Evidence Analysis

It is a challenge for health plans and clinicians to distill and analyze volumes of clinical evidence to determine likely clinical, financial, and risk impacts. This is what we do.

Accessed through the Hayes Knowledge Center, the Evidence Analysis Solution addresses the following fundamental questions to help our clients determine coverage positions:

  • Does the technology improve health outcomes?
  • Are there other benefits associated with the technology?
  • What harms might be associated with the technology?
  • Have patient selection criteria been established for the technology?
  • For which patients might the technology provide a benefit?

Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass for Treatment of Type II Diabetes: A Review of Reviews

Purpose of Technology: Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) is surgery that reduces the capacity of the stomach and the length of the small intestine through which food travels. RYGB is widely accepted as very effective for weight loss in people with morbid obesity; however, recent research has explored the use of RYGB for the treatment of type II diabetes, including in less obese …

Surgical Treatment for Lymphedema: A Review of Reviews

Purpose of Technology: Lymphedema is the swelling of limbs caused by fluid accumulation, most commonly due to lymphatic injury caused by cancer treatment. Conservative management may confer insufficient control or be ineffective altogether, especially if lymphedema is advanced. Multiple surgical …

Arthroscopic Hip Surgery for Femoroacetabular Impingement

Purpose of Technology: Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) occurs due to an altered or suboptimal shape of the femoral neck, leading repetitive contact and breakdown of the cartilage around the rim of the hip joint. Several different types of arthroscopic surgery have been developed to reshape bone and remove or repair damage…

Neodymium-Doped Yttrium Aluminium Garnet Laser Treatment for Onychomycosis

Onychomycosis is a fungal infection of the nail. Onychomycosis can cause discomfort, pain, and disfigurement leading to serious physical and occupational limitations. Onychomycosis is a deep-seated, recalcitrant condition with a 40% to 70% recurrence rate, which includes either relapse or reinfection. Oral antifungals are the standard o…

SurgiMend (Integra Life Sciences) for Postmastectomy Breast Reconstruction

Breast reconstruction (BR) may pose a challenge if the patient’s skin-pectoral muscle pocket cannot adequately support tissue expansion or hold the expander or implant in place. Various options exist for reinforcing coverage of this muscle, including autologous transplant of tissue from the latissimus dorsi and the blunt dissection and eleva…

Intravenous Lidocaine Infusion for Neuropathic Pain: A Review of Reviews

Purpose of Technology: Lidocaine hydrochloride is a local anesthetic with antiarrhythmic properties that may hold utility in the treatment of select patients with intractable neuropathic pain. Intravenous lidocaine helps to suppress spontaneous ectopic discharges of damaged nerves without blocking normal neuronal conduction, which in part underlies its analgesic effect.