Pressure Garment Prescription

NQTS offer pressure garment prescription for clients that have inflammation of the veins, spider veins, varicose veins, thrombosis, leg ulcers and lymphoedema. Compression stockings lend the veins support in exerting a medical correct compression gradient onto the leg. The pressure decreases the diameter of the leg enabling the venous valves to close again, thus reducing the amount of blood flowing back down the legs which regulates the venous return.

Pressure Garment Prescription

Ergonomic Audits and Advice

PErforM- Participatory Ergonomic Workshops – NQTS provides PErforM which is a program researched and developed by the Workplace Health and Safety Queensland. PErforM incorporates the process of consultation between workers, supervisors, managers and safety personnel to identifying and rating risk factors specific to their workplace, and identifying control mechanisms to reduce musculoskeletal strains and sprains.

PErforM was initially developed by Workplace Health and Safety Queensland (WHSQ), for general industry, as a part of a manual tasks research project. The PErforM program has since been modified for use in the surface and underground coal mining industries as well as the civil construction industry. North Queensland Therapy Services offers tailed PErforM Participatory Programs to companies looking for a wholistic approach to obtaining input from all areas of the workforce when managing manual tasks risks. Through this program participants will be educated to:

Identify risk factors
Systematically assess hazardous manual tasks,
Develop and implement controls,
Train workers and contractors in the risk assessment process.
Play an essential role in reducing the risk of injury in workplaces.

Other Ergonomic Audits and Advice – NQTS are able to assist companies to determine manual handling risks associated with current workplace activities. Ergonomic standards such as White Papers and evidence-based standards are considered to determine the risk of the job to causing injuries. Control options are discussed in our reports, though trials and consultation is recommended prior to implementing any changes. Anna Nicholls is a member of the Human Factors and Ergonomic Society of Australasia. She is able to conduct ergonomic and risk assessments of the workplaces, considering the design, equipment used and patterns of activities which contributes to increasing musculoskeletal injuries. Objective data assists managers to make effective decisions, and ultimately reduce the significant costs of injuries. Workplace Observations – Manual Handling Observations – Employers that are looking for a proactive approach to manual handling training, workplace observations is an onsite-feedback approach. This involves an Occupational Therapist attending worksites with a supervisor to observe workers perform normal workplace duties, then approaching them in relation to their manual handling techniques. Workers are congratulated on good postures/ work practices and improvements that can be made will be discussed or provided in report format.

Office Ergonomics

Following illness or injury, a person’s ability to learn to drive or resume driving may be affected by physical, cognitive, perceptual and/or behavioural changes, compromising the safety of both the driver and other road users. Anna Nicholls is qualified to perform practical driving assessments to assist doctors to determine an individual’s ability to continue driving safely. Driving modifications can also be trialled, though this service may have to occur in Townsville as there is only one driving school with these modifications available for testing and practice. Following illness or injury, a person’s ability to learn to drive or resume driving may be affected by physical, cognitive, perceptual and/or behavioural changes, compromising the safety of both the driver and other road users. Before returning to driving you should seek medical advice to be assessed. When your doctor or medical team treating you feel that you may be able to resume driving, an occupational therapist that specialises in driving will be able to assess you to assist doctors to determine your ability to continue driving safely. Driving modifications can also be trialled, though this service may have to occur in Townsville as there is only one driving school with these modifications available for testing and practice.

Step 1 – Off Road Driving Assessment / Pre-Driving Screen

An off road assessment is used to determine if your illness or injury has caused any problems that may affect your ability to drive safely.

The assessment tests:

Physical abilities
Vision
Reaction times
Judgement and planning
Knowledge of road rules and signs
Strategic thinking skills e.g. Decision making

The Off-road assessment results will assist your occupational therapist in determining:

Your readiness for an On-road assessment; and
If vehicle modifications are required

Step 2 – On Road Assessment

The On road assessment is usually carried out on the same day as the Off road assessment on the guidelines that a dual controlled car and driving instructor are available. The vehicle may be automatic or manual with additional modifications if required.The On road assessment takes approximately 50 minutes during which the occupational therapist will observe from the rear seat to assess the potential effects your illness or injury may have on your driving skills. After the drive, the therapist and driving instructor meet briefly and then sit down with you and give you feedback regarding the drive.

What Happens after the Assessment

Following the assessment, the occupational therapist and driving instructor may advise you of the following options:

Unsafe to drive at the present time
Vehicle modifications and lessons to learn to use controls are required.
Required driving lessons to develop safe driving skills
You are safe to drive

Your occupational therapist makes the recommendations. However, it is your referring doctor who must make the final decision on resuming driving.

Costs if Insured

If you are covered by some form of compensation (eg. WorkCover, Private Disability Insurance or Compulsory Third Party Insurance), the cost of the assessment may be met by them.For all other costs involved with a driving assessment contact our office to receive a quote.