Purpose of Technology: Optical coherence tomography (OCT) relies on detection of reflected infrared light to generate a highly detailed, magnified view of a thin layer of tissue. This technology has been adapted to percutaneous catheters and is being used to examine…
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
Comparative Effectiveness Review of Everolimus- and Zotarolimus-Eluting Stents for Coronary Artery Disease
Purpose of Technology: Drug-eluting stents (DES) are a device/drug combination product consisting of a coronary stent coated in an antiproliferative drug. Stents are placed within an obstructed artery during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) to reestablish blood flow in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Everolimus-eluting stents (EES) and zotarolimus-eluting …
Panniculectomy for Treatment of Symptomatic Panniculi
Purpose of Technology: The purpose of panniculectomy is to remove a panniculus, a large fold of redundant abdominal skin and subcutaneous fat that forms in obese individuals. Because it can hang down over the pubis and groin, a panniculus may cause various skin problems that are difficult to heal (e.g., irritation, rash, inflammation, skin breakdown, ulcers, hygiene issues) or…
Comparative Effectiveness of Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Versus Drug-Based Strategies for Treatment of Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia
Purpose of Technology: Patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) have an overproduction of partially mature white blood cells of the myeloid lineage. High doses of chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy can destroy bone marrow producing the abnormal cells but normal cells are also affected. Allo…
Laparoscopic and Open Surgical Repairs for Treatment of Athletic Groin Pain
Purpose of Technology: Laparoscopic and open surgical techniques may be used to treat a variety of musculoskeletal conditions associated with chronic groin pain in athletes after conservative therapies such as rest, anti-inflammatory medication, physical therapy, and steroids have failed. Athletic groin pain is thought to result from injury, abnormal tension, and/or weakness i…
Comparative Effectiveness Review of Biolimus-Eluting Stents Versus Bare-Metal Stents and Second-Generation Drug-Eluting Stents
Purpose of Technology: Drug-eluting stents (DES) are a device/drug combination product consisting of a coronary stent coated in an antiproliferative drug. Stents are placed within an obstructed artery during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) to reestablish blood flow in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Biolimus-eluting stents (BES) are a group of biodegradab…
Multimodality Intraoperative Monitoring (MIOM) During Cervical Spinal Surgery
Purpose of Technology: Multimodal intraoperative monitoring (MIOM) is increasingly being used during spinal surgical procedures to identify neurological deficits, in “real-time,” in an effort to prevent permanent neurological damage. MIOM involves a variety of neurophysiological techniques, including: somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs), motor evoked potentials (MEPs), and …
Comparative Effectiveness of Fiberoptic Phototherapy for Hyperbilirubinemia in Preterm Infants
Purpose of Technology:
Phototherapy is used to treat jaundice in newborns, and to prevent severe hyperbilirubinemia, and its complications. The lights in phototherapy units emit photons that alter the structure of the bilirubin molecule, which can then be excreted in bile or urine. Fiberoptic phototherapy (FPT) systems are light-emitting pads or blankets that are pla…
Implantable Cardiac Loop Recorders for Diagnosis and Management of Syncope in Adults
Purpose of Technology:
Despite extensive clinical evaluation, the mechanism of syncope (transient loss of consciousness) remains unexplained in a large portion of patients. Implantable cardiac loop recorders (ILRs) are small, battery-operated, electrocardiogram (ECG) monitors, inserted during a minor surgical procedure that evaluates patients with recurrent syncope o…
Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation for Sickle Cell Disease in Children
Purpose of Technology
Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) for sickle cell disease (SCD) involves transplantation of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cells from a human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-matched donor. SCD is a genetic disorder characterized by the presence of abnormal hemoglobin known as hemoglobin S. Patients with SCD have abnormally shaped …