32,000 hospital admissions per year - Back to work together
Last year, Suva registered a good 32,000 hospital admissions among its insured persons. Almost three quarters of hospital admissions were due to recreational accidents, mainly while cycling, playing football or skiing. As prolonged incapacity to work reduces the chances of returning to work, early and comprehensive support is crucial. In addition to professional support, the personal environment of those affected also plays an important role.
Life is good as long as nothing happens ... Sometimes it only takes a few seconds to completely change a life - a brief moment of distraction and an accident happens. After that, it can take weeks, months or years for people to find their way back into everyday life and working life.
One of Suva's key concerns is to help accident victims back into life and back to work. Studies show that after six months of incapacity for work, the chances of returning to work are halved. It is therefore important that those affected are able to return to work as quickly as possible. Early and holistic support is crucial for this.
Significantly more accidents in leisure time than at work
Last year, Suva was notified of a good 32,000 hospital admissions of its insured persons following an accident or occupational illness. The majority of these, around 23,800 cases, were leisure accidents. Occupational accidents followed closely behind with just over 8,000 cases. A small proportion of hospital admissions related to occupational illnesses (just over 200) and accidents involving the self-employed (around 150). Men were affected in just under 80 percent of hospital admissions. Most accidents resulting in hospitalization were recorded among 50 to 59-year-olds.
Most frequent accidents: Cycling, playing football, skiing
Accidents requiring hospitalization occurred mainly while cycling (2667 admissions), playing football (2512 admissions) and skiing (2611 admissions). The average length of stay in hospital was four days. Hospital stays of more than 30 days were mainly caused by accidents while riding motorcycles, cycling and working in the house and garden. The most common injuries were fractures, muscle, tendon and meniscus tears and contusions. Knees, shoulders and ankles were particularly affected. Five months after the accident, 71% of those who were hospitalized were fully fit for work again.
Quick return to work
Admission to hospital is often a difficult time for those affected. This makes competent and holistic care all the more important. "For a successful return to everyday life and work, it is not only the commitment of Suva, the doctors or therapists that is important, but also the support of the personal environment," says Barbara Ingold Boner, Head of Claims Processing at Suva. "Family members, friends, employers and work colleagues can help with recovery through attentiveness and empathy."
Employers in particular also have a decisive influence on whether a rapid and successful reintegration after an accident or occupational illness is successful. Returning to work as soon as possible is a win-win situation for everyone - including financially. This is because lower daily allowance and pension costs benefit insured persons in the form of lower premiums.
Current Suva campaign: tips for successful reintegration
Suva's new reintegration campaign shows how family members, friends, employers and colleagues can effectively support those affected in their return to everyday life and work. It will run until the end of September on various channels (TV, online, social media, print).
Source and further information on Suva's reintegration campaign: www.suva.ch
