What is Corporate Health?

When you think of corporate health, do you think of balance sheets and P/E ratios?  There’s another kind of corporate health that is equally as important as the financial indicators—employee health. 

The rapid growth and development of business in our region has compelled companies to become more involved in the management of their employee’s health care.  It is essential to contain operational expenses to keep a competitive edge in the marketplace and the choice of a medical provider who is experienced in corporate and occupational health is crucial to promoting and maintaining the health and safety of your workforce.  Corporate health providers offer a wide array of essential occupational services, tailored to the needs of your business.  Most commonly used for workers’ compensation injury care, corporate and occupational health facilities also offer physicals, diagnostic services, drug & alcohol testing, corporate safety and wellness and often, specialized on-site services. 

Workers’ compensation is the most visible of corporate health services beginning with initial injury treatment.  Choosing a facility with evening and weekend availability is important if your company works beyond the traditional work week.  Good communication between the employer and the medical provider regarding the employee’s job functions may allow your medical provider to safely return your employee to some level of duty during the recovery phase of treatment.  Effective workers’ compensation case management is good for business. 

Drug and alcohol testing has become critical to many businesses, large and small.  Whether your company chooses to do pre-employment, post-accident, or random testing or requires Department of Transportation (DOT) or Breath Alcohol Testing (BAT), your corporate health provider is your partner in providing a safe, drug-free workplace for all employees. 

Physical examinations, once reserved for highly physical occupations like law enforcement, are becoming increasingly useful tools for the employer.  Physical examinations can help determine an employee’s fitness based on an understanding of the various physical and physiological requirements of the job.  Timely diagnostic testing such as Pulmonary Function Testing, Audiometry, EKG’s, laboratory and X-ray testing may help diagnose and treat occupational medical conditions that can result from unhealthy exposure at work.  Used as a pre-employment tool, these same tests establish a baseline for future reference. 

Finally, a health and wellness program including cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar screenings, diet and exercise guidance, and vaccinations against occupational pathogens like Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, and Lyme Disease can be vital to maintaining employee health.  Many corporate and occupational facilities can offer these services at your site to minimize lost work time. 

So, whether you have 5 employees or 500, discuss your health needs with your corporate health provider and set up a program tailor-made for the health and well being of your employees and the bottom line, your business. 

-- Dan Shapiro, PA-C. 

Dan Shapiro studied at Touro College in New York City, NY, and is a certified Physicians Assistant.  If you have any questions about corporate and occupational medicine, Dan may be reached at (910) 452-7000.