Health technology assessment

The Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG) published the final report, in which it was studied whether wearing a lower jaw protrusion splint (Unterkieferprotrusionsschiene, UPS) is beneficial for obstructive sleep apnea. IQWiG issued the preliminary report in October 2019.

In April 2020, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published only one new medical technologies guidance (for PneuX to prevent ventilator-associated pneumonia) and two Medtech innovation briefings (for Lifelight First for monitoring vital signs and myCOPD for self-management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease).

On behalf of the Federal Joint Committee (G-BA), the Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG) investigated whether a test of newborns for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) in Germany would make sense. The affected children benefit from early diagnosis as this enables an earlier start of therapy.

In March 2020, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published four new interventional procedure guidance (for bilateral cervicosacropexy or vaginosacropexy using mesh for pelvic organ prolapse, cyanoacrylate glue occlusion for varicose veins, MRI-guided laser interstitial thermal therapy for drug-resistant epilepsy and selective internal radiation therapy for unresectable colorectal metastases in the liver) and five Medtech innovation briefings (for Cor-Knot for tying suture knots in valve surgery, artificial intelligence for analyzing CT brain scans and others).

The HTA body of the Tuscany Regional Healthcare issues two types of documents: HTA forms and motivational forms. With a regional decree 3047 of March 2, 2020, Tuscany Regional Healthcare has published assessments of eight medical devices of various therapeutic areas.

Patients with a newly diagnosed glioblastoma will have an opportunity to benefit from the therapy with tumor-treating fields (TTF) at the expense of statutory health insurance. The Federal Joint Committee (G-BA) decided on March 20, 2020, the details concerning the indications and the quality assurance measures that will apply when prescribing this outpatient treatment method.

In Norway, the mini-HTA for Tendyne Mitral Valve System designed for transapical implantation within the native mitral valve without the need for open-heart surgery and concomitant surgical removal of the failed native valve 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.

Balneophototherapy becomes covered by the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Funds (GKV) for patients suffering from moderate to severe neurodermatitis. The Federal Joint Committee (G-BA) decided to include this treatment option to contract medical care on March 20, 2020.

Balneophototherapy becomes covered by the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Funds (GKV) for patients suffering from moderate to severe neurodermatitis. The Federal Joint Committee (G-BA) decided to include this treatment option to contract medical care on March 20, 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.

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.

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.