title: Outcomes of the introduction of a standardized fitness-for-duty evaluation of commercial truck drivers on the incidence of low back injuries and workers' compensation costs.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the incidence of low back injuries and associated workers' compensation costs before and after the introduction of a standardized fitness-for-duty evaluation of commercial truck drivers who present for their comprehensive Department of Transportation (DOT) physical examination.
  
  
  METHODS
  Trained physical therapists administered questionnaires and performed functional testing of commercial truck drivers scheduled for their DOT examination. The results were communicated to providers performing DOT examinations. Incidence rates of low back injury and associated workers' compensation costs 3 years before and 3 years after the intervention (1999 to 2006) were determined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a 54% reduction in the low back pain incidence rate and an associated 45% reduction in workers' compensation costs from 1999 to 2006.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This intervention was associated with a reduced incidence of low back injuries and reduced associated workers' compensation costs in this population.
authors: From the Arkansas Occupational Health Clinic (Dr Berestnev and Dr Moffitt), Springdale; Division of Occupational of Medicine (Dr McKenzie), Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, School of Medicine Occupational Medicine Residency Program, GR Silverstein, Philadelphia; and RoadReady, Inc (Mr Vancil), Lowell, Ark.
authors: Konstantin V
authors: KV
authors: Berestnev
authors: Gary L
authors: GL
authors: Moffitt
authors: Dan S
authors: DS
authors: Vancil
authors: Judith
authors: J
authors: McKenzie
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018986:Motor Vehicles; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010808:Physical Examination; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014942:Workers' Compensation / Q000191:economics*