Study Finds Mixed Results From State's Medical Treatment Guidelines

Lost-time duration for New York workers with low back injuries fell following the state’s implementation of workers’ comp medical treatment guidelines, according to a new study, which also found that the rate of magnetic resonance imaging increased after the guidelines took effect. In addition, the average waiting time to see a doctor increased by 40% following treatment guideline implementation, from 5.62 to 7.85 days, according to the study by Dr. Cristina Demian and colleagues at the University of Rochester. The research was published in this month’s edition of the Journa...