The Physical Capacity Profile® (PCP) testing system is used by medical teams and facilities for post-offer physical exams, fit for duty, and functional capacity evaluations (FCE’s) conducted on behalf of employers. Among the many things that make the PCP testing system so special is the fact that the test creates a baseline qualification system that allows employers to test their new-hires to make sure that they're safe while performing their jobs, making it a win, win for both employers and employees. The PCP Testing System has become increasingly more important in industries that require a significant amount of physical labor such as the manufacturing and construction industries. However, an industry that The Physical Capacity Profile® (PCP) testing system has become increasingly more popular in is the medical field for an array of reasons. In this article, we're going to break down the three main ways the PCP Testing System can benefit medical facilities.
Let's dive in.
As mentioned above, the PCP Testing System has a variety of uses. Typically, however, it's used for post-offer employment testing for people working in physically demanding jobs to ensure their safety. The test is typically conducted in a medical facility because it requires a trained facilitator who knows how to use the machine and document the results. Because the test is used in medical facilities - even if it's not used specifically for the employees in that office - it can help these facilities bolster business, attract new clients, and offer a unique service that most don't have access to. Below are three specific reasons why medical facilities should implement The PCP Testing System:
1. The PCP Testing System is a cost-effective solution to reduce the number of patients who are injured on site
When medical facilities decide to adopt the PCP Testing System into their practice, they are able to attract clients who own companies that require an amount of physical labor. So, for instance, a Novant health facility in Charlotte (whose interview you can see here) has a manufacturing client who expressed the need to test their employees in order to prevent injuries on site. Therefore, after being hired, those employees will take the test and be evaluated in order to ensure they're placed in a position that they're physically capable fit of handling. According to Matt Lashley, the Safety Director of Dry Wall Systems Inc. (who's been using the PCP Testing System for years), the test is a "cost-effective solution that keeps employees and employers protected and safe". The test scores employees on a level 1-5, 1 being the least amount of necessary force they're able to lift or move. Level 5 means that he or she is able to lift 100+ lbs frequently. As Matt Lashley explained to us, "My company does all types of construction including both residential and commercial, so being able to see what levels our employees are at allows us to know what department would be a good fit for that employee. If someone scores a 3, they would never be asked to work in a level 5 environment. The test definitely has helped to keep employees safe".
2. Hospitals and other medical facilities will experience increased operational efficiency by using the PCP Testing System to help them meet their goals
Because the PCP Testing System is so easy to use and provides employers and employees with concrete results, hospitals and medical facilities really can't go wrong with implementing it in their facilities. One of the biggest benefits of the testing system is its efficiency and objectivity. The machine is both ADA and HIPAA Compliant and utilizes state-of-the-art proprietary software to complete a collection of multiple-strength measurements in as little as 20 minutes. Test report
results are available to the medical professional and employer within minutes. Medical facilities who currently do use the PCP testing system explain that there really is no other way to be as efficient or as objective when it comes to strength and mobility testing because the PCP Testing System has essentially standardized safety measures. Again, it's a win, win for both employer and employee.
2. It's A One-of-A-Kind Machine
As both Matt Lashley (Safety Director of Dry Wall Systems Inc.) and Dr. Jack Shepherd of Novant Health Occupational Services and Medical Director explained in their testimonials regarding their use of PCP - there really is nothing else like it on the market. When we asked Matt Lashley what his company did before they implemented the PCP testing system, he basically said they didn't know what to do for safety testing. "I like this program so much that it's hard to find anything that does even close to what PCP does for us," explained Matt. Additionally, Dr. Jack Shepherd explained that before his facilities did have the PCP Testing System, him and his co-workers had to create a make-shift safety test that was difficult to use, unpredictable and no where near as objective as the PCP Testing System.
3. The PCP testing system helps hospitals save money by reducing the number of people who leave without getting tested, but are later found to have an illness or disease
Another major benefit of the PCP Testing System is its cost-efficiency. According to pcpworks.com, the testing system creates a whopping 30% reduction in worker compensation injury rates, a 10-30% reduction in worker compensation premiums, allowing your work force to remain at 100% output. Overall, physical ability testing equals fewer injuries and cost savings. And, every company that has implemented the PCP Physical Capacity Testing System has seen tangible benefits. For instance, $1 spent testing returns $6-8
in direct medical cost savings to employers. Moreover, this doesn’t just benefit the employers - it also benefits employees. Many times employees may be unaware of a previous or minor injury that can end up being exacerbated while on the job if they’re not properly evaluated beforehand. Additionally, the PCP Testing System assures that someone who is able to perform at a level 3, for instance, isn’t put into a position where he or she is needing to perform at a level 5 and in turn, gets injured.
The PCP Testing System has shown that it’s as much of a benefit to employees as it is employers, as well as the medical providers who are performing the evaluations. By making sure that employees are in the proper condition to be able to perform at the actual level they're able to, everyone benefits. Not only does this mean that other employees won’t have to pick up the slack for someone who should not be in the position he or she is in, but it also means that injuries will be avoided at all costs. To learn more about the PCP Testing System, click here.
