regulations. It is very important that emergency physicians providing care under workers' compensation understand their state laws and regulations covering this issue. Acute low back problems in adults.