title: Development of sustainable models for technology evaluation in hospital.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This paper reports the development of standard techniques for technology evaluation in hospital carried out at the Florence Teaching Hospital Careggi (AOUC), where, as a complex system, the technological evaluation is a strategic and essential element for the maintenance of high-quality clinical activity and maximization of available resources.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this paper has been the development of a system of economically sustainable models for the implementation of HTA and HS analyses in the hospital environment as well as presenting, in addition to a valid scientific resilience, the methodological and temporary flexibility to satisfy needs of hospital decision-makers.
  
  
  METHODS
  The evaluation models call for 3 main phases: an initial analysis of the in-hospital request, a collection of data, and finally a draft of a specific, easily usable set of reports.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three standardized and tested models of evaluation were developed, which, in relation to the objective of the request and schedule of the assignment, provide for the production of a speedy report (1-week), an intermediate report (1-month), or a extensive report typical of classical studies of hospital based HTA (1-year). It is then related to the evaluation model of the IORT (Intra-Operative Radiation Therapy) technology.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The developed models have permitted the construction, using personnel and laboratories within the hospital, of an evaluation system reliable and responsive to the HOSPITAL's temporary needs based on the HS and HTA analyses in the hospital environment. Regarding the applicable case of IORT, this has shown how in-hospital requests have been satisfied in the preset time: although it establishes expected improvements on the social effect and weight of the illness and reveals a high territorial strategic relevance, the introduction of IORT in the hospital presents some criticalities on the impact on the healthcare organization and the necessity of specific training of medical technologist personnel.
authors.affiliation: Department of Information Engineering, Biomedical Laboratory, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Miniati
authors.affiliation: Department of Information Engineering, Biomedical Laboratory, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Frosini
authors.affiliation: Department of Information Engineering, Biomedical Laboratory, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: Giulio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cecconi
authors.affiliation: Department of Information Engineering, Biomedical Laboratory, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: Fabrizio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Dori
authors.affiliation: Department of Information Engineering, Biomedical Laboratory, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: G Biffi
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Gentili
mesh_terms: D002017:Budgets; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D003625:Data Collection / Q000379:methods; D003657:Decision Making; D006739:Hospital Administration / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D013673:Technology Assessment, Biomedical / Q000379:methods*
keywords: Horizon scanning; IORT; health technology assessment; hospital based