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Tag Archives: nurse consultant

August 08 2025

“I’m Not Just Treating a Back—There’s a Person Behind That Pain”: What Doctors Are Really Facing

Author jrmnurse Posted on Categories Pain Management and Relief, Workers’ Compensation and Occupational Health

By Dr. Rosie Moore, DNP, RN, LNC, LEHP, BC-FMP
“Understanding the Human Side of Injury Recovery: Real Stories, Real Struggles, Real Solutions” – Part 2 of 3

Dr. Patel’s Day

Dr. Patel glanced at her overflowing patient list. One after another, she saw patients struggling with chronic pain, complicated workers’ comp cases, and frustrated employers breathing down her neck for updates. There simply wasn’t enough time to give each person the whole care they deserved.

She wanted to do more—understand their stories, connect the dots, and help them heal completely. But the pressure of paperwork, insurance approvals, and employer demands left her exhausted and often feeling like she was just putting out fires.

The Pressure Cooker of Clinical Practice

Doctors and medical providers are caught in a high-stakes balancing act every day. They strive to:

  • Deliver quality patient care while managing mounting administrative tasks

  • Navigate the complexities of workers’ compensation regulations

  • Communicate with employers, insurers, and patients who each have different priorities

  • Keep up-to-date with evolving treatment guidelines and functional medicine advances

This tightrope walk often leaves little room to address the root causes behind pain or chronic conditions.

Caught in the Middle

Providers frequently find themselves stuck between:

  • Patients hoping for relief and understanding

  • Insurers demanding cost-effective, evidence-based treatments

  • Employers needing timely, safe return-to-work plans

Miscommunications can lead to delayed approvals, treatment gaps, and increased frustration for everyone involved.

The Gaps No One Sees

Beyond the clinical symptoms are the psychosocial factors: anxiety, fear, family stress, and workplace pressures. Without time or resources to explore these fully, patient outcomes may suffer.

This is where collaborative care models—like incorporating functional medicine and personalized case management—can bridge the gap.

Functional Medicine as a Collaborative Bridge

I partner with providers like Dr. Patel to complement their care by:

  • Offering root-cause evaluations that consider lifestyle, nutrition, and stress

  • Coordinating between medical providers, employers, and insurers

  • Supporting patients emotionally and educationally throughout recovery

  • Reducing provider administrative burden with clear communication and updates

Together, we create a smoother, more comprehensive healing experience.

Let’s Work Together

If you’re a provider facing these challenges, I’d love to discuss how my functional medicine nurse consulting can lighten your load and improve your patients’ outcomes.

Call to Action:
Let me help you create smoother recoveries and stronger outcomes—for your patients and your peace of mind.
Contact me for a collaboration conversation: jrmnurseconsultants.com

July 07 2025

Florida Workers’ Compensation: Clarifying the 30-Day Work Status Update Requirement

Author jrmnurse Posted on Categories Workers’ Compensation and Occupational Health

By Rosie Moore, DNP, RN, LNC, LEHP
Functional Medicine Nurse Consultant & Workers’ Compensation Case Manager

One of the most common questions I receive from providers is whether they need to see an injured worker every 30 days to update their work status. While Florida Statute § 440.13(2)(c) is often cited, there tends to be confusion surrounding its interpretation.

Here’s what the statute actually says:

“The physician shall release the employee to return to work with or without restrictions, and such release shall be reported to the employer and the carrier. The physician shall reevaluate the injured worker at intervals not exceeding 30 days, unless the carrier authorizes less frequent visits.”

But what does this really mean in practical terms?

It does not mean the provider must physically see the patient every 30 days. Rather, they must ensure that updated work status documentation is issued at least every 30 days. If the worker has not been seen in person but continues under care with no change in status, the provider may issue a note or DWC-25 indicating that the work status remains the same and that it is being continued based on previous clinical findings.

This clarification is essential, especially for providers managing high caseloads or patients with chronic injuries who may not require in-person follow-up that frequently.

Best Practice Tip:
Document clearly that the extension of restrictions or duty status is based on prior clinical evaluation, and indicate the date of the last in-person visit. This keeps the employer, insurer, and injured worker all aligned.

If you’re a provider navigating Florida workers’ compensation cases and want help streamlining your documentation while remaining compliant, I’m here to help.

Contact Rosie Moore, DNP, RN, LEHP, LNC, BC-FMP
Email: rosie@jrmnurseconsultants.com
Phone: 407-760-1662
Website: www.jrmnurseconsultants.com

July 07 2025

Clarifying 30-Day Reassessment and Work Status for OWCP Providers

Author jrmnurse Posted on Categories Workers’ Compensation and Occupational Health

By Rosie Moore, DNP, RN, LNC, LEHP
Functional Medicine Nurse Consultant & Workers’ Compensation Case Manager

If you’re a provider treating a federal employee through the U.S. Department of Labor (OWCP), you may be wondering how often you need to see the patient in person in order to address work status and provide documentation such as the CA-17.

Here’s what you need to know:

There is no OWCP rule that requires an in-person visit every 30 days.
While many case managers or employers prefer monthly updates, OWCP allows for completion of the CA-17 and work status documentation based on chart review, as long as your determination is based on recent clinical documentation and your professional judgment.

Can I Complete a CA-17 Without Seeing the Patient?

Yes. If the injured worker is stable and there is no new clinical change, you may complete a CA-17 indicating that work status remains unchanged. You must clearly document that your opinion is based on a review of existing records and that no in-person visit occurred.

Best Practice Language to Include in Your Note:

“Work status extended based on review of existing medical records. No in-person evaluation was conducted at this time.”

This protects you and clearly communicates the basis of your decision.

Reminder: OWCP Forms Are for Administrative Use

The CA-17 and similar forms are tools used by the employer and claims examiner to track capacity for duty. OWCP does not regulate a strict timeline for follow-up unless medical necessity or case complexity requires it.

Final Thoughts

As always, clinical judgment comes first. If the injured worker’s condition changes or you need to reassess capacity for work, schedule a visit. But if nothing has changed, chart review may be appropriate — and acceptable to OWCP — when updating paperwork.

Need Help Staying Compliant Without Extra Work?
As a nurse consultant, I help providers stay on top of OWCP documentation, functional evaluations, and return-to-work protocols—without unnecessary visits.

rosie@jrmnurseconsultants.com
 jrmnurseconsultants.com
 407-760-1662

July 07 2025

How JRM Nurse Consultants Supports Injured Workers

Author jrmnurse Posted on Categories Nurse Consulting

Functional medicine and care coordination that help injured workers safely return to work — while supporting providers, employers, and insurers.

Starting JRM Nurse Consultants was born out of a deep commitment to helping injured workers and healthcare providers navigate the often-complex world of workers’ compensation and injury recovery.

As a Doctor of Nursing Practice and Functional Medicine Nurse Consultant, I witnessed firsthand the struggles many injured individuals face—not just with their physical recovery but also with the overwhelming administrative hurdles that come with workers’ compensation claims. Providers, too, often found themselves burdened by paperwork, compliance requirements, and fragmented communication, which could delay care and impact outcomes.

JRM Nurse Consultants was created to fill that gap. We offer a unique blend of clinical expertise and holistic support, focusing on streamlining medical documentation, case management, and care coordination. But what truly sets us apart is our functional medicine approach. We look beyond symptoms and treatment dates, addressing the root causes of chronic pain, inflammation, stress, and other factors that can delay healing.

At JRM Nurse Consultants, our commitment is to compassionate care while fully recognizing the important roles that insurance carriers, employers, and providers play in the workers’ compensation process. We understand that insurers prioritize managing claims efficiently and reducing costs, and we support these goals by helping providers navigate the complex workers’ comp system with clear, accurate documentation and ongoing communication with claims adjusters. Our approach integrates functional medicine to address the root causes of injury, promoting faster, safer return-to-work outcomes that benefit injured workers, employers, and insurers alike. By bridging clinical care with system navigation and collaboration, we ensure everyone’s needs are met — protecting health while supporting cost-effective, compliant claims management.

Our services include timely, accurate medical documentation aligned with state and federal workers’ compensation requirements, ongoing case monitoring, facilitating treatment authorizations, and referral coordination to trusted providers. Additionally, we provide functional medicine coaching that empowers injured workers to actively participate in their recovery through nutrition, stress management, and lifestyle adjustments.

Since launching JRM Nurse Consultants, we have proudly supported hundreds of injured workers and their healthcare teams, helping them achieve better outcomes and smoother return-to-work transitions. Our mission is to transform injury recovery into a more compassionate experience—one that recognizes the whole person, not just the injury.

Ready to Learn More?

If you’re a provider, employer, or adjuster seeking a collaborative approach to injury recovery — or an injured worker navigating a complicated case — we’d love to talk.
📧 Email: rosie@jrmnurseconsultants.com
🌐 Visit: www.jrmnurseconsultants.com
📞 Call: 407-760-1662

Let’s work together to create safer, smoother return-to-work outcomes — with care that truly addresses the whole picture.

March 03 2020

COVID-19 Should I Be Concerned

Author Rosie's Nurse corner Posted on Categories Health/Wellness

There is a lot of stress and fear globally regarding the COVID-19 and what we are supposed to be doing to protect ourselves.  The media, friends and family, popular theme parks, businesses including airlines, cruises, and places of attractions, all have something to share about the COVID-19.  This is a household word that gets used in households on a daily basis probably more times than we want it to be.  Should we be concerned? That is an outstanding yes!! Why?  Well, first of all, let’s dissect what is happening, fear ( false evidence appearing real).

There is a lot of things that we are uncertain of and many times people will provide us information that may not be accurate.  They are not telling us to be mean, but they themselves are scared because they do not have all the facts.  Our healthcare professionals are leaning on the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization ( WHO) to provide them the latest facts.  I am sure there are doctors who specialize in microbiology ( that famous petri dish that I hated in college) to do a battery of tests on this organism.  They learn something new each day.  There is not a specific cure as the virus has not been here long enough to develop a vaccine against it.  This is what causes the fear of not having a cure, not knowing if you contract it what will happen to you, your family, and your job, not to mention your friends.  So now that we dissected what the real issue here is fear, let’s see if we can put your mind at ease while we let the professionals figure out how to eradicate this virus.

“First of all Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness
that can spread from person to person. The virus that causes
COVID-19 is a novel coronavirus that was first identified during
an investigation into an outbreak in Wuhan, China.”

“The virus is thought to spread mainly between people who
are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet)
through respiratory droplets produced when an infected
person coughs or sneezes. It also may be possible that a person
can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has
the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or
possibly their eyes, but this is not thought to be the main
way the virus spreads.”

The symptoms are Fever, Cough, and Shortness of breath.  Pretty common symptoms that can be overlooked for many upper respiratory infections.  These symptoms can manifest themselves at any time in the 2-week window after becoming infected.

The way to protect yourself and others from catching the COVID-19 is to practice washing your hands for 20 seconds with antibacterial soap before eating, after eating, after using the bathroom, after touching your nose, eyes, or mouth.  You should also wash your hands after coming from the grocery store or any other public place that is not your home.  If you do not have access to soap and water right away uses the antibacterial right away.  If you shake hands with someone, do not be afraid to use your antibacterial.  I know people may frown at that and think you are germophobic, but really it is okay if questioned a simple explanation stating that you want to practice good infection control and want to be certain that you do not compromise them or your family is enough stated.

Always wash your hands after preparing food and serving or taking care of others ( no matter age).  Avoid contact with people that are sick and if you feel sick, stay home.  do not try to go to church, restaurants, activities, school, or any public spaces with multiple crowds and pawn it off on allergies. Everyone knows allergies are not contagious so many people who cannot afford to stay home because they do not get paid for being out, tell everyone that they have allergies.  Yes someone may have allergies but until this is verified by a doctor or nurse practitioner, stay home!

Be sure to clean surfaces with antibacterial wipes or household disinfectants as the virus can live on surfaces and if touched it can cause someone to get the virus.  When you come home from the outside, take your shoes off outside clean the bottom of the shoe and do take a shower at night before bed or if possible as soon as you come home from work.

I know this all may sound excessive, but if you follow good infection control, it will help decrease the stress that the media is causing you by playing the news 24/7.  Limit the times that you watch the news so that you are able to function on a day to day basis.  Have a cup of chamomile tea for bed to allow your mind to relax and get rest.  Start your day with something positive such as a daily devotion, prayer, or if you do not do any of the latter, watch a tv show that brings laughter to you.  Listen to the news midday or afternoon, this will give you at least what happened in the evening and the morning and not bombard you.

Sick Woman Cold

 

I hope that this has brought you some comfort.  For specific updated information go directly to one of these sites:

CDC/Center for disease control

WHO/World Health Organization

OSHA/Occupational and Safety Health Administration

As a nurse, I have to practice above and beyond the CDC, WHO, and OSHA rules so that I can protect myself and my patients.  So I understand and get everyone’s concerns right away.

Be blessed and be safe.

 

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