Contemporary Health Management

    Scenario A few (three out of 10) of the orthopaedic surgeons in your private facility would like to start using a new hip prosthesis for routine hip replacement surgery. The new prosthesis has been approved by the TGA and uses new ceramic technology which is purported to provide a longer life, reducing the need for replacement after the 10-15 year service life of the current devices in use at your facility. The new device is $2,000 more than the current devices and this would be borne by patients who opt for the device (out of pocket expenses) as it is not covered by the major health insurers as yet. For the new device, some very preliminary evidence exists showing that the device is safe (and this is what was used to obtain approval from the TGA), however, no 10 year plus studies have been reported. Not all the surgeons want to use the new device, therefore it will be additional to the hospital inventory. In addition, as is the case with new equipment, there will be flow on effects; the training staff of staff, ensuring there are enough equipment sets in theatre and in order to rotate through sterilising, more ‘advisors’ from the manufacturers in the theatre, etc. Task     1. Review the frameworks and tools in place for new Health Technology Assessment across Australian jurisdictions. Of the tools identify one that you will use as a template to guide a business case for the assessment of this new technology in a paper to the board. Ensure you advise in this answer why you have chosen this tool/framework/template. Business Case (2,500 words) 2. Develop a business case (using a selected framework from Step 1 above) for the introduction of this new hip replacement prosthesis. It is assumed you will draw on information throughout the course for this business case, points to consider would include area’s such as risks and benefits, but would include all aspects of contemporary health management. 3. Make a recommendation to your manager, based on the business case and risk assessment that you have conducted, on whether to introduce the device. What do you base this recommendation on? 4. Outline how you would communicate such a recommendation to the stakeholders including the surgeons and the manufacturer. 5. Outline resources required to implement this new service, including the various policies and procedures necessary and training processes to commence the use of this new technology