MedRisk's International Scientific Advisory Board Updates Treatment Guidelines

MedRisk’s ISAB Revises its Evidence Based Treatment Guidelines for Physical Medicine

Upper Extremity, Hand/Wrist and Carpal Tunnel, and Low Back Guidelines Were Updated

King of Prussia,PA. (WorkersCompensation.com) - MedRisk’s International Scientific Advisory Board updated its evidence based, expert consensus treatment guidelines for the physical rehabilitation of upper extremity, hand and wrist, and low back injuries. ISAB is an elite panel of world-renowned specialists in physical medicine, diagnostic imaging and workers’ compensation who oversee all clinical aspects of MedRisk’s medical management programs, including the development and maintenance of its proprietary evidence-based treatment guidelines.

ISAB made changes to MedRisk’s upper extremity (shoulder and elbow) guidelines, increasing the duration and adjusting the recommended timing and frequency of visits for surgical cases. The number of visits for surgical and non-surgical hand and wrist guidelines and carpal tunnel was decreased, and ISAB recommended a reduction in visits for acute surgical low back cases.

ISAB meets annually to review current scientific literature, new treatment protocols and calls upon the expertise of its members when updating MedRisk’s guidelines. The guidelines provide recommendations beyond just the number of visits and consider such things as modality, timing, surgery, chronicity, delayed treatment, complexity, and comorbidities.

“Our treatment guidelines are unique in that they are specific to physical medicine,” says Mary O’Donoghue, MedRisk’s Chief Clinical and Product Officer.  “They power MedRisk’s Platinum Grade managed care program and provide the additional detail needed to make a real difference in the quality of care.”

Led by Philip McClure, PT, PhD, FAPTA, MedRisk’s ISAB’s members are Paul Beattie, PT, PhD, OCS, FAPTA; Rob de Bie, PT, PhD; David Deitz, MD, PhD; Jane Fedorczyk, PT, PhD, CHT, ATC; Chris Main, MA, MPhil, PhD, CPsychol; FPBsP; Lori Michener, PT, PhD, ATC, SCS, FAPTA; Marilyn Moffat, PT, DPT, PhD, FAPTA, CSCS, CEEAA; Kathryn Mueller, MD, MPH, FACOEM; Donald Murphy, DC, DACAN; Roger Nelson, PT, PhD, FAPTA; Matthew Walsworth, MD, PT; and Richard Victor, JD, PhD.

About MedRisk
MedRisk is the leader in physical rehabilitation and diagnostic imaging solutions for the workers’ compensation industry. Founded in 1994 and based in King of Prussia, Pa., MedRisk is accredited under URAC for utilization management and has successfully completed a SSAE 16 Type II examination. MedRisk’s programs deliver savings and operational efficiencies that are significantly greater than traditional programs. Customers include insurance carriers, self-insured employers, third-party administrators, state funds, and case management companies.

To make a referral or obtain more information, visit www.medrisknet.com or call 800-225-9675.

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Media Contacts: 
Helen Patterson, King Knight Communications, helen@kingknight.com, 813-690-4787

Rommy Blum, MedRisk, Inc., 800-225-9675 ext. 1150; rblum@medrisknet.com

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