title: Shoulder injury reduction with post-offer testing.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study is an interventional evaluation of a post-offer employment testing. The study is designed to determine if shoulder injury rates are lowered when employees are placed at jobs they demonstrate the physical ability to perform.
  
  
  METHODS
  A physical capacity evaluation based testing protocol was utilized to determine if each new employee had the physical work capacity to perform the job for which they were hired. Injuries to the shoulder were specifically scrutinized. The interventional group was compared to a historical control.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The incidence of shoulder injuries was 0% in the tested group and 3.8% in the untested historical control. Over a 6 year study timeframe the utilization of physical capacity testing for work placement appeared to be the major factor in decreasing work related shoulder injuries. The annual cost of administering the tests for three years was $9,543, while the net annual cost savings was $124,451. This represented a 37% decrease in medical costs for shoulder and other work-related injuries. For every dollar spent on testing there was a $14 savings in medical costs secondary to injury prevention.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of post-offer physical capacity testing resulted in a substantial and noticeable decrease in shoulder related non-accidental injuries. Furthermore, it is evident that a properly conceived and implemented post-offer testing program may help in the reduction of work-related injuries.
authors.affiliation: Salina Sports Medicine Clinic, Salina, KS 67401, USA. gary2900@ssmoc.kscoxmail.com
authors.forename: Gary L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Harbin
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Shenoy
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Garcia
authors.forename: John C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Olson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000191:economics* / Q000517:prevention & control; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000191:economics* / Q000517:prevention & control; D012308:Risk Management / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods; D000070599:Shoulder Injuries; D014938:Work Capacity Evaluation; D055815:Young Adult