issue 004, 2016 q1

Looking back

Sedgwick’s thought leaders regularly provide insight on industry-related topics and crisis situations that may impact our clients. This quarter, we look back at several timely blog posts regarding disease outbreaks and other major health-related events.

A wake-up call for mental health

The startling news headlines have somewhat slowed since last month’s tragic Germanwings airliner crash which resulted in the deaths of all aboard. By now you are familiar with the story which repeatedly focused on the pilot’s mental state and diagnosis of depression prior to the tragedy. In light of this tragedy, new dialogue is emerging and many have begun to talk about the need for employers to reassess their policies, accommodations, and behavioral health programs to better promote mental well-being in the workplace. Click here to read the full article.

Remember the measles? They’re back

The current measles outbreak has received major news coverage in the United States because this highly contagious disease – declared eliminated in the U.S. in 2000 after decades of childhood vaccine efforts – has begun to spread again. In January alone, the number of measles cases in the U.S. climbed to 102, almost twice the number for the whole of 2012; in 2014, there were 644 cases of measles, the most reported in 20 years. Click here to read the full article.

Ebola: What you need to know

The possible spread of the Ebola virus to persons in the United States has raised concerns regarding the handling of insurance claims that might result from this disease. As the leading North American provider of claims management services, Sedgwick offers many resources to assist our clients during times of uncertainty. From the initial report of the claim, each line of business has best practices in place to manage claims related to threats to public health, such as the Ebola virus. Click here to read the full article.

Ebola claims: Will hospitals pay the price?

The recent appearance of Ebola in the United States has given rise to claims concerns at multiple levels for hospitals and other healthcare providers. The first U.S. case of Ebola came after a traveler from West Africa reportedly arrived without symptoms and sought care in a Dallas emergency department, only to be released home. When symptoms arose, he soon returned to that same hospital, was diagnosed with Ebola, and was treated but succumbed to his disease. Click here to read the full article.

Managing Ebola outbreak risk: 6 steps to take now

I write this reflecting on the flurry of news around recent Ebola activity. There isn’t one of us in the healthcare risk management profession who wants our organization to be the subject of unfavorable news headlines, and it’s important to take lessons learned and contemplate how to use them to improve safety of our patients, staff and providers. Click here to read the full article.

Zika virus: The threat and potential risk

Employers receiving news about the spread of the Zika virus may be considering the risk for their employees and potential claims filed by individuals who contract the disease. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Zika virus is transmitted to people primarily through the bite of an infected Aedes aegypti species mosquito. These are the same mosquitoes that spread dengue and chikungunya viruses. Mosquitos become infected when they feed on a person already infected with the virus. Click here to read the full article.

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