2006 OFFICIAL DISABILITY GUIDELINES PRODUCTS RELEASED
ODG and ODG Treatment have been released with the most current treatment and return-to-work information for workers' comp and non-occupational disability

Independent database development company Work Loss Data Institute announces the release of the 2006 Official Disability Guidelines product line, including the 11^th annual edition of Official Disability Guidelines and the 4^th annual edition of ODG Treatment in Workers’ Comp.

  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 4^th 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 11^th 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. 

“With workers’ compensation legislation pending in many U.S. states and international entities, the 2006 release of the ODG product line is right on target,” notes Senior Medical Editor, Dr. Charles W. Kennedy, Jr., MD.  “The only way to achieve real and lasting cost-savings in workers’ comp is through the delivery of quality and timely care.  This is our goal, accomplished through an objective and independent approach focused on evidence-based medicine and regular updates.”

Evidence-based, independent and easy to use, the complete ODG 2006 product line is available for $325 on the Web or in textbook format, with multi-user discounts available.  Without ODG Treatment, Official Disability Guidelines is available alone at the cost of $195.  Raw data files for integration with internal software applications or for computer-automated benchmarking are also available.  Contact WLDI regarding licensing fees.

For more information, contact Work Loss Data Institute (WLDI), publisher of the ODG product line.  WLDI is an independent database development company focused on workplace health and productivity, based in Encinitas, CA.

www.worklossdata.com