La evaluación de nuevas tecnologías en salud en hospitales: revisión narrativa

Abstract

The rapid evolution of technology and subsequent growth of diagnostic and therapeutic methods has brought about a growing interest in health professionals for having the latest and best technologies to serve patients as these resources are expected to reduce clinical uncertainty regarding diagnosis and treatment. Technological advances are acknowledged in part as being responsible for the improvement in the health of communities and the increase in life expectancy of the population. However, the large number of emerging innovations suggests that health systems must implement an appropriate selection process to ensure that the benefits and objectives are in fact achieved. The selection process of new technologies should include both the analysis of the technology itself as well as how it compares to others. This process is known as health technology assessment. These evaluations focus on the macro level, mainly from national assessment agencies, which evaluate with the aim of regulating the implementation of technologies in the Colombian health systems, which is a benefit plan. However, new technologies are only available in health institutions, which involves an assessment that regulates technologies at that level and is internationally known as hospital-based health technology assessment. This document provides a description of technology assessment with an emphasis on hospital methodologies.