Ontario health technology assessment series
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In April 2008, the Medical Advisory Secretariat began an evidence-based review of the literature concerning pressure ulcers.Please visit the Medical Advisory Secretariat Web site, http://www.health.gov.on.ca/english/providers/program/mas/tech/tech_mn.html to review these titles that are currently available within the Pressure Ulcers series.PRESSURE ULCER PREVENTION: an evidence based analysisThe cost-effectiveness of prevention strategies for pressure ulcers in long-term care homes in Ontario: projections of the Ontario Pressure Ulcer Model (field evaluation)MANAGEMENT OF CHRONIC PRESSURE ULCERS: an evidence-based analysis (anticipated pubicstion date - mid-2009) PURPOSE: A pressure ulcer, also known as a pressure sore, decubitus ulcer, or bedsore, is defined as a localized injury to the skin/and or underlying tissue occurring most often over a bony prominence and caused by pressure, shear, or friction, alone or in combination. (1) Those at risk for developing pressure ulcers include the elderly and critically ill as well as persons with neurological impairments and those who suffer conditions associated with immobility. Pressure ulcers are graded or staged with a 4-point classification system denoting severity. Stage I represents the beginnings of a pressure ulcer and stage IV, the severest grade, consists of full thickness tissue loss with exposed bone, tendon, and or muscle. (1) In a 2004 survey of Canadian health care settings, Woodbury and Houghton (2) estimated that the prevalence of pressure ulcers at a stage 1 or greater in Ontario ranged between 13.1% and 53% with nonacute health care settings having the highest prevalence rate (Table 1). Executive Summary Table 1: Prevalence of Pressure Ulcers()SettingCanadian Prevalence,% (95% CI)Ontario Prevalence,Range % (n)Acute care25 (23.8-26.3)23.9-29.7 (3418)Nonacute care30 (29.3-31.4)30.0-53.3 (1165)Community care15 (13.4-16.8)13.2 (91)Mixed health care22 (20.9-23.4)13.1-25.7 (3100)All health care settings26 (25.2-26.8)13.1-53.3 (7774)*CI indicates confidence interval.†Nonacute care included sub-acute care, chronic care, complex continuing care, long-term care, and nursing home care.‡Mixed health care includes a mixture of acute, nonacute, and/or community care health care delivery settings.Pressure ulcers have a considerable economic impact on health care systems. In Australia, the cost of treating a single stage IV ulcer has been estimated to be greater than $61,000 (AUD) (approximately $54,000 CDN), (3) while in the United Kingdom the total cost of pressure ulcers has been estimated at £1.4-£2.1 billion annually or 4% of the National Health Service expenditure. (4) Because of the high physical and economic burden of pressure ulcers, this review was undertaken to determine which interventions are effective at preventing the development of pressure ulcers in an at-risk population. ⋯ CIConfidence intervalGRADEGrading of Recommendation Assessment, Development, and EvaluationICUIntensive care unitMASMedical Advisory SecretariatNPUAPNational Pressure Ulcer Advisory PanelRASRisk assessment scaleRCTRandomized controlled trialRNAORegistered Nurses Association of OntarioRRRelative riskRRRRelative risk reduction.
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Ont Health Technol Assess Ser · Jan 2009
Airway clearance devices for cystic fibrosis: an evidence-based analysis.
The purpose of this evidence-based analysis is to examine the safety and efficacy of airway clearance devices (ACDs) for cystic fibrosis and attempt to differentiate between devices, where possible, on grounds of clinical efficacy, quality of life, safety and/or patient preference. ⋯ There is currently a lack of sufficiently powered, long-term, parallel randomized controlled trials investigating the use of ACDs in comparison to other airway clearance techniques. While much of the current evidence suggests no significant difference between various ACDs and alternative therapies/technologies, at least according to outcomes of pulmonary function, there is a strong possibility that past trials were not sufficiently powered to identify a difference. Unfortunately, it is unlikely that there will be any future trials comparing ACDs to CCPT as withholding therapy using an ACD may be seen as unethical at present. Conclusions of clinical effectiveness are as follows: Moderate quality evidence suggests that PEP is at least as effective as or more effective than CCPT, according to primary outcomes of pulmonary function. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED)
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Ont Health Technol Assess Ser · Jan 2009
Optical coherence tomography for age-related macular degeneration and diabetic macular edema: an evidence-based analysis.
The purpose of this evidence-based review was to examine the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of spectral-domain (SD) optical coherence tomography (OCT) in the diagnosis and monitoring of patients with retinal disease, specifically age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetic macular edema (DME). Specifically, the research question addressed was: What is the sensitivity and specificity of spectral domain OCT relative to the gold standard? ⋯ The conclusions for SD OCT based on Level 5 evidence, or expert consultation, are as follows: OCT is considered an essential part of the diagnosis and follow-up of patients with DME and AMD.OCT is adjunctive to FA for both AMD and DME but should decrease utilization of FA as a monitoring modality.OCT will result in a decline in the use of BM in the monitoring of patients with DME, given its increased accuracy and consistency.OCT is diffusing rapidly and the technology is changing. Since FA is still considered pivotal in the diagnosis and treatment of AMD and DME, and there is no common outcome against which to compare these technologies, it is unlikely that RCT evidence of efficacy for OCT will ever be forthcoming.In addition to the accuracy of OCT in the detection of disease, assessment of the clinical utility of this technology included a rapid review of treatment effects for AMD and DME. The treatment of choice for AMD is Lucentis®, with or without Avastin® and photodynamic therapy. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED)
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Ont Health Technol Assess Ser · Jan 2009
Intraocular lenses for the treatment of age-related cataracts: an evidence-based analysis.
The objective of the report is to examine the comparative effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of various intraocular lenses (IOLs) for the treatment of age-related cataracts. ⋯ The conclusions of the systematic review of IOLs for age-related cataracts are summarized in Executive Summary Table 1. CONSIDERATIONS FOR THE ONTARIO HEALTH SYSTEM: Procedures for crystalline lens removal and IOL insertion are insured and listed in the Ontario Schedule of Benefits.If a particular lens is determined to be medically necessary for a patient, the cost of the lens is covered by the hospital budget. If the patient chooses a lens that has enhanced features, then the hospital may choose to charge an additional amount above the cost of the usual lens offered.An IOL manufacturer stated that monofocal lenses comprise approximately 95% of IOL sales in Ontario and premium lenses (e.g., multifocal/accomodative) consist of about 5% of IOL sales.A medical consultant stated that all types of lenses are currently being used in Ontario (e.g., multifocal, monofocal, accommodative, tinted, nontinted, spheric, and aspheric). Nonfoldable lenses, rarely used in routine cases, are primarily used for complicated cataract implantation situations.ES Table 1:Conclusions for the Systematic Review of IOLs for Age-Related CataractsComparisonConclusionGRADE QualityMultifocal vs. monofocalObjective OutcomesSignificant improvement in BDCUNVANo significant difference in BCDVAInconclusive evidence for contrast sensitivityInconclusive evidence for glareSubjective OutcomesInconclusive evidence for visual satisfactionSignificant increase in glare/halosSignificant increase in freedom from spectaclesmoderatemoderatelowvery lowlowlow/moderatelow/moderateAccommodative vs. multifocal/monofocalInconclusive due to Insufficient limited evidence for any effectiveness outcomevery lowHydrophilic acrylic vs. other materials (hydrophobic acrylic, silicone)Significant increase in PCO scoreLowSharp edged compared to round edgedSignificant reduction in PCO scoreLowOne piece compared to three pieceNo significant difference in PCO scorelowHydrophobic acrylic compared to siliconeNo significant difference in PCO scoremoderateAspherical modified prolate anterior surface compared to sphericalNo significant difference in VASignificant reduction in contrast sensitivityvery lowvery lowBlue light filtering compared to non blue-light filteringNo significant difference in BCDVANo significant difference in contrast sensitivityNo significant difference in HRQLlowlowhigh/moderateBCDVA refers to best corrected distance visual acuity; BDCUNVA, best distance corrected unaided near visual acuity; HRQL, health related quality of life; PCO, posterior capsule opacification; VA, visual acuity.