In July of 2018, the Dental and Pharmaceutical Benefits Agency (Tandvårds-Läkemedelförmånsverket, TLV) has updated the product group codes for consumables for better understanding the range of the products. Editorial changes to the codes' descriptions were implemented. Seven new groups for stomach products, plates and bags of different types, which are especially intended for children have been included in the classification.

Clarifications about coding of CytoSorb procedure and use of Flow Diverter in Switzerland were released by SwissDRG.

At the end of June of 2018, the Federal Joint Committee (G-BA) has commissioned to the Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG) to provide an update of the Disease Management Program (DMP) for Diabetes Mellitus type 2 in order to perform a systematic research, make a selection of guidelines based on methodological criteria and extract guideline recommendations relevant for the treatment of Diabetes Mellitus type 2. The final report is expected to be released on the 31st of December, 2019.

The Clinical Coding and Schedule Development Group develops and maintains procedural and diagnostics nomenclature for private payers in England. In July new codes for aminoglycoside induced deafness testing, Intra-Operative PTH profile, cytokine panels and lymphocyte immunophenotyping, streptococcus pneumoniae by PCR, OCT for cardiology, contract-enhanced ultrasound and faecal immunochemistry test were added to the CCSD Schedule.

MTRC performs the analysis using administrative databases. Reporting of procedure volume is done according to the established procedural classifications (e.g., OPCS in England, OPS in Germany). Data are available for Austria, Belgium, England, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Switzerland. In other countries, it might be possible to obtain data from patient registries or clinical societies.

The Clinical Coding and Schedule Development Group develops and maintains procedural and diagnostics nomenclature for private payers in England. In July new codes for percutaneous paravalvular leak closure, endoscopic vacuum therapy for colorectal anastomotic leakage and phonomicrosurgery for vocal cord lesions, nodules, polyps, or cysts were added to the CCSD Schedule.

Emilia Romagna Region published a rapid assessment report on the Medtronic’s Heli-FX™ EndoAnchor™ system. The authors concluded that published literature is of poor quality (mainly non-comparative studies) and mostly includes patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm. Data on the use of the device for thoracic aorta aneurysm repair are extremely limited.

In mid-July 2018, the Health Service of the Canary Islands, SESCS, has published a report in which they have assessed the safety, effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of the endoscopic ablation by radiofrequency in antral gastropathy and Actinic proctitis.

At the end of June of 2018, the National Board of Health and Welfare (Socialtyrelsen) has published an updated version of the National clinical guidelines for heart care. The review was conducted for the inclusion of few updated recommendations regarding the management of the coronary heart disease, valvulopathy and arrhythmia.

A national ‘pause’ has been announced in the use of surgical mesh/tape to treat stress urinary incontinence and for urogynaecological prolapse where the mesh is inserted through the vaginal wall. A Mesh Pause Clinical Advisory Group (CAG) was established. Further recommendations and CAG guidance on implementation of the pause has been published.

In the first half of July, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published one new Diagnostics Guidance for biomarker tests to help diagnose preterm labour in women with intact membranesand one new medtech innovation briefing for airglove air warming system for venous access.

Three mini-method assessments regarding the magnetic non-radioactive detection system SentiMag Sienna + of sentinel lymph nodes in breast cancer, cough reflex testing and emergency targeted ultrasound implementation were initiated by Oslo University Hospital in June of 2018. All finalized mini-method assessments are published in the National Database for Mini-HTA.