Technology Assessment Program | Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality (AHRQ)

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Open</h4> <div class="gray-aside-arrow"></div> </div>  <p><strong>Draft Technology Assessment for Review:<br/> <a href="/web/20140702221028/http://www.ahrq.gov/research/findings/ta/call-for-public-review.html"><em>Negative Pressure Wound Therapy Technologies</em></a><br/> </strong>Available: July 1 to July 16, 2014 (extended due to the holiday)</p>  </div> </aside> <h1>Technology Assessment Program</h1> <div> <div id="email-updates"> Sign up: <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20140702221028/https://subscriptions.ahrq.gov/service/subscribe.html?code=USAHRQ_18"><img src="/web/20140702221028im_/http://www.ahrq.gov/resources/img/mail-updates-icon.png" alt="mail-updates-icon" width="16" height="13"/> Technology Assessments Email updates</a> </div> </div><div class="page-description"><span>The Technology Assessment (TA) Program at the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) provides technology assessments for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). These technology assessments are used by CMS to inform its national coverage decisions for the Medicare program as well as provide information to Medicare carriers. </span></div> <ul> <li><a href="#tapubrev">Public Review</a></li> <li><a href="#tacomplete">Technology Assessments Completed</a></li> <li><a href="#taprogress">Technology Assessments in Progress</a></li> <li><a href="#archive">Technology Assessment Archive</a></li> <li><a href="#trcomplete">Topic Refinements Completed</a></li> </ul> <p>AHRQ's TA Program uses state-of-the-art methodologies for assessing the clinical utility of medical interventions. Technology assessments are based on a systematic review of the literature, along with appropriate qualitative and quantitative methods of synthesizing data from multiple studies.</p> <p>Technology assessments may be done in-house by AHRQ staff, or they may be done in collaboration with one of our <a href="/web/20140702221028/http://www.ahrq.gov/research/findings/evidence-based-reports/centers/index.html">Evidence-based Practice Centers</a>. When available, technology assessment topics are linked to corresponding information on the CMS Web site. For additional information, please contact the Technology Assessment Program at <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20140702221028/mailto:AHRQTAP@ahrq.hhs.gov">AHRQTAP@ahrq.hhs.gov</a>.</p> <p>Potential TA topics may go through a formal AHRQ Topic Refinement process.  When CMS requests a Topic Refinement, the potential TA’s key questions and overall scope are reviewed by invited stakeholders, and the resulting document is posted for public comment.</p> <a id="tapubrev" name="tapubrev"> </a> <h2>Public Review</h2> <p>To get complete public review, the AHRQ TA Program will post draft reports on the AHRQ TA Web site. To meet the timelines for Medicare coverage decisions mandated by the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003, draft technology assessment reports will be available for public review for a limited time. A notice will be sent out on the CMS Medicare Coverage and AHRQ Effective Health Care Email distribution lists 1 week before the posting of draft reports. Each report will be available for public review on this Web site for a total of 2 weeks.</p> <p>The AHRQ TA Program supports and is committed to the transparency of its review process. Therefore, starting March 18, 2009, invited peer review comments and public review comments will be publicly posted on the TA Program Web site within 3 months after the associated final report is posted on this Web site. The report authors' responses to the comments (the "disposition of comments") will be posted on the same Web page as the associated comments.</p> <p>If topics undergo a formal Topic Refinement, the Topic Refinement document containing the scope of the potential TA will be posted on the AHRQ TA Web site for 2 weeks for public comment. Once public comments have been considered and revisions have been completed, the final Topic Refinement document will be posted on the AHRQ Web site.</p> <a id="tacomplete" name="tacomplete"> </a> <h2>Technology Assessments Completed</h2> <h3>2013</h3> <ul> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20140702221028/http://www.cms.gov/medicare-coverage-database/details/technology-assessments-details.aspx?TAId=91&bc=AAAQAAAAAAAAAA%3d%3d&">Assessment on Implantable Defibrillators and the Evidence for Primary Prevention of Sudden Cardiac Death</a><br/>     <a href="/web/20140702221028/http://www.ahrq.gov/research/findings/ta/implant-defib/imp_defib_comments.pdf">Disposition of Comments</a> [<img alt="PDF file" class="icon" contenteditable="false" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20140702221028im_/http://www.ahrq.gov/resources/file_logos/pdf.gif" title="PDF file" unselectable="on"/> PDF File—722 KB]</li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20140702221028/http://www.cms.gov/medicare-coverage-database/details/technology-assessments-details.aspx?TAId=89&TimeFrame=30&DocType=All&bc=AQAAIAAAAAAAAA%3d%3d&">Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization (FISH) or Other In Situ Hybridization (ISH) Testing of Uterine Cervical Cells to Predict Precancer and Cancer</a><br/>     <a href="/web/20140702221028/http://www.ahrq.gov/research/findings/ta/comments/fish-ish-comments.html">Disposition of Comments</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20140702221028/http://www.ahrq.gov/research/findings/ta/skinsubs/HCPR0610_skinsubst-final.pdf">Skin Substitutes for Treating Chronic Wounds: Final Report</a> [<img alt="PDF file" class="icon" contenteditable="false" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20140702221028im_/http://www.ahrq.gov/resources/file_logos/pdf.gif" title="PDF file" unselectable="on"/> PDF File—1.4 MB]<br/>     <a href="/web/20140702221028/http://www.ahrq.gov/research/findings/ta/skinsubs/HCPR0610_skinsubstitute_comments.pdf">Disposition of Comments</a> [<img alt="PDF file" class="icon" contenteditable="false" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20140702221028im_/http://www.ahrq.gov/resources/file_logos/pdf.gif" title="PDF file" unselectable="on"/> PDF File—1.89 MB]</li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20140702221028/http://www.cms.gov/medicare-coverage-database/details/technology-assessments-details.aspx?TAId=90&TimeFrame=30&DocType=All&bc=AQAAIAAAAAAAAA%3d%3d&">Technology Assessment on Genetic Testing or Molecular Pathology Testing of Cancers with Unknown Primary Site to Determine Origin</a><br/>     <a href="/web/20140702221028/http://www.ahrq.gov/research/findings/ta/comments/cancer-unk-comments.pdf">Disposition of Comments</a> [<img alt="PDF file" class="icon" contenteditable="false" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20140702221028im_/http://www.ahrq.gov/resources/file_logos/pdf.gif" title="PDF file" unselectable="on"/> PDF File—520 KB]</li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20140702221028/http://www.cms.gov/medicare-coverage-database/details/technology-assessments-details.aspx?TAId=92&bc=AAAQAAAAAAAAAA%3d%3d&">Update on Genetic Tests Currently Available for Clinical Use in Common Cancers</a><br/>     <a href="/web/20140702221028/http://www.ahrq.gov/research/findings/ta/gentestscc/genetictests_comments.pdf">Disposition of Comments</a> [<img alt="PDF file" class="icon" contenteditable="false" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20140702221028im_/http://www.ahrq.gov/resources/file_logos/pdf.gif" title="PDF file" unselectable="on"/> PDF File—292 KB]</li> </ul> <h3>2012</h3> <ul> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20140702221028/https://www.cms.gov/medicare-coverage-database/details/technology-assessments-details.aspx?TAId=78">The Impact of Pre-transplant Red Blood Cell Transfusions in Renal Allograph Rejection</a><br/>      <a href="/web/20140702221028/http://www.ahrq.gov/research/findings/ta/renal-transplant/index.html">Disposition of Comments</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20140702221028/http://www.ahrq.gov/research/findings/ta/carotidstenosis/carotidstenosis.pdf">Management of Asymptomatic Carotid Stenosis</a> [<img alt="PDF file" class="icon" contenteditable="false" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20140702221028im_/http://www.ahrq.gov/resources/file_logos/pdf.gif" title="PDF file" unselectable="on"/> PDF File—1.7 MB]<br/>      <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20140702221028/http://www.ahrq.gov/legacy/clinic/ta/comments/carotidstenosis/">Disposition of Comments</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20140702221028/https://www.cms.gov/medicare-coverage-database/details/technology-assessments-details.aspx?TAId=84">Measuring Health-Related Quality of Life for Patients with Diabetic Retinopathy</a><br/>      <a href="/web/20140702221028/http://www.ahrq.gov/research/findings/ta/diabetic-retinopathy.html">Disposition of Comments</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20140702221028/http://www.cms.gov/medicare-coverage-database/details/technology-assessments-details.aspx?TAId=88">Systematic Review of Decision Tools and their Suitability for Patient-Centered Decisionmaking regarding Electronic Cardiac Device</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20140702221028/http://www.cms.gov/medicare-coverage-database/details/technology-assessments-details.aspx?TAId=83">Systematic Review of ECG-based Signal Analysis Technologies for Evaluating Patients With Acute Coronary Syndrome</a><br/>      <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20140702221028/http://www.ahrq.gov/legacy/clinic/ta/comments/ecgbasedtech/">Disposition of Comments</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20140702221028/http://www.cms.gov/medicare-coverage-database/details/technology-assessments-details.aspx?TAId=87">Update on Mapping the Landscape of Genetic Tests for Non-Cancer Diseases/Conditions</a><br/>      <a href="/web/20140702221028/http://www.ahrq.gov/research/findings/ta/gentests/index.html">Disposition of Comments</a></li> </ul> <h3>2011</h3> <ul> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20140702221028/https://www.cms.gov/medicare-coverage-database/details/technology-assessments-details.aspx?TAId=80">Effectiveness of Cochlear Implants in Adults with Sensorineural Hearing Loss</a><br/>      <a href="/web/20140702221028/http://www.ahrq.gov/research/findings/ta/cochlearimpl/index.html">Disposition of Comments</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20140702221028/https://www.cms.gov/medicare-coverage-database/details/technology-assessments-details.aspx?TAId=79">Health Risk Appraisal</a><br/>      <a href="/web/20140702221028/http://www.ahrq.gov/research/findings/ta/healthrisk/index.html">Disposition of Comments</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20140702221028/https://www.cms.gov/medicare-coverage-database/details/technology-assessments-details.aspx?TAId=82">Lifestyle Interventions for Four Conditions: Breast Cancer, Prostate Cancer, Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, and Metabolic Syndrome</a><br/>      <a href="/web/20140702221028/http://www.ahrq.gov/research/findings/ta/lifestyle/index.html">Disposition of Comments</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20140702221028/http://www.cms.gov/medicare-coverage-database/details/technology-assessments-details.aspx?TAId=77&c=BAAgAAAAAAAA">Outcomes of Sipuleucel-T Therapy</a><br/>      <a href="/web/20140702221028/http://www.ahrq.gov/research/findings/ta/sipuleucel-t-herapy/index.html">Disposition of Comments</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20140702221028/https://www.cms.gov/medicare-coverage-database/details/technology-assessments-details.aspx?TAId=81">Update of Horizon Scans of Genetic Tests Currently Available for Clinical Use in Cancers</a><br/>      <a href="/web/20140702221028/http://www.ahrq.gov/research/findings/ta/horizongentests/index.html">Disposition of Comments</a></li> </ul> <h3>2010</h3> <ul> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20140702221028/http://www.cms.gov/medicare-coverage-database/details/technology-assessments-details.aspx?TAId=75&bc=BAAgAAAAAAAA">Bone Morphogenetic Protein: The State of the Evidence for On-Label and Off-Label Use</a><br/>     <a href="/web/20140702221028/http://www.ahrq.gov/research/findings/ta/comments/boneprotein.html">Disposition of Comments</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20140702221028/http://www.cms.gov/medicare-coverage-database/details/technology-assessments-details.aspx?TAId=74&bc=BAAgAAAAAAAA&">Consideration of Evidence on Antiemetic Drugs for Nausea and Vomiting Associated with Chemotherapy or Radiation Therapy</a><br/>     <a href="/web/20140702221028/http://www.ahrq.gov/research/findings/ta/comments/index.html">Disposition of Comments</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20140702221028/http://www.cms.gov/medicare-coverage-database/details/technology-assessments-details.aspx?TAId=66&bc=BAAgAAAAAAAA&">Diagnosis and Treatment of Secondary Lymphedema</a><br/>     <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20140702221028/http://www.ahrq.gov/legacy/clinic/ta/comments/lymphedema/">Disposition of Comments</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20140702221028/http://www.cms.gov/medicare-coverage-database/details/technology-assessments-details.aspx?TAId=73&bc=BAAgAAAAAAAA&">ECG-based Signal Analysis Technologies</a><br/>     <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20140702221028/http://www.ahrq.gov/legacy/clinic/ta/comments/cardiacspectral/">Disposition of Comments</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20140702221028/http://www.cms.gov/medicare-coverage-database/details/technology-assessments-details.aspx?TAId=49&bc=BAAgAAAAAAAA&">Genetic Tests for Non-Cancer Diseases/Conditions: A Horizon Scan (Updated)</a><br/>     <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20140702221028/http://www.ahrq.gov/legacy/clinic/ta/comments/noncantests/">Disposition of Comments</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20140702221028/http://www.cms.gov/medicare-coverage-database/details/technology-assessments-details.aspx?TAId=72&bc=BAAgAAAAAAAA&">Quality, Regulation and Clinical Utility of Laboratory-developed Molecular Tests (Corrected Final Report)</a><br/>     <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20140702221028/http://www.ahrq.gov/legacy/clinic/ta/comments/clia/errata.htm">Errata</a> (<a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20140702221028/http://www.ahrq.gov/legacy/clinic/ta/comments/clia/clia_errata.pdf">PDF File</a>, 94 KB)<br/>     <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20140702221028/http://www.ahrq.gov/legacy/clinic/ta/comments/clia/">Disposition of Comments</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20140702221028/http://www.cms.gov/medicare-coverage-database/details/technology-assessments-details.aspx?TAId=69&bc=BAAgAAAAAAAA&">Radiation Therapy for Localized Prostate Cancer: An Update</a><br/>     <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20140702221028/http://www.ahrq.gov/legacy/clinic/ta/comments/prostatecan/">Disposition of Comments</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20140702221028/http://www.cms.gov/medicare-coverage-database/details/technology-assessments-details.aspx?TAId=71&bc=BAAgAAAAAAAA&">Report on the Evidence Regarding Off-Label Indications for Targeted Therapies used in Cancer Treatment</a><br/>     <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20140702221028/http://www.ahrq.gov/legacy/clinic/ta/comments/targettherapy/">Disposition of Comments</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20140702221028/http://www.cms.gov/medicare-coverage-database/details/technology-assessments-details.aspx?TAId=68&bc=BAAgAAAAAAAA&">A Systematic Review of Loss-of-Heterozygosity Based Topographic Genotyping with PathfinderTG®</a> (PDF File, 400 KB)<br/>     <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20140702221028/http://www.ahrq.gov/legacy/clinic/ta/comments/redpath/">Disposition of Comments</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20140702221028/http://www.cms.gov/medicare-coverage-database/details/technology-assessments-details.aspx?TAId=76&bc=BAAgAAAAAAAA&">Systematic Reviews on Selected Pharmacogenetic Tests for Cancer Treatment: CYP2D6 for Tamoxifen in Breast Cancer, KRAS for anti-EGFR antibodies in Colorectal Cancer, and BCR-ABL1 for Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia</a><br/>     <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20140702221028/http://www.ahrq.gov/legacy/clinic/ta/comments/pharmgentests/">Disposition of Comments</a></li> </ul> <h3>2009</h3> <ul> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20140702221028/http://www.cms.gov/medicare-coverage-database/details/technology-assessments-details.aspx?TAId=58&bc=BAAgAAAAAAAA&">Cost-Effectiveness of CT Colonography to Screen for ColorectalCancer</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20140702221028/http://www.cms.gov/medicare-coverage-database/details/technology-assessments-details.aspx?TAId=67&bc=BAAgAAAAAAAA&">Horizon Scan: To What Extent Do Changes In Third-Party Payment Affect Clinical Trials And The Evidence Base?</a> (PDF File, 520 KB)</li> <li><a href="ta/negpresswtd/">Negative Pressure Wound Therapy Devices</a><br/>     <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20140702221028/http://www.ahrq.gov/legacy/clinic/ta/comments/npwt/">Disposition of Comments</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20140702221028/http://www.cms.gov/medicare-coverage-database/details/technology-assessments-details.aspx?TAId=61&bc=BAAgAAAAAAAA&">Reviews of Selected Pharmacogenetic Tests for Non-Cancer and Cancer Conditions</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20140702221028/http://www.cms.gov/medicare-coverage-database/details/technology-assessments-details.aspx?TAId=65&bc=BAAgAAAAAAAA&">Use of Bayesian Techniques in Randomized Clinical Trials: A CMS Case Study</a><br/>     <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20140702221028/http://www.ahrq.gov/legacy/clinic/ta/comments/bayesian/">Disposition of Comments</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20140702221028/http://www.cms.gov/medicare-coverage-database/details/technology-assessments-details.aspx?TAId=64&bc=BAAgAAAAAAAA&">White Paper: Potential Conflict of Interest in the Production of Drug Compendia</a></li> </ul> <p class="size2">* Not available electronically. Contact <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20140702221028/mailto:AHRQTAP@ahrq.hhs.gov">AHRQTAP@ahrq.hhs.gov</a> for report availability. </p> <p class="size2"><a id="inprocess" name="inprocess"> </a>** Report is completed, but in the process of being prepared for posting. Please check back for updates.</p> <p><a id="taprogress" name="taprogress"> </a></p> <h2>Technology Assessments in Progress</h2> <p><strong>Projects in final production phase (post-review)</strong></p> <ul> <li>Cardiovascular Procedures and Subsequent Cognitive Function.</li> <li>Genetic Testing for Risk of Recurrent Cancer.</li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20140702221028/http://www.cms.hhs.gov/mcd/viewtechassess.asp?from2=viewtechassess.asp&where=index&tid=41">Spinal Fusion for the Treatment of Low Back Pain Secondary to Lumbar Degenerative Disc Disease</a> (Draft)<a href="#draft">***</a></li> </ul> <p><strong>Projects currently under review</strong></p> <ul> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20140702221028/http://www.ahrq.gov/research/findings/ta/call-for-public-review.html">Negative Pressure Wound Therapy Technologies</a>.</li> </ul>  <p><strong>Projects in early-mid production phase (pre-review)</strong></p> <ul> <li>Catheter Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation.</li> <li>The Effectiveness of Hyaluronic Acid in the Treatment of Severe Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) of the Knee.</li> <li>Pain Management Injection Therapies for Low-Back Pain.</li> <li>Use of Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy in the Medicare Population (Review Protocol [<img alt="PDF file" class="icon" contenteditable="false" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20140702221028im_/http://www.ahrq.gov/resources/file_logos/pdf.gif" title="PDF file" unselectable="on"/> <a href="/web/20140702221028/http://www.ahrq.gov/research/findings/ta/topicrefinement/CRT_protocol.pdf">PDF File</a>—257 KB])</li> </ul> <p><a id="draft" name="draft"> </a>*** An updated report is being completed by the Effective Health Care Program and will be available when finished at <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20140702221028/http://effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov/index.cfm/search-for-guides-reviews-and-reports/?pageaction=displaytopic&topicid=410">http://effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov/index.cfm/search-for-guides-reviews-and-reports/?pageaction=displaytopic&topicid=410</a>.</p> <h2><a id="archive" name="archive"> </a>Technology Assessment Archive</h2> <p><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20140702221028/http://archive.ahrq.gov/clinic/techarch.htm">Technology Assessments for 1990-2008<br/> </a>These technology assessments were completed at least 4 years ago, and some as many as 20 years ago. These assessments may be outdated due to more recent research findings not included in the assessments and should be viewed cautiously in current medical practice. They are maintained for archival purposes only.</p> <a id="trcomplete" name="trcomplete"> </a> <h2>Topic Refinements Completed</h2> <ul> <li>Catheter Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation—Review Protocol [<img alt="PDF file" class="icon" contenteditable="false" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20140702221028im_/http://www.ahrq.gov/resources/file_logos/pdf.gif" title="PDF file" unselectable="on"/> <a href="/web/20140702221028/http://www.ahrq.gov/research/findings/ta/topicrefinement/afib_protocol.pdf">PDF File</a>—324 KB]</li> <li>Pain Management Injection Therapies for Low-Back Pain</li> <li>Therapeutic Options for Obesity in the Medicare Population</li> <li>Use of Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy in the Medicare Population [<img alt="PDF file" class="icon" contenteditable="false" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20140702221028im_/http://www.ahrq.gov/resources/file_logos/pdf.gif" title="PDF file" unselectable="on"/> <a href="/web/20140702221028/http://www.ahrq.gov/research/findings/ta/topicrefinement/CRT_topicref.pdf">PDF File</a>—142 KB]</li> </ul> <p></p> <div class="current-as-of">Current as of July 2014</div> <div class="citation"> <span>Internet Citation: Technology Assessment Program. July 2014. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Rockville, MD. http://www.ahrq.gov/research/findings/ta/index.html</span> <div class="citation-flag"></div> </div> </article>  </div> </div> </div> </div> <footer> <div id="top-button-container" class="container_12"> <a href="#tiptop" id="top-button">Back to top<img src="/web/20140702221028im_/http://www.ahrq.gov/resources/img/top-button-icon.png" alt="Go back to top" width="25" height="25"/></a> </div> <div id="footer-separator"></div> <div id="median-container"> <div id="median" class="container_12"> <a href="/web/20140702221028/http://www.ahrq.gov/index.html" class="grid_2 alpha"><img src="/web/20140702221028im_/http://www.ahrq.gov/resources/img/ahrq-footer-logo.png" alt="AHRQ" width="70" height="30"/></a> <nav id="legal"><ul class="grid_6"> <li> <span><a href="/web/20140702221028/http://www.ahrq.gov/policy/electronic/accessibility/index.html">Accessibility</a></span> </li><li> <span><a 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