Relationship Analysis of Injured Workers' Average Weekly Wages and Workers' Compensation Indemnity Claims in Maine, US: 1998 to 2017.

Objective: Explore the relationship between injured workers' average weekly wages (AWW) and their workers' compensation (WC) claims outcomes in Maine, US.

Methods: A total of 29,668 indemnity (lost-time) claims categorized into three wage-based percentile groups from a 20-year period (5-year intervals) were analyzed. WC outcomes included medical costs, number of indemnity checks, claim's duration, and claim settlements.

Management of irreparable massive rotator cuff tears: a systematic review and meta-analysis of patient-reported outcomes, reoperation rates, and treatment response.

Background: There is no consensus on the treatment of irreparable massive rotator cuff tears. The goal of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to (1) compare patient-reported outcome scores, (2) define failure and reoperation rates, and (3) quantify the magnitude of patient response across treatment strategies.

Methods: The MEDLINE, Embase, CENTRAL (Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials), and Scopus databases were searched for studies including physical therapy and operative treatment of massive rotator cuff tears.

Defining massive rotator cuff tears: a Delphi consensus study.

Background: A standard definition for massive rotator cuff tears (MRCTs) has not been identified. The purpose of this study is to use the modified Delphi technique to determine a practical, consensus definition for MRCTs.

Methods: This study is based on responses from 20 experts who participated in 4 rounds of surveys to determine a consensus definition for MRCT.

Self-audit of lockout/tagout in manufacturing workplaces: A pilot study.

Background: Occupational health and safety (OHS) self-auditing is a common practice in industrial workplaces. However, few audit instruments have been tested for inter-rater reliability and accuracy.

Methods: A lockout/tagout (LOTO) self-audit checklist was developed for use in manufacturing enterprises.

Findings From the National Machine Guarding Program-A Small Business Intervention: Machine Safety.

Objectives: The purpose of this nationwide intervention was to improve machine safety in small metal fabrication businesses (3 to 150 employees). The failure to implement machine safety programs related to guarding and lockout/tagout (LOTO) are frequent causes of Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) citations and may result in serious traumatic injury.

Methods: Insurance safety consultants conducted a standardized evaluation of machine guarding, safety programs, and LOTO.

Findings From the National Machine Guarding Program: A Small Business Intervention: Lockout/Tagout.

Objective: Failure to implement lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures adversely affects the rate of work-related fatalities and serious traumatic injury and is one of the most frequently cited Occupational Safety and Health Administration standards. This study assesses the impact of a nationwide intervention to improve LOTO in small metal fabrication businesses.

Methods: Insurance safety consultants conducted a standardized and validated evaluation of LOTO programs and procedures.

National Machine Guarding Program: Part 2. Safety management in small metal fabrication enterprises.

Background: Small manufacturing businesses often lack important safety programs. Many reasons have been set forth on why this has remained a persistent problem.

Methods: The National Machine Guarding Program (NMGP) was a nationwide intervention conducted in partnership with two workers' compensation insurers.

National Machine Guarding Program: Part 1. Machine safeguarding practices in small metal fabrication businesses.

Background: Metal fabrication workers experience high rates of traumatic occupational injuries. Machine operators in particular face high risks, often stemming from the absence or improper use of machine safeguarding or the failure to implement lockout procedures.

Methods: The National Machine Guarding Program (NMGP) was a translational research initiative implemented in conjunction with two workers' compensation insures.

TennCare disenrollment and avoidable hospital visits in Davidson County, Tennessee.

The objective of this study was to determine if an association existed between the mid-2005 TennCare (Medicaid) disenrollment and increases in uninsured ambulatory care sensitive condition (ACSC) non-admitted ER visits and inpatient hospitalizations in Davidson County, Tennessee (= the city of Nashville). Logistic regression modeling, using an interactive term for insurance category x year, indicated that the effect of no insurance on ACSC ER visits increased by 18% from 2003 to 2007 (p<.001), but no significant effect was found for uninsured ACSC inpatient hospitalizations.

Radiographic comparison of pegged and keeled glenoid components using modern cementing techniques: a prospective randomized study.

Background: Modern cementing techniques have improved glenoid fixation, reduced glenoid lucency seen with keeled components, and may eliminate differences attributable to glenoid design. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of glenoid design on immediate and follow-up radiographic lucency of pegged and keeled glenoid components, using modern cementing techniques.

Material And Methods: Fifty-three total shoulder arthroplasties were performed in patients with primary glenohumeral osteoarthritis.