Avo Adds RAND Pathway for Vertebral Compression Fractures

NEW YORK, NY -- Avo, a software platform that translates clinical evidence into the workflow, together with Dr. Douglas Beall, a thought leader in musculoskeletal imaging and original author of the RAND pathway, have developed an interactive screening and assessment algorithm for vertebral compression fractures (VCF) based on the clinical care pathway developed by using the RAND™/UCLA Appropriateness Method.

Avo’s VCF algorithm guides clinicians through the management of VCF, including the detection, diagnostic evaluation, treatment choice, and follow-up after treatment. As of today, this VCF algorithm is made available for free, in the Electronic Health Record and on Avo’s mobile and web applications.

Dr. Beall, a leading expert in the field and an original author of the RAND Pathway, describes the motivation behind the collaboration, “Vertebral fragility fractures are highly prevalent, costly, and tremendously underdiagnosed.  There are no commonly followed treatment guidelines for these fractures and prior to the RAND pathway, a lack of consensus on appropriate management made the issues associated with these fractures worse.” Dr. Beall continues, “It is vital that we equip our frontline clinicians with not only a consensus guideline, but a way to implement this evidence within their workflow, and Avo is the tool to do just that.”

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Translating clinical expertise into the workflow

The clinical decision support tool, developed by Dr. Beall and Avo, is designed particularly for patients presenting to an emergency room or outpatient clinic with moderate to severe back pain as the primary or secondary complaint concerning for VCF.

Available on desktop devices with EHR integrations available (and on a mobile app), the algorithm includes comprehensive evaluation and treatment management strategies. It guides clinicians in assessing probability of VCF, understanding follow-up best practices, and determining appropriateness of imaging and vertebral augmentation.

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Guideline-based treatment of VCF is essential

Vertebral compression fractures (VCF) are a common condition in the United States, with an estimated 750,000 to 1.5 million cases annually. The prevalence increases with age, and it is estimated that up to 40% of women over the age of 80 have at least one VCF. VCF can have a significant economic toll, with estimated annual costs of up to $1.6 billion in the United States.

Diagnosing and treating VCF can be challenging for several reasons. First, the symptoms of VCF, such as back pain and loss of height, can be non-specific and may be attributed to other conditions. Second, imaging tests, such as X-rays and MRIs, can be expensive and may not be covered by insurance. Finally, prior to the RAND pathway, a lack of standardized protocols for the diagnosis and treatment of VCF contributed to variations in care and potentially poorer outcomes for patients.

Dr. Joongheum Park, MD, Head of Product and Engineering at Avo, said, “As an internal medicine physician myself, I see a wide variety of patients and clinical issues. Easy access to the expertise in mine and my peers’ workflow is essential to ensuring high quality care, and partnering with the leading authority VCF will improve clinician efficiency and most importantly, patient outcomes.”

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Access the VCF algorithm on the web for free

Access the VCF algorithm in the Electronic Health Record for free

For more information on customizing the toolkit and/or EHR integration, please contact info@avomd.io

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Avo

Avo is a software platform that translates clinical evidence - guidelines, pathways, and algorithms - into the workflow, available in the EHR (live in Epic) or as a standalone web/mobile applications. Avo automates the ordering and documentation processes in addition to providing clinical guidelines in real-time, point-of-care optimized formats. Randomized control trials and implementations demonstrate that Avo saves clinicians over 50% of their time in clinical decision-making at the bedside while improving outcomes and reducing costs.

Learn more: www.avomd.com

Email: info@avomd.io

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