Sedentary Work Exerting up to 10 pounds (4.5 kg) of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time, but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and other sedentary criteria are met.

Light Work Exerting up to 20 pounds (9.1 kg) of force occasionally and/or up to 10 pounds (4.5 kg) of force frequently, and/or negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. Physical demand requirements are in excess of those for Sedentary Work. Light Work usually requires walking or standing to a significant degree. However, if the use of the arm and/or leg controls requires exertion of forces greater than that for Sedentary Work and the worker sits most the time, the job is rated Light Work.

Medium Work Exerting up to 50 (22.7 kg) pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 25 pounds (11.3 kg) of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds (4.5 kg) of forces constantly to move objects.

Heavy Work Exerting up to 100 pounds (45.4 kg) of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds (22.7 kg) of force frequently, and/or in excess of 20 pounds (9.1 kg) of force constantly to move objects.

Very Heavy Work Exerting in excess of 100 pounds (45.4 kg) of force occasionally, and/or in excess of 50 pounds (22.7 kg) of force frequently, and/or in excess of 20 pounds (9.1 kg) of force constantly to move objects.

Job Classification

In most duration tables, five job classifications are displayed. These job classifications are based on the amount of physical effort required to perform the work. The classifications correspond to the Strength Factor classifications described in the United States Department of Labor's Dictionary of Occupational Titles. The following definitions are quoted directly from that publication.

Sedentary Work Exerting up to 10 pounds (4.5 kg) of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time, but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and other sedentary criteria are met.

Light Work Exerting up to 20 pounds (9.1 kg) of force occasionally and/or up to 10 pounds (4.5 kg) of force frequently, and/or negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. Physical demand requirements are in excess of those for Sedentary Work. Light Work usually requires walking or standing to a significant degree. However, if the use of the arm and/or leg controls requires exertion of forces greater than that for Sedentary Work and the worker sits most the time, the job is rated Light Work.

Medium Work Exerting up to 50 (22.7 kg) pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 25 pounds (11.3 kg) of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds (4.5 kg) of forces constantly to move objects.

Heavy Work Exerting up to 100 pounds (45.4 kg) of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds (22.7 kg) of force frequently, and/or in excess of 20 pounds (9.1 kg) of force constantly to move objects.

Very Heavy Work Exerting in excess of 100 pounds (45.4 kg) of force occasionally, and/or in excess of 50 pounds (22.7 kg) of force frequently, and/or in excess of 20 pounds (9.1 kg) of force constantly to move objects.

Sepsis


Related Terms

  • Bacteremia
  • Septic Shock
  • Septicemia

Differential Diagnosis

Specialists

  • Cardiologist, Cardiovascular Physician
  • Emergency Medicine Physician
  • Gastroenterologist
  • Infectious Disease Internist
  • Internal Medicine Physician
  • Nephrologist
  • Neurologist
  • Pulmonologist
  • Urologist

Comorbid Conditions

Factors Influencing Duration

The cause and severity of sepsis, timeliness of treatment, age and health status of the individual, and the response to treatment will influence the length of disability. The development of septic shock or organ failure or the presence of drug-resistant organisms will greatly extend the length of disability.

Medical Codes

ICD-9-CM:
995.91 - Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome Due to Infectious Process without Organ Dysfunction; Sepsis
995.92 - Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome Due to Infectious Process with Organ Dysfunction; Severe Sepsis

Failure to Recover

If an individual fails to recover within the expected maximum duration period, the reader may wish to consider the following questions to better understand the specifics of an individual's medical case.

Regarding diagnosis:

  • Did individual have fever and chills? Dyspnea? Tachycardia? A feeling of apprehension, confusion, or disorientation?
  • Has individual recently had surgery?
  • Has individual been taking immunosuppressant drug, chemotherapy, antibiotic therapy, or corticosteroids for an extended time?
  • Does individual have a chronic illness or debilitating disease such as cancer, AIDS, or cirrhosis?
  • Has individual recently had pneumonia or other severe infection?
  • Has individual had a puncture wound, deep cut, or burn recently?
  • Does individual have an indwelling catheter, IV catheter, or other invasive device?
  • On exam, was individual hypotensive?
  • Was there high fever? Cold hands and feet? Cyanosis? Weak pulse? Flushed skin?
  • Was individual's mental status altered?
  • Was blood culture done? Were infective organisms present in the blood? Spinal fluid?
  • Were urinalysis and urine culture done? CBC? Blood chemistries? Blood gas analysis?
  • Did chest x-ray revealed pneumonia?
  • Was CT scan done?
  • Has the site of infection been determined? Infective organism identified?
  • Have conditions with similar symptoms been ruled out?

Regarding treatment:

  • Was individual hospitalized at the time of diagnosis? After diagnosis? Treated promptly with IV antibiotics?
  • Was the causative organism cultured for antibiotic resistance? Was the infective organism sensitive to a specific antibiotic?
  • Was the cause of the sepsis an abscess? Was it drained?
  • Was the cause of the sepsis necrotic tissue? Was it removed?
  • Was sepsis caused by a fungal infection? Was it treated with antifungal drugs?
  • Have catheters and other devices suspected as causing or aggravating the infection been changed or removed?
  • Is individual being treated with immunosuppressant drugs? Is it possible to discontinue immunosuppressant therapy until individual has recovered?

Regarding prognosis:

  • Is individual's employer able to accommodate any necessary restrictions?
  • Is individual pregnant? Age 65 or older?
  • Does individual have any underlying chronic or otherwise debilitating disease conditions that may affect the ability to recover?
  • Has individual developed the complication of DIC?
  • Did sepsis progress to organ failure? Which organ(s)?

Source: Medical Disability Advisor


Feedback
Send us comments, suggestions, corrections, or anything you would like us to hear. If you are not logged in, you must include your email address, in order for us to respond. We cannot, unfortunately, respond to every comment. If you are seeking medical advice, please contact your physician. Thank you!
Send this comment to:
Sales Customer Support Content Development
 
This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter covered. It is published with the understanding that the author, editors, and publisher are not engaged in rendering medical, legal, accounting or other professional service. If medical, legal, or other expert assistance is required, the service of a competent professional should be sought. We are unable to respond to requests for advice. Any Sales inquiries should include an email address or other means of communication.