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The Medical Treatment Guidelines (F252-010-000) are published by L&I as an educational tool for medical providers. Putting medical treatment guidelines/review criteria together into a publication is an ongoing effort of the Office of the Medical Director in collaboration with the medical community.
Additionally, the guidelines/review criteria are implemented in prospective utilization review management programs.
How to get a copy of the Medical Treatment Guidelines
| Download: | Medical Treatment Guidelines (859 KB PDF / 5 min) |
|---|---|
| Order in print: | How to Order in Print |
| Toll Free line: | 1-800-848-0811 - Copy mailed to you free of charge. Alternate format also available. |
 Get Help Downloading Files. | |
Medical Treatment Guidelines by Chapter
Below is the Medical Treatment Guidelines broken out into their own chapters. All files are in PDF format.
| Medical Treatment Guidelines by Chapter |
| Ankle/Foot Surgery (269 KB) |
| Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (290 KB) |
| Cauda Equina (259 KB) |
| Cervical Nerve Root, Single (265 KB) |
| Cervical or Lumbar Facet Neurontomy, Criteria for (280 KB) |
| Chronic Pain Clinic Treatment, Review Criteria for Inpatient (261 KB) |
| Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) (291 KB) |
| Controlled Substances (288 KB) |
| Facet Neurotomy (280 KB) |
| Fibromyalgia (277 KB) |
| Knee Surgery (294 KB) |
| Low Back Pain, Guideline for Hospitalization for (273 KB) |
| Lumbar Fusion, Guidelines for (Arthrodesis) (275 KB) |
| Lumbar Nerve Root , Single (Lumbar Laminectomy) (264 KB) |
| Lumbar Spine, MRI of the (261 KB) |
| Neurontin in the Management of Neuropathic Pain, Guideline for the use of (269 KB) |
| Outpatient Prescription of Oral Opioids for Chronic, Noncancer Pain (555 KB) |
| Porphyria (273 KB) |
| Psychiatric Conditions (284 KB) |
| Shoulder Surgery, Criteria for (281 KB) |
| Thoracic Outlet Surgery (269 KB) |
How to use the guidelines
Although doctors are expected to be familiar with the guidelines and follow the recommendations, L&I also understands that guidelines are not hard-and-fast rules. Good medical judgment is important in deciding how to use and interpret this information. A listing of the guidelines is given in the Attending Doctors Handbook in Section 4.
How the guidelines are developed
The Office of the Medical Director works closely with the provider community to develop medical treatment guidelines on a wide range of topics relevant to injured workers. Guidelines cover areas such as lumbar fusion, indications for lumbar MRI, and the prescribing of controlled substances.
The process of developing guidelines includes review of medical literature, as well as consideration of the community standard of practice. The Office of the Medical Director works closely with the Washington State Chiropractic Association in the development of the guidelines.
For further information on the guideline development process, please contact:
LaVonda McCandless, ONC
E-mail: mlav235@LNI.wa.gov
Phone: 360-902-6163.
