Selecting and managing services from occupational health care vendors

Abstract

As briefly highlighted in this discussion, the occupational health nurse possesses the clinical expertise and assessment skills to effectively select and manage the corporation's health care vendors-if this expertise is used as an avenue toward empowerment. The occupational health nurse must recognize this expertise and accept the accountability for vendor selection. The occupational health nurse must work to assume the authority to make vendor selection/management decisions. This article identifies several tools/strategies to use in selecting and managing health care vendors while achieving positive outcomes, i.e., employee health and productivity. The benefits of vendor management are directly related to employee productivity and morale and corporate financial health. The Figure illustrates the benefits of vendor management in one setting during an 11 month period. Strong management resulted in a reduction in open workers' compensation claims by 88% and reduction in lost days by 71%. This translates into increased employee productivity and morale and improved financial health for the organization-which demonstrates dramatically the value of the occupational health nurse. During times of company downsizing, this extra value can only be an asset to career stability. The occupational health nurse must implement proactive vendor management to achieve the desired outcomes. The occupational health nurse is the customer and, except in the most isolated rural areas of the country, nearly always has a choice.