Athletic Training and Health Care Economics: Demonstrating Value of Athletic Trainer Services in Occupational Health.

Clinical Question Several factors contribute to work-related recordable injuries within industries; this leads to increased workers' compensation expenditure. More companies are using the services of athletic trainers (ATs) to reduce recordable injuries and save on costs related to an injured employee. The clinical question is, "What is the cost savings of having an AT on-site, particularly as it relates to workplace injury reduction?"

Setting A warehouse distribution center with approximately 300 full-time and 100 temporary workers from a variety of ethnic backgrounds and ages. One AT provided services 1 day a week, 4 hours per visit. Services included group stretching sessions, guided whole body exercises, manual stretching, light massage, ergonomic assessments, and job coaching.

Variables Cost comparisons were used that identified the services the AT rendered with the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code of a similar service performed within clinical practice. This provided the direct cost, but an additional multiplier of 5 times the direct cost was used to identify the indirect cost. The calculations for the return on investment included the estimated cost savings (direct and indirect costs subtracted from the cost of services divided by the cost of service).

Strategy Cost-savings metrics were tracked within an Excel spreadsheet. The cost-savings method used Current Procedural Terminology reimbursement codes found in the clinical setting.

Findings Of the 19 employees discharged from the program, 10 had received AT care for reasons directly linked to experiencing discomfort while on the job; estimated cost-savings metrics totaled $164 765.88.

Outcome The case example presented a 6 : 1 cost-savings ratio; for every $1 spent on the program, the company contracting AT services saved an estimated $6 in medical expenses. Improved clinical practice initiatives focus on using data collection and aggregation practices to justify services and create opportunities.

Lessons Learned By collecting clinical practice data and using cost-savings calculations, ATs can demonstrate their impact within the occupational setting. With the focus on prevention, education, and ergonomics, the profession has become more engaged with different stakeholders who value the services rendered by ATs.