Excerpt

The Coverage and Analysis Group at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) requested a report from The Technology Assessment Program (TAP) at the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). The focus of this report was to propose a framework to evaluate home testing and to apply the framework to evaluate glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1C) and cholesterol home tests in the management of chronic diseases. AHRQ assigned the report to the following Evidence-based Practice Center: Tufts Medical Center EPC (Contract No. HHSA 290 2007 100551).

Contents

• Introduction
  • Summary of tasks and key questions
• Methods
  • Framework
  • Home tests for hemoglobin A1c and cholesterol
  • Horizon scan
• Results
  • Framework for evaluating a home test in the management of a chronic disease
  • Literature review of HbA1c and cholesterol home tests
  • Horizon scan
• Discussion
  • Future studies
• Reference List

This report is based on research conducted by the Tufts Medical Center EPC under contract to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), Rockville, MD (Contract No. HHSA 290 2007 100551). The findings and conclusions in this document are those of the authors who are responsible for its contents; the findings and conclusions do not necessarily represent the views of AHRQ. No statement in this article should be construed as an official position of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality or of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

The information in this report is intended to help health care decision-makers; patients and clinicians, health system leaders, and policymakers, make well-informed decisions and thereby improve the quality of health care services. This report is not intended to be a substitute for the application of clinical judgment. Decisions concerning the provision of clinical care should consider this report in the same way as any medical reference and in conjunction with all other pertinent information, i.e., in the context of available resources and circumstances presented by individual patients.

This report may be used, in whole or in part, as the basis for development of clinical practice guidelines and other quality enhancement tools, or as a basis reimbursement and coverage policies. AHRQ or U.S. Department of Health and Human Services endorsement of such derivative products may not be stated or implied.

None of the investigators has any affiliations or financial involvement related to the material presented in this report.