By CHRISTINE UMBRELL
DEFINING
BEST PRACTICES Two recently published CPGs help set the standard for value-based care in O&P
NEED TO KNOW: • Clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) are designed to reduce health-care variations, improve diagnostic accuracy, promote effective therapy, and discourage ineffective—or potentially harmful—interventions. • As health-care professionals move toward evidence-based practice and value-based care, CPGs also set a baseline of reference that prosthetists and orthotists can look to when planning treatment protocols and seeking reimbursement. 26
FEBRUARY 2017 | O&P ALMANAC
• Two years ago, several O&P professionals from Hanger Clinic decided to contribute to the O&P research foundation and spearhead a CPG development process. They modeled their process and guiding principles after the established American College of Physicians’ CPG program structure. • The group developed two CPGs, which were recently presented at a meeting of the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine and published in the Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. This gives enhanced visibility to the recommendations, and means that more clinicians may benefit from the CPGs developed.
• CPGs are “guides” only, however, and will not be appropriate for all patients in all situations. They are not intended to replace clinical judgment of the prosthetist or other members of the surgical and rehabilitation teams. • Researchers at Hanger will continue to study the published topics and other best practices. They will monitor changes and improvements in patient care with the implementation of the CPGs.