Screening

The Agency for Health Technology Assessment of Andalusia Autonomous Community in Spain (AETSA) systematically evaluates healthcare technologies and provides decision-makers with critically review information about their efficacy, safety, and effectiveness. Currently, the AETSA is working on assessments of laser-induced heat therapy in epilepsy surgery, stereotactic radiation therapy for the treatment of refractory ventricular tachycardia, implantable Holter monitor with ILink Online technology for prolonged cardiac monitoring, and other topics.

The Swedish Agency for Health Technology Assessment and Assessment of Social Services (SBU) systematically evaluates healthcare technologies and practices from medical, economic, ethical, and social standpoints. Currently, the SBU is working on assessments of treatment methods of gastrointestinal conditions, musculoskeletal disorders, pain treatment, medical aids, e-health technologies, and other topics.

The Austrian Institute for Health Technology Assessment (AIHTA) completed a research project, “Lung cancer screening in risk groups: Systematic reviews of effectiveness and utility (part 1) and costs and budgetary consequences (part 2),” and published the reports in the mid of December 2020.

In the middle of 2020, the Galician Scientific and Technical Advice Unit (Unidad de Asesoramiento Científico-técnico, Avalia-T) released a health technology assessment on clinical Effectiveness of newborn screening for inborn errors of metabolism by MS/MS that aimed to update the data collected in the pilot study. It is recommended to define health indicators, optimum and acceptable levels of some process indicators.

On the 9th of July 2020, the Ministry of Health of Spain released a screening guide for Hepatitis C infection as a part of the Strategic Plan for Addressing Hepatitis C in the National Health System. To improve access to screening and link to treatment monitoring, the guide proposes actions such as diagnosing the infection in a single step, training and support activities for health professionals, or a simplification of the models.

On behalf of the Federal Joint Committee (G-BA), the Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG) investigated whether (former) heavy smokers within statutory health insurance (SHI) should be offered lung cancer screening using low-dose computed tomography (LDCT).

The revised EBM (German Uniform Evaluation Standard) catalog came into force on April 1, 2020. MTRC has compiled the selection of the most significant changes.

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.

The revised EBM (German Uniform Evaluation Standard) comes into force on April 1, 2020. Among others, the amendments made concern the billing of the services within the framework of early detection of cervical cancer. Also, the new fee order item (GOP) for the human papillomaviruses (HPV) genotyping service was added.

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.

On February 1, 2020, an additional test was added to the newborn screening, performed 2-3 days after birth. Severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) is thus the 18th disease for which newborns are screened in Denmark.

At the start of the organized program for the early detection of cervical cancer on January 1, 2020, several new services will be added to the EBM (Einheitlicher Bewertungsmaβstab, German Uniform Evaluation Standard).