Health technology assessment

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.