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.

Wound Infection, Postoperative


Related Terms

  • Nosocomial Infection

Differential Diagnosis

Specialists

  • General Surgeon
  • Hand Surgeon
  • Infectious Disease Internist
  • Orthopedic Surgeon

Comorbid Conditions

  • Cancer
  • Decreased blood volume
  • Diabetes
  • Hypothermia
  • Immune system disorders
  • Malnutrition
  • Other infection
  • Vascular disease

Factors Influencing Duration

The type and extent of the infection, its treatment, the presence of complications, and the individual's response to treatment will influence the length of disability. In addition, those of advanced age or those who smoke have prolonged wound healing that might influence the length of disability.

Medical Codes

ICD-9-CM:
998.51 - Infected Postoperative Seroma
998.59 - Other Postoperative Infection; Intra-abdominal Postoperative; Stitch Postoperative; Subphrenic Postoperative; Wound Postoperative; Septicemia Postoperative
998.6 - Persistent Postoperative Fistula

Diagnosis

History: The individual will complain of increased pain in the incision and operative area. Individuals may report feeling feverish or chilled.

Physical exam: The cardinal signs of wound infection are one or more of the following: pain, tenderness, localized swelling, redness, or heat. The examining physician may notice swelling along the incision that causes increased tightness of the sutures. Lightly feeling (palpating) the wound may reveal hard, warm areas that the patient reports as being tender. The doctor may cut the sutures to allow further inspection of a portion of the incision. The individual will often guard the incision during movement.

Tests: Cultures and antibiotic sensitivity testing of wound drainage are taken. A complete blood count (CBC) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) may be done. Other tests include identifying specific proteins on the infective organism using immunoassay techniques or looking for specific antibodies. Laboratories may now use RNA or DNA sequencing studies and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays to discover the offending organism, and ultrasound studies may point to the necessity for wound drainage.

Source: Medical Disability Advisor






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