Health technology assessment
02
Apr 2020
In February 2020, the Andalusian Health Technology Assessment Department published an assessment report on the evaluation of effectiveness and safety of epicardial closure of left atrial appendage using clips by minimally invasive surgery for thromboembolism prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation. The scientific evidence about the effectiveness and safety of the left atrial appendage closure through minimally invasive epicardial clipping is inadequate and insufficient; further research is needed.
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27
Mar 2020
In March 2020, Swedish Skåne Region has released a report for the use of hydrogel spacer in radiotherapy of prostate cancer. Treatment with hydrogel spacer provides long-term improved quality of life, but the scientific base is limited. The scientific evidence base on the positive effect of the spacer in erectile function is insufficient.
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26
Mar 2020
On March 13, 2020, the Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG) announced that the new HTA reports would concern cystitis, heart disease in children, social isolation, as well as vitamin B12 / vitamin D deficiency in the elderly, and the Feldenkrais Method in treatment of mobility disorders.
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25
Mar 2020
In February 2020, the Andalusian Health Technology Assessment Department published an assessment report on the evaluation of validity, clinical utility, and safety of the next-generation sequencing genomic platform FoundationOne® in non-small cell lung cancer and other solid tumors. It was observed that it is necessary to carry out new studies to confirm the diagnostic results and the clinical usefulness of the test due to the low quality of existing evidence.
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20
Mar 2020
At the beginning of 2020, the Galician Scientific and Technical Advice Unit released a health technology assessment on the treatment of benign thyroid nodules (TNs) by thermal laser or radiofrequency ablation that aimed to assess its safety and clinical effectiveness compared to standard treatment. The methods were considered safe and effective procedures for the treatment of benign, solid, and symptomatic TNs.
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17
Mar 2020
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and Health Technology Wales (HTW) have formally committed to work together to enhance their independent and authoritative Guidance on non-medicine technologies. On March 3, 2020, it was announced about the collaboration of these two organizations.
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16
Mar 2020
At the beginning of 2020, the Galician Scientific and Technical Advice Unit released a health technology assessment on irreversible electroporation (IRE) for the treatment of liver and pancreatic cancer that aimed to analyze its safety, effectiveness, considerations for use, and the economic, organizational, social, ethical, or legal aspects. The efficacy evidence of IRE in achieving complete ablation is insufficient. Safety evidence is also insufficient as it is unclear whether IRE is safer as the standard treatment.
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13
Mar 2020
At the end of January 2020, the Decision Forum rejected Focal Impulse and Rotor Mapping ablation approach and workstation RhytmView for the treatment of atrial fibrillation and ex-situ perfusion platform for organ preservation after the brain death of the donor due to its insufficient efficacy evidence.
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06
Mar 2020
In Sweden, the Centre for Assessment of Medical Technology (CAMTÖ) leads the development of HTA cooperation in the healthcare region Uppsala-Örebro. In February 2020, CAMTÖ started its work on the assessment of peripherally inserted central venous catheter. After the completion of the evaluation process, the report would be published at the web-site of Örebro County Council.
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04
Mar 2020
In Norway, the mini-HTA for Localizer™ wire-free guidance system designed to mark and guide to non-palpable breast lesions was released at the end of January 2020. The method was determined as efficient and safe. It was recommended to be introduced as part of the clinical routine in the hospital.
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03
Mar 2020
In February 2020, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published one new diagnostics guidance (for SepsiTest assay for rapidly identifying bloodstream bacteria and fungi), one new medical technologies guidance (for Episcissors-60 for mediolateral episiotomy) and two Medtech innovation briefings (for Plus Sutures for preventing surgical site infection and National Early Warning Score systems that alert to deteriorating adult patients in hospital).
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26
Feb 2020
The General Director of Lombardy Healthcare released a decree no. 916 of 29.1.2020. The decree contains several important notices, the most important one being that the “Rules of the regional HTA commission” was published. In the first half of February 2020, it was published on the website of the regional HTA program of the Lombardy region.
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