Medical device evaluation in the United Kingdom: past, present and future.
The evaluation of medical devices in the UK has been through many changes since the early hospital equipment assessments in the 1960s. The range of medical devices evaluated has increased and the evaluation reports published have changed, but the evaluation programme continues to be a respected service for the NHS and social care. This review documents the history of the Device Evaluation Service, from its beginnings to the present day, and looks forward to its future. Following an independent strategic review and the Healthcare Industries Task Force (HITF) recommendations, the Device Evaluation Service is now entering a new and exciting developmental phase.
Crawford
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Clinical Engineering Device Assessment and Reporting, Cardiff Medicentre, Cardiff, UK. Diane.Crawford@cardiffandvale.wales.nhs.uk
D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis / Q000379:methods*; D004864:Equipment and Supplies; D006078:Government Programs / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000639:trends; D009313:National Health Programs / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000639:trends; D011358:Product Surveillance, Postmarketing / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000639:trends; D006113:United Kingdom