HTA is multi-disciplinary field of policy analysis that examines the medical, economic, social and ethical implications of the incremental value, diffusion and use of a health technology in health care.
The term Health Technology refers to application of organised knowledge and skills in the form of devices, medicines, vaccines, procedures and systems developed to solve a health problem and improve quality of life.
Abstract Background Single-sided deafness refers to profound sensorineural hearing loss or non-functional hearing in one ear, with normal or near-normal hearing in the other ear. Its hallmark is the inability to localize sound and hear in noisy environments. Conductive hearing loss occurs when there is a mechanical problem with the conduction of sound vibrations. Mixed hearing […]
Abstract Background Surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) is the conventional treatment in patients at low or intermediate surgical risk. Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is a less invasive procedure, originally developed as an alternative for patients at high or prohibitive surgical risk. Methods We conducted a health technology assessment of TAVI versus SAVR in patients with […]
Abstract Background Heart transplantation is the most effective treatment for people experiencing end-stage heart failure whose quality of life and life expectancy are unacceptable. However, there is a chronic shortage of donor hearts to meet the demand, so it is essential to expand the donor pool and increase supply. Heart donation mainly occurs after brain death […]
Abstract Background Neurofibromatosis 2 (NF2) is a rare genetic disorder that causes vestibular schwannomas to develop in both eighth cranial nerves. Almost all people with NF2 eventually become completely deaf as a result of progressive tumour enlargement or following surgical or radiotherapy treatment. Other rare abnormal conditions in the inner ears can also cause complete deafness. […]
Cervical degenerative disc disease occurs in the cervical spine (the part of the spine in the neck) when the discs between the vertebrae (the bones of the spine) start to deteriorate. It causes painful and disabling symptoms that impact people’s quality of life and ability to function. When treatments such as medication and physical therapy are insufficient, surgery […]
People who cannot empty their bladder on their own may develop chronic urinary retention. If not managed, this condition can lead to serious health problems. Urine that remains in the bladder for too long increases the risk of developing urinary tract infection, bladder damage, and kidney disease. To prevent such problems, children and adults with chronic urinary retention learn […]
INTRODUCTION Procurement of medical devices (MDs) on a national level, is a quite challenging task since it -at the same- time aims in guaranteeing high quality of products and assuring patient safety, with the lowest possible cost for the health care system. The vast variety of MDs, the accelerated pace of appearance of new technologies, the shorter life cycle, […]
Fully bioresorbable stents or scaffolds (BRS) represent the latest generation of devices for myocardial revascularisation strategies. They comprise a degradable material, most commonly a polymer, such as poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) or a magnesium alloy, and are either drug coated or drug free. They are mainly built to overcome the risk of late complications, such as scaffold thrombosis or restenosis, which […]
Permanent cardiac pacing using pacemaker implantation is an effective and necessary treatment for patients suffering from atrial fibrillation and bradycardia. In this single technology assessment, we assessed a leadless pacemaker for patients indicated for single-chamber ventricular pacemaker implantation. Through design and novel technology, Medtronic’s ambition is to reduce the rate of complications following pacemaker implantations.
Hospital-acquired infections are infections that patients develop while in the hospital that were neither present nor developing when patients were admitted. In Canada about 10% of adults with short-term hospitalization have hospital-acquired infections. We studied the effectiveness and budget impact of portable ultraviolet light surface-disinfecting devices for reducing hospital-acquired infections.