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· T.C. FIELD <br /> <br />LOSE CONTROL <br />June 18, 1991 <br />Page Two <br /> <br />UPDATE <br /> <br />such as redesigning the workplace to reduce exposure to repetitive <br />tasks, rotating employees to provide a variety of tasks to <br />perform, using machinery to perform repetitive tasks, and <br />spreading the load over the entire muscle group. <br /> <br />Diagnosis and treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome may include, but <br />not be limited to several approaches, including resting the <br />affected area, using splints to reduce stress and wrist deviation, <br />using anti-inflammatory medications (aspirin, etc.), and surgery. <br />The success rate of carpal tunnel surgery is approximately 81% at <br />the present time. <br /> <br />Hirinq Process <br /> <br />For employers to more adequately protect .themselves from this kind <br />of workers' compensation claim, several tools should be used in <br />the hiring process. First, all employees should be screened for <br />CTS during a standard pre-employment physical examination, and <br />existing employees should be given an annual physical. These <br />examinations need to be performed by a physician who is knowledge- <br />able both in CTS and the job tasks of the employee. To accomplish <br />this employers may have to spend time with their local physician <br />to educate them in the related job tasks. This may include, but <br />not be limited to, the physician visiting the employer's workplace <br />to observe job performance or the employer using video tape equip- <br />ment to educate the physician. <br /> <br />Lastly, but perhaps most importantly, t~ employer needs to be <br />constantly alert to the remarks made by employees and their physi- <br />ological conditions. <br /> <br />Resource material: CNA Loss Control Department, Carpal Tunnel <br />Syndrome pamphlet and Krames Communications. <br /> <br />JL:cs <br /> <br /> <br />