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Alberta disability duration guidelines - Introduction and use

These duration guidelines have been prepared by WCB-Alberta Medical Services to assist case managers with medical management of claims.

Recommended use of these guidelines requires:

  1. Early initial contact between the Case Manager/Expeditor and the injured worker (i.e. well before the stated maximum disability duration(s)).
  2. Early discussion with and/or referral to medical advisor/clinical advisor.

Return to work

The guidelines give an estimate of the approximate time required for workers to return to work after various work-related injuries and treatments.  It should be emphasized that the maximum time given is not necessarily a definite RTW date, but rather the time when questions should be asked as to why the worker has not returned to work.  The questions may be answered by medical reporting, discussion with the treating physician or it may be necessary to call the worker in for an independent examination.  These guidelines are specific to the injured part (e.g. fracture, tendon rupture, etc.) yet take into account that the worker need not lose time away from work if modified or alternate job duties are available or work duties may be safely performed using uninjured limbs, without compromising treatment.

Recovery time

Many factors influence recovery time, i.e. psychosocial considerations, age, associated medical conditions,  complications, and treatment including surgery and medications. It is important that these are taken into account when using these guidelines.  Refer to "Factors Influencing Disability" section for more information.

Permanent clinical impairment (PCI)

The guidelines also give an opinion concerning whether permanent clinical impairment is not anticipated, possible or expected.  If PCI is possible or expected, the guidelines indicate when the claim should be reviewed for this purpose.  In order to ensure that maximum medical recovery has been achieved, the time indicated is the earliest that a PCI review should be considered.  If there has been no surgery, PCI is from date of accident.  If surgery has been performed, PCI is from date of surgery.

In cases where surgical or therapeutic procedures have occurred, it is the underlying condition that determines the PCI, not the procedure.  If a procedure is uncomplicated it should expedite return to work and lessen the chance of a permanent clinical impairment, not vice versa.

With respect to PCI, the following terms are utilized in the guidelines:

Term Definition
Not anticipated Complete recovery anticipated
Possible Injury may result in some assessable impairment depending on case.
Expected PCI anticipated or scheduled

These guidelines were prepared from information which includes the following sources:

  • The Medical Disability Advisor - Workplace Guidelines for Disability Duration by Presley Reed, M.D., Second Edition, 1994
  • External clinical experience
  • Alberta WCB experience

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