use of this technology. The data was analyzed using the check list of mini-HTA. Results The data analysis emphasizes that the use of Harmonic Scalpel (HS) in thyroid surgery involves a reduction of operative time (Table 2). In order to selleck chem Alisertib estimate the total cost for each procedure we have considered: the technology purchasing cost, involved staff cost, the cost of the operating room, the cost of hospitalization. Table 2 INVOLVED STAFF COST. The estimated total cost for the procedure, obtained by adding all the cost items previously calculated (see Tables 3 to to4),4), was subsequently linked to the value DRG 290 applied by the Umbria region for the payment of work performed on an inpatient ordinary (Table 5). Table 3.1 AVERAGE COST OF OPERATING ROOM AND HOSPITALIZATION ABOUT HARMONIC FOCUS PROCEDURE.

Table 4.1 ESTIMATED COST WITH HARMONIC FOCUS PROCEDURE. Table 5 ESTIMATED COST PER PROCEDURE COMPARED TO TUC DRG 290 RATE (E.G YEAR 2009). The hospital cost estimated by our analysis of procedures performed with standard tool is � 3,055, while the estimated cost of patients operated with Harmonic is � 2,768. Discussion The increase of the technology, the increase of the average life, the need to reduce the cost of health benefits has led to the development of methods for estimating the usefulness of each procedure. The HTA started in the U.S. during end of 60s years, it is an analytical tool to assess the economic, social and legal support of new technologies. Therefore it represents the ��bridge�� between the scientific and management world.

The purpose of HTA is to assist and to advise the health management to drive the health policy. It has been applied for the first time to assess the possibility of incorporating new technologies in radiology services (1�C3). HTA is divided into macro, meso e mini. The macro-HTA used to support health policy and macroeconomic. The meso-HTA, also known in the literature as Hospital Based HTA, is designed to support the governance, to divulge qualitative and quantitative standards of care and to encourage the timely transfer of macro-HTA in the health care. The mini-HTA regards, however, the decision-making process directly in the conduct of clinical departments. Meso- and mini-HTA experience of the Italian health companies have been implemented in the following areas: performance (day surgery, specialist outpatient, home care, etc.

), clinical-organization (guidelines, care pathways, audit, etc.), investment plan and management of medical equipment and medical devices, directly in the decision-making process. GSK-3 The Italian HTA report is based on the Danish model which identifies the following four points (5�C8): – Technology – To examine the technology considered to clarify the application and the target, taking into account the possible alternatives, investigate any national or international guidelines; – Patient – To examine all aspects that impact on the patient from the use of technology, analysis of reference, the