Imaging methods

On July 9, 2024, the updated Finnish classification of procedures (THL) was published to come into force on August 1, 2024. Forty-three new procedure codes were implemented concerning diagnostic imaging, nuclear medicine, neurovascular, radiology, and other fields.

In September 2023, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published three new Interventional Procedure Guidance (removal, preservation, and reimplantation of ovarian tissue for restoring fertility, transurethral water-jet ablation for lower urinary tract symptoms, cryotherapy for chronic rhinitis), and three Health Technology Evaluations using early value assessment (AI-derived software to analyze chest X-rays for suspected lung cancer, AI technologies to aid contouring for radiotherapy planning, KardiaMobile 6L for adults having antipsychotic medication). Also, two new clinical guidelines were published, and three were updated.

On August 11, 2024, the BfArM (Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices) published the preliminary version of the 2024 OPS procedure coding classification. The OPS, together with the ICD-10-GM (International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, 10th revision, German Modification), forms the basis for the reimbursement systems in inpatient and outpatient care in Germany.

In July 2022, the Dutch Organization for Health Research and Development (ZonMw) awarded 12 projects under the 2023 Open Round of the Efficiency Research program with a budget intended for funding research into clinical and cost-effectiveness of non-pharmaceutical care.

On May 25, 2022, the National Institute for Health and Disability Insurance (INAMI-RIZIV) published an updated List of reimbursable devices that came into force on June 01, 2022. A total of 12 new codes with the corresponding conditions of reimbursement were added to the List, which concerned sacral neurostimulation in fecal incontinence treatment, soft tissue markers, and osteosynthesis devices.

On January 20, 2022, the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges (AoMRC) launched a consultation on the latest set of guidance (List 3) of the Evidence-based Interventions (EBI) Programme. EBI program develops guidance sets (Lists) for tests, treatments, and procedures based on recommendations from the Expert Advisory Committee and NICE assessments. Proposed List 3 covers 17 interventions across a range of medical specialties, including cardiology, ophthalmology, urology, and others. The deadline for comments submission is March 31, 2022.

In November 2021, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published two new Interventional Procedure Guidance (percutaneous implantation of pulmonary artery pressure sensors in chronic heart failure and coronary sinus narrowing device implantation for refractory angina), one new Medical Technologies Guidance (Synergo for non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer), one new Diagnostic Guidance (SeHCAT for diagnosing bile acid diarrhea), and four new Medtech Innovation Briefings (clonoSEQ for minimal residual disease, CerebAir for continuous EEG monitoring, 24/7 EEG SubQ for epilepsy, Paige Prostate for prostate cancer). Also, three new clinical guidelines were published, and six were updated.

In June 2021, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published two new Interventional Procedure Guidance (laser lithotripsy for difficult-to-treat bile duct stones and percutaneous insertion of a closure device to repair a paravalvular leak around a replaced mitral or aortic valve), one new Medical Technologies Guidance (Plus Sutures for preventing surgical site infection), and four new Medtech Innovation Briefings (RapidAI for analyzing CT/MRI brain scans, WoundExpress, Magtrace and Sentimag, and SYNE-COV). Also, four clinical guidelines were updated, and two new published.

In May 2021, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published five new Interventional Procedure Guidance (ex-situ machine perfusion for extracorporeal preservation of lungs for transplant, transvaginal laser therapy for stress urinary incontinence and for urogenital atrophy, electrohydraulic lithotripsy for difficult-to-treat bile duct stones, and permanent His-bundle pacemaker for heart failure), one new Medical Technologies Guidance (UroLift for benign prostatic hyperplasia), and two new Medtech Innovation Briefings (Axonics sacral neuromodulation system for faecal incontinence and KODEX-EPD for cardiac imaging during ablation of arrhythmias). Also, three clinical guidelines and two Medical Technologies Guidance were updated.

In March 2021, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published four new Interventional Procedure Guidance (transcervical ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation for symptomatic uterine fibroids, extracorporeal whole liver perfusion, free-functioning gracilis transfer to restore upper limb function, cytoreduction surgery with hyperthermic intraoperative peritoneal chemotherapy), two Medical Technologies Guidance (Danis stent for acute oesophageal variceal bleeding, Alpha-Stim AID for anxiety disorders), two Medtech Innovation Briefings (Sonata system for symptomatic uterine fibroids, Butterfly iQ+ for diagnostic ultrasound), and one Diagnostic Guidance (QAngio XA 3D QFR and CAAS vFFR imaging software for assessing coronary stenosis). Also, five clinical guidelines were updated.

In February 2021, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published one new medical technologies guidance (Leukomed Sorbact for preventing surgical site infection) and seven new Medtech innovation briefings (PROPEL sinus implants, URO17 for detecting bladder cancer, Faecal microbiota transplant, DOAC Dipstick for detecting oral anticoagulants, CytoSorb for reducing the risk of bleeding during cardiac surgery, and others).

In January 2021, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published two new interventional procedure guidance (self-expanding implant insertion into the intersphincteric space for faecal incontinence and minimally invasive radical hysterectomy for early stage cervical cancer), two new medical technologies guidance (the PLASMA system for transurethral resection and haemostasis of the prostate, and the VAC Veraflo Therapy system for acute infected or chronic wounds), and six Medtech innovation briefings (Optilume for anterior urethral strictures, AI in mammography, AI for analyzing chest CT images, AcQMap for mapping the heart atria to target ablation treatment, and others). Also, two clinical guidelines were updated.