Industrial Health Services by Dr. L. E. Puodziukas

DMC's Industrial Health Services offers a broad spectrum of consultation services in Occupational and Industrial Medicine. The clinical practice has included a large number of companies and organizations in the Eastern GTA, Region of Durham, and beyond.

Services include:

Disability Management - Medical management of injuries provides an opportunity to educate the employee regarding his/her treatment, prognosis, recovery milestones, and opportunities for modified work. This process is not meant to replace or interfere with the role of the employee's primary caregiver however, 25% to 30% of working age adults in southern Ontario no longer have a “regular" family doctor. WSIB related documentation from walk-in-clinics can often leave much to be desired.

Consultation for Return to Work (Fitness for Duty - These assessments, a fter illness or injury, require impartiality, objectivity, credibility, and knowledge of the particular workplace.

Specialized examinations – Are available in those situations where medical clearances are mandated such as: forklift operator, heavy equipment operator, AZ/DZ truck driver, and respirator fitness.

General assessments - For injured or employees whose work capabilities need to be reviewed in the context of their diagnosis and physical findings. Customarily management may receive very limited actual information as to the employee's condition and prognosis: the usual "sick notes" can be illegible, cursory, biased, and rarely, adversarial.

Specialist Referrals - When medically indicated, referrals for investigations or a specialist's assessment can be arranged to assist in obtaining an opinion of employability, job suitability, or fitness for duty.

Biological surveillance for Designated Substances : Acrylonitrle, Arsenic, Asbestos, Benzene, C.O.E., Ethylene Oxide, Isocyanates, Lead, Mercury, Silica, and Vinyl Chloride. Possible designated substances include Formaldehyde, Cadmium, Chromium, Styrene, Nickel, and Coal Tar products.

Post Offer Pre-placement Examinations . These are sometimes mandated by the employers' policy or by various licensing requirements. Comprehensive history is obtained and physical examination is completed. Attention is directed to document/record a baseline catalogue of abnormal findings, especially in the musculoskeletal area, in order to furnish evidence upon which to base an application for SIEF relief in the future.

Independent Medical Examination - with a specific specialist can be arranged in very special circumstances, such as in Section 36 cases, as well, an Occupational IME is available.