Purpose of Technology: Repetitive high-frequency left transcranial magnetic stimulation (HFL-rTMS) is a noninvasive technique that may serve as an alternative intervention for treatment-resistant depression (TRD). Brief repetitive pulses of magnetic energy are applied to the scalp via a large electromagnetic coil, thereby mo…
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?
- Health Technology Assessments
- Evidence Analysis Research Briefs
- Evolving Evidence Review
- Clinical Research Responses
Accelerated Partial Breast Irradiation for Breast Cancer Using Conformal and Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy
Purpose of Technology: Following breast-conserving surgery in patients with early-stage breast cancer, accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI) is an alternative to standard whole-breast irradiation (WBI) performed to reduce the risk of tumor recurrence. APBI using 3-dimensional conformal ra…
Nitric Oxide Breath Analysis for the Diagnosis of Asthma
Purpose of Technology: The measurement of nitric oxide (NO) concentration in expired breath has been introduced as an adjunct to or replacement for the established clinical and laboratory assessments for the diagnosis of asthma. Measurement of fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) is a noninvasive diagnostic tech…
Focused Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy for Chronic Plantar Fasciitis
Purpose of Technology: Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) is a noninvasive treatment for chronic plantar fasciitis that involves delivery of shock waves to the painful region of the heel with the goal of reducing pain, increasing function, and promoting healing of the affected soft tissue. Focused ESWT directs shock waves at a targeted area with high tissue penetration w…
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Purpose of Technology: Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) involves the intermittent inhalation of 100% gaseous oxygen in chambers pressurized between 1.5 and 3.0 times atmosphere absolute. HBOT may be used as a primary or adjunctive therapy for sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSHL), which i…
Nitric Oxide Breath Analysis for the Management of Asthma
Purpose of Technology: The measurement of nitric oxide (NO) concentration in expired breath has been introduced as an adjunct to or replacement for established clinical and laboratory assessments of asthma control to guide the management of asthma.
Comparative Effectiveness of Bivalirudin Versus Heparin Monotherapy for Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI)
Purpose of Technology: Anticoagulation is recommended for patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Two commonly employed options include heparin and bivalirudin. Heparin is an indirect thrombin inhibitor; it binds and activates antithrombin …
Minimally Invasive Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion (MITLIF) Versus Open Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion (OTLIF) for Treatment of Lumbar Disc Disease: A Review of Reviews
Purpose of Technology: Minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MITLIF) employs laparoscopic surgical techniques along with muscle dilation procedures to insert bone grafts and/or medical devices between 2 or more adjacent spinal vertebrae in order to stabilize them and initiate a biological response that w…
Noninvasive Electrical Bone Growth Stimulators for Spinal Fusion or Foot and Ankle Indications
Purpose of Technology: Noninvasive electrical bone growth stimulators (EBGS) are external devices that deliver electrical energy to a fracture or bone fusion site. The goal is to induce osteogenesis, stimulate bone growth, and promote healing of fresh, delayed, or nonunion bone fractures and surg…
Ultrasound-Guided High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound for Primary Treatment of Localized Prostate Cancer
Purpose of Technology: High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) is a minimally invasive (transrectal) treatment that generates heat through sound energy to destroy tumor tissue. Sound waves produced by an ultrasonic transducer mounted on an endorectal probe penetrate the rectal wall and ablate th…