ECRI Blog

Changes in the supply chain, or supply chain disruptions, can happen at any time, but the COVID-19 pandemic set off a domino-effect series of shortages and delays that impacted financial, reputation, and clinical outcomes.

ECRI included supply chain disruptions in its annual list of Top Patient Safety Concerns in 2021, and again in 2022. And while 2023 may bring some improvements, challenges remain.

Healthcare leaders will continue to grapple with supply chain challenges that effect patient safety, healthcare quality, financial standing, and emergency preparedness. In fact, supply chain problems may be compounded by additional medical issues such as RSV and a rampant flu, as well as geopolitical and economic factors, such as war, inflation, spend limits, and staff shortages.

Together these factors slow the supply chain, delaying needed goods, services, and transportation. 

In today's healthcare environment, payers are under increasing pressure to make new and updated medical policy determinations as quickly and cost-effectively as possible.

Health technology assessments (HTAs) can provide a synthesis of the relevant evidence-based clinical literature to enable payers to make informed decisions about whether or not to cover a new medical technology. In this article, we'll explore the importance of HTAs for payers in developing strong, defensible coverage decisions.

What is a health technology assessment?

A HTA is a systematic evaluation of a technology's efficacy, safety, and cost-effectiveness. There are various HTA methods, but all HTAs share a common goal: to provide a fair and objective evaluation of a technology's benefits and risks based on the published clinical literature. This information can be used to help policymakers, clinicians, and healthcare leadersmake informed decisions about whether or not to adopt a new technology.