September 2007

RCS in strategic alliance with Quixote

Will add new dimension to research project, offer additional benefits to doctors on program

After a year of collecting vital statistical data from thousands of people around the world, RCS (Research & Clinical Science) plans to begin a new phase of its research by entering into a strategic alliance with Quixote, a top‑ranked chiropractic office software company. Working with Quixote will allow RCS to collect data on objective chiropractic findings for each research volunteer. Its researchers can then correlate that data to produce scientific research on the impact of vertebral subluxation and on specific effects of chiropractic adjustments.

Preliminary research showing that chiropractic care significantly improved overall wellness relied on self‑reported quality of life (SRQOL) studies completed by research volunteers. RCS researchers compared the SRQOL ratings of those under chiropractic care to those who had never received chiropractic adjustments.

"Working with Quixote will allow RCS to add an entirely new dimension to the research," explained Terry A. Rondberg, DC, CEO of the private‑sector research program. "For the first time, our profession will be able to compare objective findings as well as subjective observations in a large‑population global study."

Dr. Rondberg stated that RCS chose Quixote because it was the most advanced software company in the profession and can be engineered to be compatible with RCS' own advanced Internet‑based system. Unlike most software packages, Quixote's design works in the dot‑net environment to provide a dependable system that delivers updates automatically and transparently via the Internet. Because users do not have to install updates or upgrades, maintaining the system is far easier than traditional software packages.

The importance of subjective data in health care research cannot be underestimated. According to a report written by John T. Farrar, MD, MSCE, PhD: "Traditional clinical outcomes, which are used to measure disease states or disease progression, are often unable to measure the more complex aspects of a patient's subjective experiences. This parallels the realization that changes in objective clinical outcomes may not translate into important benefits to the patients." (Medscape Neurology & Neurosurgery, 09/19/2006).

"RCS understands how vital the subjective data is, and that's why the program started with the SRQOL study, to compile baseline ratings on as wide a population as possible," Dr. Rondberg noted. "However, particularly with the new emphasis on evidence‑based care, gathering objective data is crucial as well. This step requires an extremely high level of technical expertise to design the complex Internet‑based system, expertise that the specialists at Quixote clearly possess. Our partnership with Quixote will allow RCS to take the research program to the next level."

Another important consideration for RCS was the fact that the Quixote system is completely HIPAA compliant. All aspects of the RCS research, which has received full IRB approval, comply with the government regulations regarding privacy of research volunteer information, as well as human subject safety.

The association with Quixote will also expand the benefits available to RCS member doctors, since each doctor will be offered a complete Quixote office software package.

"Current RCS doctors can continue participating in this ground‑breaking research and will be offered an efficient and simple means to take complete control of their office's scheduling, data collection/input, and billing through touch screen and wireless technologies," Rondberg explained.

Many doctors have reported that using the Quixote system has allowed them to reduce office administrative and clerical costs, improve billing and insurance claims procedures, and enhance quality of patient care. The ability to maintain proper patient records also helps reduce risk of malpractice claims.

"We're very proud to be working with Quixote to incorporate their software system into the RCS program and involve their computer engineers in the data compilation process," said Rondberg. "Together, we will greatly improve the research and provide an even better program for all RCS doctors."

For more information about the RCS program, contact RCS at 800‑909‑1354 or 480‑303‑1694 or visit www.rcsprogram.com . For information on Quixote, call 619‑299‑2930 or visit www.ppt4drs.com.