NICE briefings set out evidence base for use of innovative technologies
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence publishes new guidance for health and social care staff considering using new medical devices and other healthcare technologies
Two new guidance documents have been published setting out the evidence base for the use of innovative technologies by NHS trusts.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published its first Medtech Innovation Briefings at the beginning of this year. They were part of a new initiative to support NHS and social care commissioners and staff who are considering using new medical devices and other medical technologies. The information provided includes a description of the medical technology, how it’s used, and its potential role in the treatment pathway.
The briefings also include the likely costs of using the technologies and a review of relevant published evidence, but they are not intended as guidance and do not make any recommendations on the value of using the technologies. Whether or not to use the products described is entirely the choice of local staff. However, the briefings will help avoid the need for organisations to produce similar data, so saving staff time, effort and resources.
The latest Medtech Innovation Briefings to be published cover Acoustic CR Neuromodulation for adults with chronic subjective tonal tinnitus, and the AccuVein AV400 device for vein visualisation. These follow earlier publications covering a range of novel technologies including a device to cool the brain in patients who’ve suffered a heart attack, a system for measuring narrowing of arteries in people with angina, a hydrosurgery device for cleaning wounds, and a test to diagnose kidney damage.
It is hoped this impartial information will help NHS and social care professionals and buyers and commissioners of services with their local decision-making.