Ongoing mini-HTAs of medical technologies connected to hospital funding in Norway

Norway established in 2013 a framework for the introduction of innovations into the health care system through either a national or hospital-based health technology assessment. This framework is called the “New Method”.

In this framework, all innovations should undergo HTA before being funded. If the method concerns only one or two hospitals, assessment shall be initiated by clinicians and ran at the hospital level. The final report is disseminated via a mini-HTA database. If the method is of national concern, it undergoes Single Technology Appraisal at national level followed by the funding decision by the group of payers (Decision Forum, Beslutningsforum).

As of April 2017, there are 10 ongoing mini-HTA projects:

• Are there any technical reasons for changing surgical methods for genital gender conversion from woman to man? (Oslo University Hospital)
• Berlin Heart EXCOR - long-term mechanical circulation support in children (Oslo University Hospital)
• Extracorporeal photopheresis for acute and chronic GvHD (Helse Bergen)
• Irreversible electroporation (IRE) in the treatment of liver metastases (Oslo University Hospital)
• Microwave ablation of lung cancer and pulmonary metastasis (Helse Bergen)
• Optimization of donor livers by Ex Vivo Lung Fusion (EVLP) (Oslo University Hospital)
• Use of permanent catheter for tapping of malignant ascites and pleural fluid (Oslo University Hospital)
• Use of PET-CT for mapping of cardiac ischemia (Helse Stavanger)
• Use of virtual dark therapy in bipolar disorder (Helse Fonna)

Complete list (in Norwegian) can be seen here. 

After completion of assessment, hospital management will make decision about funding of studied technology in a particular hospital.

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