[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 66 (Wednesday, April 6, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-8184]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: April 6, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Agency for Health Care Policy and Research

 

Assessment of Medical Technology

    The Agency for Health Care Policy and Research (AHCPR), through its 
Office of Health Technology Assessment (OHTA), announces that it is 
initiating a Technology Assessment or a Technology Review (see below) 
of the safety, clinical effectiveness and indications for the use of 
signal-averaged electrocardiography (SAECG). This technique reduces the 
level of background noise that is present in the standard 
electrocardiography and allows the detection of signals of very low 
amplitude, such as ventricular late potentials. The AHCPR is 
particularly interested in whether the performance of SAECG has a 
positive effect on health outcomes and whether it influences the 
medical management of the patient.
    A description of AHCPR's process for conducting technology 
assessments and technology reviews was published in the Federal 
Register, December 3, 1993. In brief, the full assessment process 
includes an extensive review of the published literature, consultation 
with other components of the Public Health Service (PHS), obtaining 
information from relevant specialty groups and evaluation of 
information received in response to a Federal Register notice. A 
technology review is a shorter evaluation of a technology; it may be 
performed if the medical or scientific questions posed are limited, the 
available evidence is limited and the published medical literature is 
insufficient in quantity or quality, or the time frame available 
precludes utilization of the full assessment process.
    The AHCPR is interested in receiving information which would help 
in the assessment or review of the technology as described above. To 
enable the scientific community to evaluate the information included in 
the assessment or review, AHCPR will discuss in the assessment or 
review only those data and analyses for which a source(s) may be cited. 
Respondents are therefore encouraged to include with their submissions 
a written consent permitting AHCPR to cite the sources of the data and 
comments provided. Otherwise, in accordance with the confidentiality 
statute governing information collected by AHCPR, 42 U.S.C. 299a-l(c), 
no information received will be published or disclosed which could 
identify an individual or entity described in the information, or could 
identify an entity or individual supplying the information.
    Information and comments should be submitted in writing no later 
than July 5, 1994 to the AHCPR Office of Health Technology Assessment 
at the address below.

Thomas V. Holohan, M.D., Director, Office of Health Technology 
Assessment, AHCPR, 6000 Executive Boulevard, suite 309, Rockville, MD 
20852, Phone: (301) 594-4023.

    Dated: March 30, 1994.
J. Jarrett Clinton,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 94-8184 Filed 4-5-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4160-90-P