Experiencia y resultados de una Unidad de Evaluación de Tecnologías Sanitarias Hospitalaria

Abstract

Since 2019, the Hospital Health Technology Assessment Unit (UETS) has had a Drug Evaluation Sector that assesses all requests for high-priced or high-risk medications. The reports produced are not binding. It also conducts proactive evaluations.

Objective: To analyze production and response times, annual cost per patient, recommendations, management acceptance, and patient outcomes for medications added during the last five years.

Methodology: Juan P. Garrahan Pediatric Hospital. Design: descriptive, retrospective. Population: hospital patients. The proportion of complete and timely reports, the rejection rate, response time, annual cost per patient, and clinical outcomes were analyzed.

Results: The Drug Evaluation Sector produced 24 reports (56% were complete), 76% of which were for high-priced drugs, and 96% were accepted by management. The median response time was 106 days (range: 5 to 511). Recommendations included approvals for restricted conditions (36%) and rejections (21%). The estimated annual cost per patient ranged from USD 1,757 to USD 314,265. Six drugs were followed for a minimum of two years in 44 patients who met the restricted-use recommendations and did not present clinical outcomes justifying discontinuation.

Conclusions: Despite the non-binding recommendations, acceptance was high.

Clinical reports of patient outcomes allowed for a review of the decisions made.