Misdiagnosis, Mistreatment, and Harm - When Medical Care Ignores Social Forces.

The Case Studies in Social Medicine demonstrate that when physicians use only biologic or individual behavioral interventions to treat diseases that stem from or are exacerbated by social factors, we risk harming the patients we seek to serve

The MAGEC System for Spinal Lengthening in Children with Scoliosis: A NICE Medical Technology Guidance

Scoliosis—structural lateral curvature of the spine—affects around four children per 1,000. The MAGEC system comprises a magnetically distractible spinal rod implant and an external remote controller, which lengthens the rod; this system avoids repeated surgical lengthening. Rod implants brace the spine internally and are lengthened as the child grows, preventing worsening of scoliosis and delaying the need for spinal fusion. The Medical Technologies Advisory Committee at the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) selected the MAGEC system for evaluation in a NICE medical technologies guidance. Six studies were identified by the sponsor (Ellipse Technologies Inc.) as being relevant to the decision problem. Meta-analysis was used to compare the clinical evidence results with those of one conventional growth rod study, and equal efficacy of the two devices was concluded. The key weakness was selection of a single comparator study. The External Assessment Centre (EAC) identified 16 conventional growth rod studies and undertook meta-analyses of relevant outcomes. Its critique highlighted limitations around study heterogeneity and variations in baseline characteristics and follow-up duration, precluding the ability to draw firm conclusions. The sponsor constructed a de novo costing model showing that MAGEC rods generated cost savings of £9,946 per patient after 6 years, compared with conventional rods. The EAC critiqued and updated the model structure and inputs, calculating robust cost savings of £12,077 per patient with MAGEC rods compared with conventional rods over 6 years. The year of valuation was 2012. NICE issued a positive recommendation as supported by the evidence (Medical Technologies Guidance 18)

Review of Economic Submissions to NICE Medical Technologies Evaluation Programme

The economic evaluation of medical devices is increasingly used to inform decision making on adopting new or novel technologies; however, challenges are inevitable due to the unique characteristics of devices. Cost-consequence analyses are recommended and employed by the English National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) Medical Technologies Evaluation Programme (MTEP) to help address these challenges. The aim of this work was to review the critiques raised for previous MTEP submissions and explore if there were common problems across submissions. We reviewed a sample of 12 economic submissions to MTEP representing 50 % of 24 sets of guidance issued to July 2015. For each submission, we reviewed the External Assessment Centre's (EAC) report and the guidance document produced by NICE. We identified the main problems raised by the EAC's assessments and the committee's considerations for each submission, and explored strategies for improvement. We found that the identification and measurement of costs and consequences are the main shortcomings within economic submissions to MTEP. Together, these shortcomings accounted for 42 % of criticisms by the EACs among the reviewed submissions. In certain circumstances problems with these shortcomings may be unavoidable, for example, if there is a limited evidence base for the device being appraised. Nevertheless, strategies can often be adopted to improve submissions, including the use of more appropriate time horizons, whilst cost and resource use information should be taken, where possible, from nationally representative sources

Cost-effectiveness analysis of the use of high-flow oxygen through nasal cannula in intensive care units in NHS England

<p><b>Objective:</b> To estimate the cost-effectiveness of Nasal High Flow (NHF) in the intensive care unit (ICU) compared with standard oxygen or non-invasive ventilation (NIV) from a UK NHS perspective.</p> <p><b>Methods:</b> Three cost-effectiveness models were developed to reflect scenarios of NHF use: first-line therapy (pre-intubation model); post-extubation in low-risk, and high-risk patients. All models used randomized control trial data on the incidence of intubation/re-intubation, events leading to intubation/re-intubation, mortality and complications. NHS reference costs were primarily used. Sensitivity analyses were conducted.</p> <p><b>Results:</b> When used as first-line therapy, Optiflow™ NHF gives an estimated cost-saving of £469 per patient compared with standard oxygen and £611 versus NIV. NHF cost-savings for high severity sub-group were £727 versus standard oxygen, and £1,011 versus NIV.</p> <p>For low-risk post-intubation patients, NHF generates estimated cost-saving of £156 versus standard oxygen. NHF decreases the number of re-intubations required in these scenarios. Results were robust in most sensitivity analyses.</p> <p>For high-risk post-intubation patients, NHF cost-savings were £104 versus NIV. NHF results in a non-significant increase in re-intubations required. However, reduction in respiratory failure offsets this.</p> <p><b>Conclusions:</b> For patients in ICU who are at risk of intubation or re-intubation, NHF cannula is likely to be cost-saving.</p

Cost-utility analysis of the insufflation of warmed humidified carbon dioxide during open and laparoscopic colorectal surgery

<p><b>Background:</b> An evaluation was conducted to estimate the cost-effectiveness of insufflation of warmed humidified CO₂ during open and laparoscopic colorectal surgery compared with usual care from a UK NHS perspective.</p> <p><b>Methods:</b> Decision analytic models were developed for open and laparoscopic surgery. Incremental costs per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) were estimated. The open surgery model used data on the incidence of intra-operative hypothermia and applied risks of complications for hypothermia and normothermia. The laparoscopic surgery model utilised data describing complications directly. Sensitivity analyses were conducted.</p> <p><b>Results:</b> Compared with usual care, insufflation of warmed humidified CO₂ dominated. For open surgery, savings of £20 and incremental QALYs of 0.013 were estimated per patient. For laparoscopic surgery, savings of £345 and incremental QALYs of 0.001 per patient were estimated. Results were robust to most sensitivity analyses.</p> <p><b>Conclusions:</b> Considering the current evidence base, the intervention is likely to be cost-effective compared with usual care in patients undergoing colorectal surgery.</p