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Publications Digest

27
Mar 2025

Sustainability Publication Digest: How to choose between single-use and reusable medical materials for sustainable nursing: Methodological lessons learned from a national study

MTRC shares the most relevant and impactful publications in the field of market access and HEOR for medical technologies in Europe through its Sustainability Publications Digest. In a recent publication, Vanderwee et al. introduced a pragmatic decision-making approach for healthcare facilities with tools to select environmentally sustainable alternatives to replace single-use options. A cross-sectional multi-center survey in Belgian hospitals was performed, followed by an exploratory analysis of the sustainability of commonly used healthcare materials. The authors developed a structured assessment method, combining real-world procurement data and literature-based evaluations to inform sustainable, safe, and cost-effective material choices.
26
Mar 2025

Health Economic Publication Digest: Economic Considerations of Cardiovascular Implantable Electronic Devices for The Treatment of Heart Failure

MTRC shares the most relevant and impactful publications in the field of market access and HEOR for medical technologies in Europe through its Health Economic Publications Digest. In a recent publication, Elsner et al. conducted a literature review to evaluate the economic value of cardiovascular implantable electronic devices for heart failure treatment, with a focus on the European context over the past 10 years. The review assessed the economic implications of various device therapies, including cardiac resynchronization therapy with a pacemaker (CRT-P), CRT with a defibrillator (CRT-D), implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs), pacemakers, and (semi)automated telemonitoring, using QALYs and ICERs as standardized measures of cost-effectiveness. All cardiovascular implantable electronic devices were found to fall within commonly accepted cost-effectiveness thresholds.
25
Mar 2025

Publication Digest: Comparison of health technology assessments for digital therapeutics in Germany, the United Kingdom and France

MTRC shares the most relevant and impactful publications in the field of market access and HEOR for medical technologies in Europe through its Publications Digest. In a recent publication, Arcà et al. conducted a comparative analysis of national HTA frameworks for digital therapeutics (DTx) assessed in Germany, the UK, and France. By analyzing cross-country HTAs for two digital therapeutic products, the study revealed substantial differences in assessment criteria and evidence requirements. Despite the divergence, there was a shared emphasis on product positioning within the clinical pathway, the appropriateness of chosen comparators, and considerations of usability. Safety received limited attention, but a request is often made for the addition and evaluation of risk-flagging systems.
24
Mar 2025

EU HTA Publication Digest: Technology Assessment vs. Technology Appraisal-How to Strengthen the Science/Value Dichotomy with EU HTA?

MTRC shares the most relevant and impactful publications in the field of market access and HEOR for medical technologies in Europe through its EU HTA Publications Digest. In a recent publication, Gsteiger et al. explored the conceptual divergence between “technology assessment” and “technology appraisal” in the context of the new EU HTA Regulation. The authors advocated for a clearer distinction between scientific evaluation and value judgments to ensure effective implementation and avoid ambiguity. The study emphasized the importance of transitioning from centralized assessments to national-level appraisal processes that reflect local value judgments and uncertainties.
20
Mar 2025

Sustainability Publication Digest: Estimating the Carbon Footprint of Healthcare in the Canton of Geneva and Reduction Scenarios for 2030 and 2040

MTRC shares the most relevant and impactful publications in the field of market access and HEOR for medical technologies in Europe through its Sustainability Publications Digest. In a recent publication, Mermillod et al. estimated the carbon footprint of the Geneva healthcare system. The study identifies key emission contributors, highlighting medicines and medical devices as the dominant global emission sources (59%). When excluding these, hospitals emerge as the primary source of emissions (48%), followed by nursing homes and private practices. The authors outlined direct and systemic strategies for reduction, including optimizing prescription practices, energy use, and transportation. The findings provide a foundation for policymakers to implement ambitious carbon reduction policies in healthcare.
19
Mar 2025

Health Economic Publication Digest: Consolidated Health Economic Evaluation Reporting Standards for Interventions That Use Artificial Intelligence (CHEERS-AI)

MTRC shares the most relevant and impactful publications in the field of market access and HEOR for medical technologies in Europe through its Health Economic Publications Digest. In a recent publication, Elvidge et al. introduced the CHEERS-AI checklist, a standardized reporting framework for economic evaluations of AI-based health interventions. Developed through a Delphi study with multidisciplinary experts, the checklist comprises 38 reporting items, including AI-specific considerations. By improving transparency and reproducibility, CHEERS-AI aims to enhance the quality of cost-effectiveness assessments and facilitate informed decision-making in AI-driven healthcare.
18
Mar 2025

Publication Digest: A systematic literature review of real-world evidence (RWE) on post-market assessment of medical devices

MTRC shares the most relevant and impactful publications in the field of market access and HEOR for medical technologies in Europe through its Publications Digest. In a recent publication, Manetti et al. conducted a systematic literature review to assess how real-world evidence (RWE) and real-world data are utilized in post-market evaluations of medical devices. The authors analyzed 145 research articles and found that most assessments relied on administrative databases, with economic and clinical evidence being the most reported outcomes. The findings underscored gaps in incorporating patient perspectives and organizational impact, providing valuable insights for policymakers and researchers in shaping future RWE frameworks for medical devices.
17
Mar 2025

EU HTA Publication Digest: Managing experts' conflicts of interest in the EU Joint Clinical Assessment

MTRC shares the most relevant and impactful publications in the field of market access and HEOR for medical technologies in Europe through its EU HTA Publications Digest. In a recent publication, Gentilini et al. critically examined the European Commission’s 2024 Implementing Regulation on conflict-of-interest management in the EU Joint Clinical Assessment (JCA). A review of national HTA policies showed that the new conflict-of-interest management approach is largely modeled after French HTA guidelines. The authors identified concerns related to expert representativeness, disclosure clarity, and enforcement challenges. These findings highlighted the need for greater transparency and resource allocation to ensure an impartial assessment process.
14
Mar 2025

Value-Based Procurement Publication Digest: Integrated procurement and reprocessing planning for reusable medical devices with a limited shelf life

MTRC shares the most relevant and impactful publications in the field of market access and HEOR for medical technologies in Europe through its Value-Based Publications Digest. In a recent publication, Rickers et al. introduced a new optimization model for the multiproduct dynamic order quantity problem, aiming to enhance procurement decisions for reusable medical devices. The model integrates product returns and reprocessing parameters and considers the limited shelf life of sterile devices and capacity constraints in sterilization and reprocessing resources. Numerical simulations demonstrated significant cost reductions compared to conventional first-come-first-served approaches, highlighting the practical advantages of integrated procurement planning.
13
Mar 2025

Sustainability Publication Digest: A systematic review of sustainability practices in plastic surgery

MTRC shares the most relevant and impactful publications in the field of market access and HEOR for medical technologies in Europe through its Sustainability Publications Digest. In a recent publication, Iakovou et al. conducted a systematic review evaluating sustainability initiatives in plastic surgery, analyzing data on carbon emissions, waste management, and procedural costs. Based on data from 15 studies, hand surgery emerged as the leading subspecialty driving sustainability practices, complemented by notable efforts in craniofacial, skin cancer, and breast surgery. Notably, effective recycling programs redirected an average of 39.6 tonnes of waste per month, and the average carbon footprint was calculated as 22.7 kgCO2-eq per procedure.
12
Mar 2025

Health Economic Publication Digest: Estimation of the maximum potential cost saving from reducing serious adverse events in hospitalized patients

MTRC shares the most relevant and impactful publications in the field of market access and HEOR for medical technologies in Europe through its Health Economic Publications Digest. In a recent publication, Larsen et al. explored potential healthcare savings in Denmark associated with the use of artificial intelligence-assisted vital signs monitoring systems. Based on the hypothesis, implementing these systems could potentially reduce the occurrence of serious adverse events in hospitalized patients. Utilizing Danish national registry data, the authors estimated economic benefits from the implementation of AI-assisted monitoring systems, highlighting significant potential savings from decreased length of hospital stay and fewer readmissions. However, the study highlighted the need for a more precise evaluation of the clinical effectiveness of AI-assisted technologies and detailed consideration of associated implementation costs.
11
Mar 2025

Publication Digest: Opportunities and barriers for reimbursement of digital therapeutics in Austria: Findings from expert interviews

MTRC shares the most relevant and impactful publications in the field of market access and HEOR for medical technologies in Europe through its Publications Digest. In a recent publication, Sareban et al. explored expert perspectives on establishing a reimbursement framework for digital therapeutics (DTx) in Austria. Through seven semi-structured interviews with Austrian healthcare stakeholders, the authors identified critical factors necessary for a viable national reimbursement strategy. These include user and prescriber acceptance of DTx, robust clinical evidence, data security aligned with European standards, and clear economic evaluation.