AMA Guides® Newsletter - Issue Archive

Articles

1. Rating Survivors of COVID-19 for Permanent Impairment

   James B. Talmage, Mark H. Hyman, Robert B. Snyder

   Pages 3–7

   DOI: 10.1001/amaguidesnewsletters.2020.JulAug01

   Abstract

   The current pandemic of COVID-19 cases includes cases identified in emergency medical technicians, nurses, physicians, and others with occupational exposure to the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Many of these health care professionals have filed workers' compensation claims that have been accepted. Each accepted claim will eventually need a physician to declare the individual “at maximal medical improvement” or the equivalent phrase in the jurisdiction involved. The next step is for the physician to rate permanent impairment, if present, so the case can be administratively closed. The AMA Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment (AMA Guides) is used by many jurisdictions, but the AMA Guides does not mention COVID-19 or have guidance on how to assess individuals for impairment after recovery from this illness. This article provides preliminary guidance on rating permanent impairment within the respiratory, cardiac, vascular, neurologic, renal, gastrointestinal, and/or mental systems in COVID-19 survivors. Current references on the manifestations of COVID-19 illness in these body systems are included, which can be used as references to support documented impairment related to this illness.
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2. Medical Aspects of Causation for COVID-19

   Robert B. Snyder, James B. Talmage

   Pages 8–11

   DOI: 10.1001/amaguidesnewsletters.2020.JulAug02

   Abstract

   The decision about whether a case of documented COVID-19 illness is accepted as occupationally acquired and thus work compensable is made by insurers, or if contested, by judges or administrative bureaus. Causation for COVID-19 may be difficult to show because of the lack of accurate information and difficulty in meeting some of the criteria established by Bradford Hill. Nevertheless, physicians will be asked for medical records and documentation of illness. This article provides preliminary guidance to assist physicians in responding to insurers or workers compensation agencies' requests for information on the medial aspects of COVID-19.
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3. Q&A: Cervical Facet Arthropathy

   Charles N. Brooks, Christopher R. Brigham, Marjorie Eskay-Auerbach, James B. Talmage

   Pages 12–13

   DOI: 10.1001/amaguidesnewsletters.2020.JulAug03

4. Q&A: The Role of the QuickDASH in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (Authoritative Article*)

   Douglas W. Martin, J. Mark Melhorn, James B. Talmage

   Pages 14–15

   DOI: 10.1001/amaguidesnewsletters.2020.JulAug04