1. BioFunction’s Work Capacity Test Can Determine An Employee’s
Return-To-Work Ability Or Their Need For Work Hardening Programs
Santa Clara, CA (January 19, 2016): Alliance Occupational Medicine announcedtodaythe resultsof a7-
yearstudyof BioFunctionanditsabilitytoobjectivelydetermine whetheranemployeeisreadytogo
back to work,or whetherthere isneedforthe employee toparticipate inaworkhardeningprogram
whenstrengthandendurance are separatedfromthe employee’spainbehaviors.
Predictingbiomechanical function,anddeterminingthe needforworkhardeningprograms,hasbeen
attemptedbyothervariousprovidersinthe pastbutinspite of the bestof intentionsthe employee’s
return-to-workability,and/ortheirneedforadditionaltherapy,hashadtorelyheavilyonsubjective
ultraconservativeclinicianguesstimatesof workcapability. Unfortunately,thissubjective evaluation
processhas failedtoseparate the employee’spain,malingering,motivational orpsychosocialoverlay
behaviorsfromtheiractual occupational strengthandendurance (the abilitytowork).
BioFunctionintegratesastate-of-the-artbiomechanical computerwiththe abilitytosimulate multiple
assembly,manufacturingandworkmotiontasks. These tasksare evaluatedontime,efficiency,and
productivitywhile recordinganemployee’spainreactions. BioFunction’scurrentstudyof these
tolerancesshowsthat67.1% of chronicpainpatientsactuallyrequire noadditional workhardening
restorationbeyondstandardprotocols,and73.5% of chronicpainpatientswhodorequire work
restorationtherapycanbe restoredto full duty.The average case age to referral inthisstudywas18
months,whichwasa reductionfrom27 monthsintheirearlierstudy,butmore costsavingscouldbe
realizedif caseswere referredwhenachronicpaindiagnosisbecame apparent(6months).
The resultsof thisstudyoffermore opportunitiesforemployersandpayorstofurtherreduce their
workers’compensation.Costssavingsmaybe seeninthe loweringof TTD,permanentimpairment/work
disabilityratings,future medical costs,workaccommodationandsettlementexpenses.
BioFunctionisthe onlyvendorinthe SanFranciscoBay Areato provide trulypredictiveemployee work
tolerancesandoperatesoutof Alliance Occupational Medicine inSantaClaraandSan Jose.
Alliance Occupational Medicine isafull service occupational medicine provider andservesemployers
throughoutSiliconValley. Alliance specializesonlyinoccupationalhealthservices. WhatmakesAlliance
standoutistheircommitmenttoactivelypartner withemployers,insurance carriersandpatientsto
expediterecoveryfromwork-relatedinjuries. Theyprovide workers’compensationcare,specialtycare,
x-ray,rehabilitation,splints,medications,acupuncture,chiropracticcare,physical exams,vaccinations
and drug testing.
To make a referral toBioFunctiontoevaluate acomplex orchallengingcase,contactAlliance
Occupational Medicine at(408) 224-8400 or visitthematwww.allianceoccmed.com.
# # #