Disability News

2006 OFFICIAL DISABILITY GUIDELINES PRODUCTS RELEASED

With its rigorous and ongoing update schedule based on strict principles of evidence-based methodology, including the annual release and publication of new editions, the ODG product line has emerged as the industry leader in disability duration and medical treatment guidelines for workers’ compensation and non-occupational disability cases.

  The 4th edition of ODG Treatment in Workers’ Comp has been fully updated and expanded based on a comprehensive and ongoing medical literature review and the annual peer-review process by the Editorial Advisory Board. Given the regular release of groundbreaking new studies on appropriate treatment published in peer-reviewed medical journals like the New England Journal of Medicine, the Journal of the American Medical Association, and hundreds more worldwide, regular updates are crucial.  In fact, new studies are posted on the Web version monthly to ensure the most current information is available to end-users when making treatment decisions.  Extensive updates have been made to each of the 15 previously included chapters while the Procedure Summaries remain linked to the most current available evidence, provided in abstract form.  Also brand new for 2006 is a chapter covering work-related injuries to the head.  Like its predecessor, the 2006 edition of ODG Treatment has been accepted by the Federal Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality (AHRQ) for inclusion in the National Guideline Clearinghouse (www.guidelines.gov).

The 11th edition of Official Disability Guidelines (ODG) reflects the inclusion of almost three million new lost time cases from data sources including the CDC, OSHA and major carrier clients of Work Loss Data Institute.  ODG provides expected length of disability information for every reportable condition. The two-pronged approach of both Summary and Best Practice Guidelines provides for different levels of intervention, from a limited claims management role by an adjuster, to active and hands on case management by a nurse practitioner. In addition, a host of other valuable features and supporting content is provided, such as average medical costs, benchmark indemnity costs, and recommendations for activity modification during the early stages of recovery and return to work.

Please contact us if you or any qualified individual with a disability you know in Washington has been discriminated against. Do not let anyone get away with violating the ADA.

	Did You Know?
	SSDI stands for Social Security Disability Insurance A system of federally provided payments to eligible workers (and, in some cases, their families) when they are unable to continue working because of a disability. Benefits begin with the sixth full month of disability and continue until the individual is capable of substantial gainful activity.