State agency picks off-site location for doctor’s experience

Medical expertise is the reason University of Iowa employees injured on the job now must drive to a North Liberty clinic for treatment, a state official said.

UI employees previously had the choice of two UI-affiliated clinics after on-the-job injury: the UI HealthWorks in North Liberty or the Workers Health Clinic at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics on campus. Most chose the latter.

The state decided all workplace injuries of UI employees must be treated at the North Liberty site, however. It was a question of broader experience in occupational medicine, Iowa Department of Administrative Services spokesman Robert Bailey said. That's the department that oversees workplace injury programs and worker compensation for all state employees.

Dr. Henri Cuddihy at the UI HealthWorks Clinic in North Liberty has 20 years of experience in occupational medicine in a broad range of areas. Dr. Patrick Hartley at the Workers Health Clinic at the hospital has more specialized interests in occupational medicine, a hospital official said.

Bailey noted that staff transportation costs are covered.

“While it's a time inconvenience, it's not a financial one,” he said of the change.

Employees with significant injuries are referred to specialists, often at the UI hospital, and emergencies still can be treated at UI Hospitals and Clinics, Bailey said.

Richard Saunders, UI assistant vice president for human resources, sent notice to employees last week of the change.

Since the change, Saunders has heard employee concerns about the inconvenience of driving to North Liberty.

“If you were actually working in the hospital and you strain your back, you take the elevator down two flights and walk down the hall,” he said. “You're out of the work environment for a shorter period of time.”

Some UI employees preferred the North Liberty site, however, because of parking access, he said.

About 1,000 of nearly 25,000 total UI employees seek treatment each year for workplace injuries.