title: Magnetic resonance imaging for low back injuries: appropriate use in managing workers' compensation claims.
abstract: Workers' compensation claims resulting from low back injuries are a major concern for U.S. employees and employers. Employees seek resolution of their injuries and related symptoms and rapid return to gainful employment. Employers are eager to help them, as they must absorb the health care and disability costs incurred. Health care providers involved with workers' compensation claims are charged with providing appropriate services to meet the needs of both employees and employers. Magnetic resonance imaging has become the gold standard for diagnosing low back injuries. This study provided data necessary for health care providers to design protocols using magnetic resonance imaging in managing workers' compensation claims for low back injuries.
authors.affiliation: Occumed, Peachtree City, GA, USA.
authors.forename: Cecelia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Eley
mesh_terms: D002985:Clinical Protocols; D003363:Cost Control; D017049:Employer Health Costs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005845:Georgia; D017048:Health Care Costs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D007344:Insurance Claim Reporting; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016294:Models, Nursing; D024802:Nurse's Role; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D009736:Nursing Process; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D009785:Occupational Health Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D009936:Organizational Innovation; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D018579:Patient Selection; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014942:Workers' Compensation / Q000458:organization & administration*