This story appeared in the Wisconsin Technology Council’s recent health report titled “Taking the Pulse: How Quality Healthcare Can Build a Better Bottom Line.” See the full report here: https://wisconsintechnologycouncil.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Taking-the-Pulse-Healthcare-Quality-Report.pdf 

Back injuries and injuries tied to overexertion are among the most common workplace maladies. They’re also a leading source of workers compensation claims.

A partnership between the Mayo Clinic, the UW-Eau Claire and the Eau Claire Police Department could lead to reduced back injuries for officers, research opportunities for the university and its students, and reduced workers comp costs for the clinic and the police department.

The partnership has already broadened into other areas, such as research into kidney disease. It was promoted at a recent meeting of the WiSys Technology Foundation board in Eau Claire by Chancellor Jim Schmidt, Mayo regional executive Jason Craig and a mix of faculty, students and community leaders.

It is one of only two Universal Research Agreements fostered by Mayo in the United States – Arizona State University is the other – and it’s designed to create a “triple bottom line” for the clinic, the university and the larger Eau Claire and northwest Wisconsin communities.

“Partnerships start with relationships,” Schmidt said, and UW-Eau Claire’s relationship with Mayo has reached into many aspects of the university, from its faculty researchers to the undergraduate students who carry it out and into campus projects tied to student and community health.

Craig, who is vice chair of operations for Mayo in northwest Wisconsin, said he expects the partnership to enhance the clinic’s ability to marry research, education and practice. The clinic has five hospitals and 4,000 employees in northwest Wisconsin alone.

“Our product is research,” Craig said, and improving that product helps improve clinical practice.

The police department project involves designing and testing a duty vest to replace duty belts, which carry a variety of equipment used by front-line officers. The weight and positioning of those belts can cause injuries over time. In fact, 16 percent of total WC claims nationally are related to lower back pain.

Read the full article here.