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Rising prices of novel cancer medications are increasing the economic burden from cancer in Jordan, risking the ability of cancer patients to access lifesaving and life-extending treatments. Furthermore, in the absence of a national health technology assessment (HTA) framework, medication prices in Jordan are set based on manufacturers’ pricing considerations and not a value proposition. In response to these challenges, King Hussein Cancer Center (KHCC), the de facto national cancer institute, developed a first-in-country, cancer-specific, cost-effectiveness threshold (CET) to aid institutional decision makers in approving only cost-effective medications. Over the past 10 years, cost-effectiveness analyses based on this CET have led to the introduction of > 70% of requested novel cancer medications after manufacturers agreed to lower prices, beyond registration prices, to meet the CET. Future work is warranted to empirically derive a CET for Jordan to better guide reimbursement decisions.

Value-of-information analysis (VOI) is a decision-theoretic approach that is used to inform reimbursement decisions, optimise trial design and set research priorities. The application of VOI analysis for informing policy decisions in practice has been limited due, in part, to the perceived complexity associated with the calculation of VOI measures. Recent efforts have resulted in the development of efficient methods to estimate VOI measures and the development of user-friendly web-based tools to facilitate VOI calculations. We review the existing web-based tools including Sheffield Accelerated Value of Information (SAVI), the web interface to the BCEA (Bayesian Cost-Effectiveness Analysis) R package (BCEAweb), Rapid Assessment of Need for Evidence (RANE), and Value of Information for Cardiovascular Trials and Other Comparative Research (VICTOR). We describe what each tool is designed to do, the inputs they require, and the outputs they produce. Finally, we discuss how tools for VOI calculations might be improved in the future to facilitate the use of VOI analysis in practice.

Alana Delaforce,1– 3 Jed Duff,1,4 Judy Munday,3– 5 Shannon Farmer,6,7 Kristin Miller,2 Lynne Glover,2 Christopher Corney,2 Cameron Hurst,8 Gareth Ansell,2,9 Naadir Gutta,2,9 Haitham Tuffaha,10 Janet Hardy2,3 1School of Nursing and Midwifery, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia; 2Mater Health Services, South Brisbane, QLD, Australia; 3Mater Research Institute-UQ, South Brisbane, QLD, Australia; 4Centre for Healthcare Transformation/School of Nursing, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, QLD, Australia; 5Faculty of Health and Sport Science, The University of Agder, Kristiansand, Norway; 6Department of Haematology, Royal Perth Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia; 7Medical School and Division of Surgery, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia; 8QIMR Berghoffer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia; 9School of Clinical Medicine - Mater Clinical Unit, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia; 10Centre for the Business and Economics of Health, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, AustraliaCorrespondence: Alana Delaforce Level 6, Duncombe Building, Mater Hospital Brisbane, South Brisbane, QLD, 4101, AustraliaTel +61 7 3163 2853Email alana.delaforce@mater.org.auIntroduction: Blood transfusions are a risk factor for increased morbidity, mortality, and length of hospital stay. Patient blood management guidelines provide guidance to reduce risk and improve patient outcomes. They outline steps to help prevent transfusions and considerations for when deciding to transfuse. One recommendation to prevent unnecessary transfusion is to optimize patients using Pre-operative Anemia and Iron Deficiency Screening, Evaluation and Management Pathways (PAIDSEM-P). The uptake of these recommendations is highly variable, and an effective approach to implementing them in a tailored and context-specific manner remains elusive.Method and Design: A mixed-methods, interventional study, using a type two-hybrid effectiveness-implementation design, will evaluate the impact of a change package to improve the uptake of PAIDSEM-P. The change package consists of the intervention (PAIDSEM-P) supported by theoretically informed implementation strategies. Pre- and post-implementation, retrospective health record reviews will determine the effect of the change package on provider outcomes, including compliance with guideline recommendations as measured by the proportion of patients who have the appropriate tests performed, and, if required, appropriate treatment and/or referrals. Patient outcomes will be measured by checking for any difference in the proportion of patients with anemia on the day of surgery and the proportion of patients who receive a blood transfusion during the peri-operative period. An economic evaluation will be conducted to compare health outcomes and costs. The feasibility, acceptability and appropriateness of the PAIDSEM-P will be assessed using a quantitative, validated survey to measure implementation outcomes.Discussion: Testing of implementation theory is required to advance understanding of what works, in what context, and the impact on implementation success. This study aims to evaluate the impact of a theoretically informed change package on improving the uptake of PAIDSEM-P. If successful, it will also provide a framework for health care facilities to follow when addressing other evidence-practice gaps.Keywords: patient blood management, implementation, anemia, iron deficiency, surgery

Background: Chemotherapy requires careful dosing and monitoring and is associated with numerous adverse events. There is limited data describing the impact of clinical pharmacists in the chemotherapy ambulatory setting. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of clinical pharmacy services on patient management in the adult chemotherapy infusion clinics. Methods: This was a 5-year retrospective study that utilized the pharmacy electronic documentation system to determine the type of interventions and adverse drug events (ADEs) reported by the clinical pharmacists in the chemotherapy infusion clinics. Interventions were described based on the type of intervention and medication involved. ADEs were evaluated based on the type of ADE, the suspected medication, and the required management. Results: During the study period, 3,279 interventions and 1,445 ADEs were reported. The most common interventions involved dose adjustments (51%), followed by addition (23%) or discontinuation (21%) of prescribed medications. Carboplatin (20%) and zoledronic acid (14%) were the most common medications that required pharmacist interventions. The most common types of ADEs were hematologic (22%) and infusion-related reactions (20%). Docetaxel was the most common medication associated with ADEs (20%). Among the reported ADEs, most required adding supportive care (44%), followed by adjusting chemotherapy doses (22%). Conclusion: Clinical pharmacy services at the chemotherapy infusion clinics play an important role in optimizing the chemotherapy regimens as well as identifying and managing ADEs. Future studies should be directed to measure the impact of these services on patient outcomes as well as, physicians and pharmacy operational workload and cost savings.

Active involvement of patients in planning, conducting, and disseminating research has been adopted by many organisations internationally, but the extent to which this occurs in surgical wound care is not evident. This scoping review aimed to identify how patients have been involved in surgical wound care research and the quality of its reporting. Full-text studies focused on preoperative and postoperative surgical wound care in the acute care setting, published in English between 2004 and 2019, were included in the review. Screening, data charting, and quality assessment were conducted by two reviewers independently, adjudicated by a third, and then reviewed by five others. Thematic analysis synthesised the findings. Of the eight included studies, seven explained the methods for patient involvement and five described aims related to patient involvement and commented on patient involvement in the discussion. None met all of the quality assessment criteria. Three themes emerged: involvement in modifying and refining research processes, connecting and balancing expert and patient views, and sharing personal insights. Recommendations to improve patient involvement in surgical wounds research include the following: using framework and tools to inform future research; training researcher and patients in their respective research roles; and ongoing monitoring of patient involvement.

Purpose: Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) has broad application in the treatment of prostate cancer (PC) and is associated with numerous, debilitating adverse effects. Increasing use of ADT for PC, longer timeframe for treatment (increased uptake of PSA testing and earlier diagnosis), as well as improved survival and an ageing population, means patients can live for a considerable period of time on or after ADT, experiencing these adverse effects. A number of systematic reviews of adverse effects of ADT for PC exist; however, no single systematic review has previously examined the evidence for all adverse effects, including newer forms of ADT. Methods: A systematic review of existing systematic reviews of ADT for PC was conducted (2010–February 2019), as per Cochrane guidelines, to identify the highest level of risk/incidence evidence available, supplemented by evidence drawn from individual studies where no systematic review existed. Results: Incidence data was generated for 19 adverse effect subgroups, classified according to the common terminology criteria for adverse events (CTCAE). Conclusion: Incidence of adverse effects provides valuable information for future burden of disease studies. This information can better guide clinical management to reduce symptoms for patients and assist patients to make more informed decisions about their treatment, potentially improving disease outcomes. It also highlights the importance of supportive care for PC patients receiving ADT and their carers. For analysts conducting economic evaluations, the inclusion of adverse effects in PC decision analytic models can provide more comprehensive and accurate information for decision makers.

Objective: Few economic evaluations of lung cancer rehabilitation exist. The aim of this study was to assess the cost-effectiveness of providing home-based rehabilitation for inoperable lung cancer. Methods: A cost-utility analysis alongside a randomised controlled trial (RCT) of rehabilitation compared with usual care. The primary outcome was quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) gained. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio [ICER (95% CI)] and the net monetary benefit are reported. Value of information (VOI) analysis assessed the need/value of more research. Results: Seventy participants (34 intervention and 36 usual care), average (SD) age 63.0 (12.0) years, 32 (45.7%) stage IV. The average intervention cost was AU$3421 (AU$5352 usual care), and effect (QALY) was 0.30 (0.31 usual care). The ICER was AU$228,197 (−1,173,194 to 1,101,450) per QALY gained. The net monetary benefit was AU$1508, favouring the intervention. The probability that the intervention was more cost-effective than usual care, at a willingness to pay threshold of AU$50,000, was 75%. VOI analysis showed that additional research to resolve decision uncertainty is potentially worthwhile. Conclusion: A high degree of uncertainty exists regarding the cost-effectiveness of lung cancer rehabilitation. Further RCTs, powered for economic evaluations and utilising rehabilitation sensitive outcomes, are required to support translation of evidence into clinical practice.

This study aims to describe a protocol to develop a conceptual design for a technological device based on theoretical knowledge to improve medication adherence in people with dementia. The six steps of the intervention mapping approach will be systematically applied. Step 1 will be a needs assessment using a mixed-methods approach: a survey and interviews with carers to identify determinants of medication non-adherence. Device outcomes and objectives will be set in Step 2 followed by the selection of practical theory-informed methods in Step 3. In Step 4, the structure of the conceptual design will be determined through a Delphi technique. Finally, the implementation and evaluation plans for the design will be developed in Steps 5 and 6. To improve medication adherence in this population, the design should address the condition, patients’ and caregivers’ needs and factors contributing to the problem. Involvement of end-users and a multidisciplinary team will ensure a practical and fit-for-purpose design bridging the gap between research and practice.

Objective: Qualitative studies have elucidated cancer survivors' experiences of cognitive changes associated with cancer and cancer treatment. This study specifically explored experiences of women treated for breast cancer who were seeking cognitive rehabilitation. The objective was to characterise the frequency and nature of cognitive changes and adaptations to cognitive change reported by these participants to better understand treatment needs of this group. Method: Australian women who had completed primary treatments for breast cancer (surgery, chemotherapy, and/or radiotherapy) and volunteered to participate in one of two cognitive rehabilitation intervention studies were interviewed via telephone. Interview responses regarding cognitive changes and adaptations to cognitive change were transcribed by the interviewers, then coded and analysed by two researchers using content analysis. Results: Among the 95 participants (age M=54.3 years, SD=9.6), the most commonly reported cognitive change was memory (79% of participants) and 61% reported more than one type of cognitive change. Adaptations to change were reported by 87% of participants, with written or electronic cues the most common (51%). Most often, participants reported using a single type of adaptation (48%) with only 39% reporting multiple types of adaptations. Conclusions: Women treated for breast cancer, who were seeking cognitive rehabilitation, most commonly reported memory changes, which were mainly managed through a single type of adaptation. These results suggest that there is considerable scope for increasing the range of cognitive adaptations to improve the quality of life of cancer survivors who experience adverse cognitive changes.

Prostate cancer (PCa) patients with bone metastases tend to have significant functional impairment from long-term androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), exacerbated by subsequent treatments such as second-line hormone therapies (abiraterone and enzalutamide), first- and second-line chemotherapy or immunotherapies (Hart et al., 2017). They are at significant risk of falls, fractures and consequent hospitalisation. There is a growing body of evidence to support the effectiveness of exercise in addressing the adverse effects of advanced PCa treatment (Hayes et al., 2019). Despite recommendations for men with bone metastases to participate in supervised exercise, there is often a reticence on the part of clinicians and/or patients due to concerns of fragility fracture or other adverse effects (Hart et al., 2017). These men with significant treatment toxicity and a high disease burden are an important patient group for whom exercise has been demonstrated to improve quality of life (QoL) (Galvao et al., 2018). To inform policy and improve accessibility of exercise for advanced PCa patients, it is important to determine whether such interventions represent value for money.

Objectives As medication experts, pharmacists can play a significant role in helping people living with dementia and their informal carers make the best use of medications. However, little is known about this population’s needs and expectations of their pharmacists. The objective of this study was to report informal carers’ perceptions about the role of their pharmacists. Methods In a previous study, informal carers were interviewed to explore factors influencing medication adherence in older people living with dementia. The interview transcripts from the previous study were analysed thematically using an inductive approach to explore carers’ perceptions about the role of community pharmacists in helping carers and people living with dementia use medications as prescribed. Key findings The interviews of 20 informal carers were analysed. Carers were primarily females (85%), married (60%), completed university (60%) and unemployed (70%). The majority of care recipients had comorbidities (75%), and the number of medications ranged from 1 to 20. Three significant roles emerged: (1) provision of medication information, (2) advising on medication organisation and (3) conducting medication reviews. Conclusions Informal carers face several challenges in administering the medications to older people living with dementia. Pharmacists are expected to play a more active role in helping people living with dementia, and their carers make safe and effective use of medications.

To enhance early access to novel health technologies, reimbursement decisions are increasingly made when the evidence base to support those decisions is lacking or far from mature [1, 2]. Making decisions with substantial evidence uncertainty may lead to suboptimal recommendations and costly consequences (e.g. listing a drug that is not cost effective). Intuitively, decision uncertainty can be reduced by collecting more evidence; however, the additional benefits from a new research study may not justify its costs in terms of the direct research costs (e.g. site and recruitment costs) and the opportunity costs from the benefits forgone when the adoption of a promising health technology is deferred while the additional information is being collected [3, 4].

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia, accounting for one quarter of all new cancer diagnoses for males. Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is the standard first-line therapy for metastatic PCa but is also used across much of the spectrum of disease. Unfortunately, debilitating adverse effects are a significant and largely unavoidable feature of ADT. A recent systematic review of adverse effects of ADT identified 19 sub-groups classified according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) Version 5.0. The potential for multiple simultaneous adverse effects, their associated management and the impact of adverse effects on cancer outcomes and quality of life are important considerations in the treatment and supportive care of men with PCa. Exercise is increasingly being recognized as an efficacious strategy in managing these adverse effects. A rapid review was undertaken to examine the role of exercise in the management of the most commonly reported ADT adverse effects classified according to the CTCAE sub-groups. A systematic search was conducted in Medline, PsycINFO, Google Scholar and Google for the years 2010 to September 2019 to identify the benefits of exercise in managing the adverse effects of ADT for PCa. There is strong evidence for exercise as medicine in addressing several of the adverse effects of PCa such as loss of muscle mass and strength, fatigue and declining physical function. Moderate level evidence for PCa exists for exercise-induced improvements in depression and anxiety, bone loss, and sexual dysfunction. While evidence of the effectiveness of exercise is lacking for many adverse effects of ADT for PCa, evidence in the cancer population as a whole or other clinical populations is strong, and many clinical guidelines recommend exercise as a fundamental part of their clinical management. With the exception of gynaecomastia and breast pain, there is increasing evidence (PCa, cancer or other clinical populations) to suggest that exercise has the potential to reduce and even prevent many of the adverse effects of ADT, thus improving survivorship outcomes for men with PCa. Exercise has the potential to reduce and even prevent many of the adverse effects of ADT, thus improving survivorship outcomes for men with PCa. The use of exercise for PCa management has the potential to translate into health and economic benefits in improved quality of life and fewer complications, resulting in savings to the health care system, enhanced productivity and reduced patient and carer burden. Exercise thus has the potential to improve quality of life for this population as well as generate significant cost savings.

Background Exercise for prostate cancer (PCa) survivors has been shown to be effective in addressing metabolic function and associated co-morbidities, as well as sarcopenia and significant functional impairment resulting from long-term androgen deprivation. Evidence on the cost-effectiveness of exercise interventions for PCa, however, is lacking, thus the aim of this study was to determine the cost-effectiveness of a supervised exercise intervention for long-term PCa survivors who previously received radiation therapy and androgen-deprivation therapy. Methods Cost-effectiveness analysis from an Australian healthcare-payer perspective was conducted using patient-level data from a multicentre randomised controlled trial (RCT) of supervised exercise training (resistance and aerobic) compared to receiving printed exercise material and a recommendation to exercise in long-term PCa survivors (> 5 years post-diagnosis). Analysis was undertaken for the 6-month supervised exercise portion of the intervention, which involved 100 men aged between 62 and 85 years, 50 in each arm. The primary outcome was cost per quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs). Results A 6-month supervised exercise intervention for PCa survivors resulted in an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of AU$64,235 (2018 AUD) at an incremental cost of AU$546 per person and a QALY gain of 0.0085. At a willingness-to-pay of AU$50,000, the probability that the intervention is cost-effective was 41%. Sensitivity analysis showed that maintenance of benefits via a 6-month home-based intervention, immediately following the supervised intervention, lowered the cost per QALY gained to AU$32,051. Discussion This is the first cost-effectiveness analysis of exercise for PCa survivors. The intervention was effective, but unlikely to be cost-effective at the generally accepted willingness-to-pay of AU$50,000 per QALY. It is likely that evidence to support cost savings from post-intervention outcomes would reveal greater benefits and contribute to a more comprehensive cost-effectiveness analysis. Future RCTs should incorporate longer follow-up durations and collection of data to support modelling to capture future health benefits. Measures of quality of life or utility more sensitive to the impact of physical activity would also improve future economic evaluations.

A substantial proportion of cancer patients experience heightened psychological distress that may include anxiety, depression, fear of cancer recurrence, and cancer‐specific distress.1, 2 Improving psychological outcomes of cancer patients across the continuum of care (ie, from diagnosis to survivorship) is a key aspect of oncology care, and as such there is an increasing expectation and requirement that cancer care service providers assess and address patients' psychosocial needs.3 These services vary in complexity depending on the level of psychosocial support required, care setting, and resource availability.4 There is a large body of evidence demonstrating the effectiveness of psychosocial care interventions in reducing depression and anxiety and improving quality of life of cancer patients.5-7 Nevertheless, and due to increasing health care costs, decision makers require evidence on the cost‐effectiveness (ie, value for money) of new services before they can make decisions to fund and implement them in practice. Economic evaluations are increasingly performed to generate evidence about the value for money of new health care interventions.

Objectives The aim of this study was to compare the listing success rates and time incurred to listing of recently approved lung cancer medications across Australia, Canada and England. Methods A comparison between the three countries was performed with respect to the listing status, time incurred for listing and differences in recommendations made for cost effectiveness. Major uncertainties and limitations that compromise health technology assessment (HTA) recommendations were identified. Results The listing success rate was found to be low across all three countries (33% Canada, 17% England and 8% Australia). Across the HTA agencies’ reviews, comparators were either dissimilar or altered for effectiveness and/or economic analysis. Overall, limited evidence was found for all indications, and uncertainties were identified due to indirect analyses (70%) and survival extrapolation (100%). Although most of the indications were concluded to be not cost effective, some were subsequently listed (47%) at a reduced price and/or with a specific access programme. Conclusions This study demonstrated a low listing success rate for novel lung therapies internationally within different HTA jurisdictions. Major uncertainties that are resistant to available solutions seem to be common across different countries; thus, international solutions would be beneficial

In 2010, the Australian Government introduced the managed entry scheme (MES) to improve patient access to subsidised drugs on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme and enhance the quality of evidence provided to decision makers. The aim of this paper was to critically review the Australian MES experience. We performed a comprehensive review of publicly available Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee online documents from January 2010 to July 2017. Relevant information on each MES agreement was systematically extracted, including its rationale, the conditions that guided its implementation and its policy outcomes. We identified 11 drugs where an MES was considered. Most of the identified drugs (75%) were antineoplastic agents and the main uncertainty was the overall survival benefit. More than half of the MES proposals were made by sponsors and most of the schemes were considered after previous rejected/deferred submissions for reimbursement. An MES was not established in 8 of 11 drugs (73%) despite the high evidence uncertainty. Nevertheless, six of these eight drugs were listed after the sponsors reduced their prices. Three MESs were established and implemented by Deeds of Agreement. The three cases were concluded and the required data were submitted within the agreed time frames. The need for feasibility and value of an MES should be carefully considered by stakeholders before embarking on such an agreement. It is essential to engage major stakeholders, including patient representatives, in this process. The conditions governing MESs should be clear, transparent and balanced to address the expectations of various stakeholders.

When making funding decisions, research organisations largely consider the merits (e.g. scientific rigour and feasibility) of submitted research proposals; yet, there is often little or no reference to their value for money. This may be attributed to the challenges of assessing and integrating value of research into existing research prioritisation processes. We propose a framework that considers both the merits of research and its value for money to guide health research funding decisions. A practical framework is developed based on current processes followed by funding organizations for assessing investigator-initiated research proposals, and analytical methods for evaluating the expected value of research. We apply the analytical methods to estimate the expected return on investment of two real-world grant applications. The framework comprises four sequential steps: (1) initial screening of applications for eligibility and completeness; (2) merit assessment of eligible proposals; (3) estimating the expected value of research for the shortlisted proposals that pass the first two steps and ranking of proposals based on return on investment; and (4) selecting research proposals for funding. We demonstrate how the expected value for money can be efficiently estimated using certain information provided in funding applications. The proposed framework integrates value-for-money assessment into the existing research prioritisation processes. Considering value for money to inform research funding decisions is vital to achieve efficient utilisation of research budgets and maximise returns on research investments.

Purpose: To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) to diagnose prostate cancer and direct all low-risk patients into active surveillance (AS). Materials and Methods: A Markov cohort model was developed to assess three scenarios: 1) no mpMRI and current AS; 2) mpMRI and current AS; and 3) mpMRI and increased AS. Men were tracked from diagnosis to end-of-life. Estimates to populate the model were derived from systematic reviews, meta-analyses, epidemiological publications, and national cost reports. An Australian Government perspective was used. Outcomes included healthcare costs, survival, quality-adjusted life years (QALYs), number of biopsies, and significant and insignificant cancers. Extensive sensitivity analyses were undertaken to address possible variation in the modeled inputs. Results: Mean lifetime costs per patient were AU$23,191 for Scenario 1, AU$23,387 for Scenario 2 and AU$21,064 for Scenario 3. Corresponding QALYs were 7.81, 7.77, 7.83 for Scenarios 1, 2, and 3, respectively. At the current uptake of AS in Australia, mpMRI alone does not appear cost-effective (16.9% likelihood). However, mpMRI with AS for all men with low-risk disease is strongly cost-effective (86.9% likelihood) at a willingness-to-pay AU$50,000 per QALY gained. For the mpMRI options, for every 1000 men suspected of prostate cancer, using mpMRI would avoid 340 biopsies, detect an additional 20 significant cancers, and detect 10 fewer insignificant cancers. Conclusion: Diagnosis of prostate cancer through mpMRI technology would be cost-effective if it leads to increased uptake of AS for men with confirmed very-low- or low-risk prostate cancer. Level of Evidence: 2. J. MAGN. RESON. IMAGING 2017;45:1304–1315.

Objective: To describe the development, implementation, and outcomes of a structured research training program that aimed to increase the research productivity among hospital pharmacists. Methods: The program was conducted in a step-wise approach and started with educational sessions on evidence-based medicine and research methods. After about a year, pharmacists were trained and mentored on how to conduct and publish a research project. We evaluated the number of research projects and publications for the pharmacy department before and after the implementation of the program. Results: In the 5 years prior to implementing the program, there were a total of 4 institutional review board (IRB) proposals, 4 abstracts, and 2 manuscripts, which had pharmacists as primary investigators. After 5 years of running the program, there were 24 pharmacist-initiated research proposals submitted to the IRB, 29 abstracts, and 11 published manuscripts. The major challenges were the lack of sufficient time and the extensive training and mentorship required. Conclusion: Implementing a structured pharmacy research program at a hospital setting was feasible and was associated with an increase in the pharmacist-led research and publications. The success of such a program requires training and mentorship, strong commitment, and administrative support.

What is known and objective: Quetiapine is a second-generation antipsychotic that is commonly prescribed for a range of approved and off-label indications in older adults. However, little is known about its safety in this population. The available evidence on quetiapine safety is based on studies on second-generation antipsychotics as a group, often in the general population and for approved indications. There are no systematic reviews on the safety of quetiapine in older adults, and therefore, there is a need for systematically assessing quetiapine safety in this group of patients to establish an appropriate safety profile for this vulnerable population. The aim of this paper was to review and describe adverse drug events associated with quetiapine use in older adults.Methods: A systematic literature search was performed based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Databases searched were CINAHL, PubMed, Medline, PsycInfo and the Cochrane Library.Results and discussion: Sixty-nine papers met the inclusion criteria. The majority of the studies (n=36, 52%) were observational, and 11 (16%) were randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Most of the reported indications (75%) were off-label. The most commonly reported adverse events were somnolence (25-39%), dizziness (15-27%), headache (10-23%), postural hypotension (6-18%) and weight gain (11-30%). From the included RCTs, comparing quetiapine with placebo, quetiapine resulted in significantly greater cognitive impairment, higher rates of falls and injury and increased mortality in patients with parkinsonism, but not in patients with dementia. Compared with risperidone and olanzapine, quetiapine had significantly lower risk of mortality, reduced rate of cerebrovascular events, increased rate of falls and injury and less metabolic disorders compared with olanzapine, but higher metabolic disorders compared with risperidone.What is new and conclusion: This work provides full characterization of quetiapine safety in older people, which may help healthcare providers better anticipate, prevent and manage ADEs in this population.

Summary Background Two billion peripheral intravenous catheters (PIVCs) are used globally each year, but optimal dressing and securement methods are not well established. We aimed to compare the efficacy and costs of three alternative approaches to standard non-bordered polyurethane dressings. Methods We did a pragmatic, randomised controlled, parallel-group superiority trial at two hospitals in Queensland, Australia. Eligible patients were aged 18 years or older and required PIVC insertion for clinical treatment, which was expected to be required for longer than 24 h. Patients were randomly assigned (1:1:1:1) via a centralised web-based randomisation service using random block sizes, stratified by hospital, to receive tissue adhesive with polyurethane dressing, bordered polyurethane dressing, a securement device with polyurethane dressing, or polyurethane dressing (control). Randomisation was concealed before allocation. Patients, clinicians, and research staff were not masked because of the nature of the intervention, but infections were adjudicated by a physician who was masked to treatment allocation. The primary outcome was all-cause PIVC failure (as a composite of complete dislodgement, occlusion, phlebitis, and infection [primary bloodstream infection or local infection]). Analysis was by modified intention to treat. This trial is registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry, number ACTRN12611000769987. Findings Between March 18, 2013, and Sept 9, 2014, we randomly assigned 1807 patients to receive tissue adhesive with polyurethane (n=446), bordered polyurethane (n=454), securement device with polyurethane (n=453), or polyurethane (n=454); 1697 patients comprised the modified intention-to-treat population. 163 (38%) of 427 patients in the tissue adhesive with polyurethane group (absolute risk difference −4·5% [95% CI −11·1 to 2·1%], p=0·19), 169 (40%) of 423 of patients in the bordered polyurethane group (–2·7% [–9·3 to 3·9%] p=0·44), 176 (41%) of 425 patients in the securement device with poplyurethane group (–1·2% [–7·9% to 5·4%], p=0·73), and 180 (43%) of 422 patients in the polyurethane group had PIVC failure. 17 patients in the tissue adhesive with polyurethane group, two patients in the bordered polyurethane group, eight patients in the securement device with polyurethane group, and seven patients in the polyurethane group had skin adverse events. Total costs of the trial interventions did not differ significantly between groups. Interpretation Current dressing and securement methods are commonly associated with PIVC failure and poor durability, with simultaneous use of multiple products commonly required. Cost is currently the main factor that determines product choice. Innovations to achieve effective, durable dressings and securements, and randomised controlled trials assessing their effectiveness are urgently needed. Funding Australian National Health and Medical Research Council.

PurposeTo evaluate the cost-effectiveness of BRCA testing in women with breast cancer, and cascade testing in family members of BRCA mutation carriers.MethodsA cost-effectiveness analysis was conducted using a cohort Markov model from a health-payer perspective. The model estimated the long-term benefits and costs of testing women with breast cancer who had at least a 10% pretest BRCA mutation probability, and the cascade testing of first- and second-degree relatives of women who test positive.ResultsCompared with no testing, BRCA testing of affected women resulted in an incremental cost per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) gained of AU$18,900 (incremental cost AU$1,880; incremental QALY gain 0.10) with reductions of 0.04 breast and 0.01 ovarian cancer events. Testing affected women and cascade testing of family members resulted in an incremental cost per QALY gained of AU$9,500 compared with testing affected women only (incremental cost AU$665; incremental QALY gain 0.07) with additional reductions of 0.06 breast and 0.01 ovarian cancer events.ConclusionBRCA testing in women with breast cancer is cost-effective and is associated with reduced risk of cancer and improved survival. Extending testing to cover family members of affected women who test positive improves cost-effectiveness beyond restricting testing to affected women only.GENETICS in MEDICINE advance online publication, 4 January 2018; doi:10.1038/gim.2017.231.

Older people with dementia often depend on caregivers to manage their medications. The complexity of medication regimens in this population can impede medication adherence (i.e., taking medications as prescribed), which may compromise the effectiveness of treatment and increase the cost and burden of illness. Different technological devices have been used to improve medication adherence, however, these devices are often not evidence-based or designed with end-user involvement, thereby affecting their acceptability by people living with dementia and their caregivers. This in turn, can influence the effectiveness and uptake of such devices. This study aims to explore the challenges of medication adherence for both older people with dementia and their caregivers to guide the development of future technological solutions that can be effective, practical and sustainable.

Objective The aim of this study was to quantify the utilisation of vascular access devices in Queensland public hospitals and their associated cost. Methods Devices were broadly classified into peripheral intravenous catheters, central venous catheters and arterial lines. The number of catheters used was obtained from a central procurement department at Queensland Health and validated using Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) claims and/or hospital data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare for the same period. Resources consumed included equipment and staff time required to insert and remove catheters. Equipment costs were valued using negotiated hospital prices, and staff time was valued at the fixed industrial award wages in Australia or relevant MBS fees. Device maintenance costs (e.g. dressings) and costs of treating complications were excluded. Results Approximately 2.75 million vascular access devices were used in public hospitals in Queensland in 2016, at a total cost of A$59.14 million. This comprised a total equipment cost of around A$10.17 million and a total labour cost of A$48.85 million Conclusion Vascular access is an important component of healthcare expenditure. The present study is the first to characterise and cost vascular access devices in Queensland. Further research is needed on the costs of maintaining device function and of treating complications associated with vascular access. What is known about the topic? The cost of vascular access in Australia has previously been estimated from modelling, using various assumptions, or based on device utilisation in other countries. What does this paper add? For the first time, device utilisation for vascular access in Queensland has been quantified and costed. Results were obtained from reliable sources and validated against other databases. What are the implications for practitioners? Practitioners and managers may now provide accurate estimates about the cost of catheter failure, a potentially preventable problem that affects up to 50% of all catheters placed. Attaching costs to such failure may also stimulate research into how to reduce the problem.

Background: Older patients with dementia are often unable to take their medications as prescribed due to cognitive and physical impairment. Objectives: To review the evidence on medication adherence in older patients with dementia in terms of the level of adherence, outcomes, contributing factors, and available interventions. Methods: A systematic literature review was performed following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Searched databases included CINAHL, Cochrane Library, DARE, MEDLINE, and PubMed. Results: Eighteen studies reported levels of medication adherence or discontinuation and related factors. Medication adherence ranged from 17% to 42%, and medication discontinuation before the end of treatment ranged from 37% to 80%. Nonadherence was associated with an increased risk of hospitalization or death, while increasing age, choice of medication, use of concomitant medications, and medicines’ costs were reported to decrease medication adherence. Telehealth home monitoring and treatment modification were the only interventions reported in the literature to improve medication adherence in this population. Conclusion: Older patients with dementia have a low level of medication adherence. Future research should focus on the development and implementation of interventions to help older patients with dementia and their caregivers make better use of medications.

Jordan is an Arab country located in the north of the Arabian Peninsula, west of Asia.1 It occupies an area of about 92 000 km2, with an estimated total population of about 9.5 million, most of whom reside in the capital, Amman. Jordan is renowned for its high-quality health care services and is considered one of the major destinations for medical tourism in the Middle East and North Africa region. This paper aims to describe current health care and pharmacy practice in Jordan. It is part of a series of invited papers on health care systems in countries around the world. The paper is structured according to the building blocks outlined in the World Health Organization’s Health Systems Framework.

Background: Value of information analysis has been proposed as an alternative to the standard hypothesis testing approach, which is based on type I and type II errors, in determining sample sizes for randomized clinical trials. However, in addition to sample size calculation, value of information analysis can optimize other aspects of research design such as possible comparator arms and alternative follow-up times, by considering trial designs that maximize the expected net benefit of research, which is the difference between the expected cost of the trial and the expected value of additional information. Purpose: To apply value of information methods to the results of a pilot study on catheter securement devices to determine the optimal design of a future larger clinical trial. Methods: An economic evaluation was performed using data from a multi-arm randomized controlled pilot study comparing the efficacy of four types of catheter securement devices: standard polyurethane, tissue adhesive, bordered polyurethane and sutureless securement device. Probabilistic Monte Carlo simulation was used to characterize uncertainty surrounding the study results and to calculate the expected value of additional information. To guide the optimal future trial design, the expected costs and benefits of the alternative trial designs were estimated and compared. Results: Analysis of the value of further information indicated that a randomized controlled trial on catheter securement devices is potentially worthwhile. Among the possible designs for the future trial, a four-arm study with 220 patients/arm would provide the highest expected net benefit corresponding to 130% return-on-investment. The initially considered design of 388 patients/arm, based on hypothesis testing calculations, would provide lower net benefit with return-on-investment of 79%. Limitations: Cost-effectiveness and value of information analyses were based on the data from a single pilot trial which might affect the accuracy of our uncertainty estimation. Another limitation was that different follow-up durations for the larger trial were not evaluated. Conclusion: The value of information approach allows efficient trial design by maximizing the expected net benefit of additional research. This approach should be considered early in the design of randomized clinical trials.

Objectives: Olaparib can improve progression-free survival compared with chemotherapy in patients with a BRCA mutation and HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer (MBC); however, this drug comes at a high price (AU$6,900/pack). This study aims to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of olaparib in this population, and to use value of information (VOI) analysis to inform a potential risk-sharing agreement.

ObjectivesHealthcare budgets are limited, and therefore, research funds should be wisely allocated to ensure high-quality, useful and cost-effective research. We aimed to critically review the criteria considered by major Australian organisations in prioritising and selecting health research projects for funding.MethodsWe reviewed all grant schemes listed on the Australian Competitive Grants Register that were health-related, active in 2017 and with publicly available selection criteria on the funders’ websites. Data extracted included scheme name, funding organisation, selection criteria and the relative weight assigned to each criterion. Selection criteria were grouped into five representative domains: relevance, appropriateness, significance, feasibility (including team quality) and cost-effectiveness (ie, value for money).ResultsThirty-six schemes were included from 158 identified. One-half of the schemes were under the National Health and Medical Research Council. The most commonly used criteria were research team quality and capability (94%), research plan clarity (94%), scientific quality (92%) and research impact (92%). Criteria considered less commonly were existing knowledge (22%), fostering collaboration (22%), research environment (19%), value for money (14%), disease burden (8%) and ethical/moral considerations (3%). In terms of representative domains, relevance was considered in 72% of the schemes, appropriateness in 92%, significance in 94%, feasibility in 100% and cost-effectiveness in 17%. The relative weights for the selection criteria varied across schemes with 5%–30% for relevance, 20%–60% for each appropriateness and significance, 20%–75% for feasibility and 15%–33% for cost-effectiveness.ConclusionsIn selecting research projects for funding, Australian research organisations focus largely on research appropriateness, significance and feasibility; however, value for money is most often overlooked. Research funding decisions should include an assessment of value for money in order to maximise return on research investment.

Purpose To estimate the health system costs of prostate cancer by disease risk category and treatment type over 2016 to 2025 and to identify potential strategies to contain the cost increase. Methods A Markov cohort model was developed using clinical pathways from US prostate cancer guidelines and clinical expertise. Estimates of the probabilities of various treatments and outcomes and their unit costs were sourced from systematic reviews, meta-analyses, epidemiological publications and national cost reports. Estimated costs by stage of disease, by major treatments and by age at diagnosis were reported in 2016 US dollars. One-way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses assessed potential variation in the modeled costs. Results Australia-wide costs of prostate cancer were estimated at US$270.9 million in 2016 rising to US$384.3 million in 2025, an expected increase of 42%. Of this total increase, newly diagnosed low risk cases will contribute US$32.9 million, intermediate-risk US$56.8 million, high-risk US$53.3 million and advanced US$12.6 million. For men diagnosed at age 65 with low-risk disease, lifetime costs per patient were US$14,497 for surgery, US$19,665 for radiation therapies to the primary lesion, and US$9,234 for active surveillance. For intermediate- or high-risk disease, mean costs per patient were US$34,941 for surgery plus radiation and US$31,790 for androgen deprivation therapy plus radiation while advanced cancer therapies were at US$31,574 per patient. Additional costs for managing iatrogenic disease secondary to these treatments were excluded. Conclusion Strategies for identifying patients early before cancers have spread are critical to contain the estimated 42% increase in costs over the next decade. Increased uptake of active surveillance would also lead to substantial cost-savings in the management of low-risk prostate cancer.

Background: Value of information (VOI) analysis quantifies the value of additional research in reducing decision uncertainty. It addresses adoption and research decisions simultaneously by comparing the expected benefits and costs of research studies. Nevertheless, the application of this approach in practice remains limited. Objectives: To apply VOI analysis in health care interventions to guide adoption decisions, optimize trial design, and prioritize research. Methods: The analysis was from the perspective of Queensland Health, Australia. It included four interventions: clinically indicated catheter replacement, tissue adhesive for securing catheters, negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) in caesarean sections, and nutritional support for preventing pressure ulcers. For each intervention, cost-effectiveness analysis was performed, decision uncertainty characterized, and VOI calculated using Monte Carlo simulations. The benefits and costs of additional research were considered together with the costs and consequences of acting now versus waiting for more information. All values are reported in 2014 Australian dollars (AU$). Results: All interventions were cost-effective, but with various levels of decision uncertainty. The current evidence is sufficient to support the adoption of clinically indicated catheter replacement. For the tissue adhesive, an additional study before adoption is worthwhile with a four-arm trial of 220 patients per arm. Additional research on NPWT before adoption is worthwhile with a two-arm trial of 200 patients per arm. Nutritional support should be adopted with a two-arm trial of 1200 patients per arm. Based on the expected net monetary benefits, the studies were ranked as follows: 1) NPWT (AU$1.2 million), 2) tissue adhesive (AU$0.3 milliion), and 3) nutritional support (AU$0.1 million). Conclusions: VOI analysis is a useful and practical approach to inform adoption and research decisions. Efforts should be focused on facilitating its integration into decision making frameworks.

In its 2014–2015 budget, the Australian Government announced the establishment of the $20 billion Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF).1 The MRFF aims to support health and medical research in Australia to drive innovation, improve delivery of health care, enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the health system, and contribute to economic growth.1 In April 2016, the government announced the creation of the Australian Medical Research Advisory Board to determine the medical research strategy and priorities to guide the funding allocated through the MRFF. Although its mission is clear, the board faces the challenging task of identifying research priorities and allocating the available budget across topics and programs competing for funding. The criteria for identifying research priorities to guide the government decision making on program level funding, as set out in the MRFF legislation, focus on the ability of research programs to deliver the greatest value for as many Australians as possible.1 However, there is little mention of how the value of research programs would be objectively, transparently and practically assessed to inform research prioritisation and ensure efficient use of the MRFF budget.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of nutritional support compared with standard care in preventing pressure ulcers (PrUs) in high-risk hospitalized patients. DESIGN: An economic model using data from a systematic literature review. A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials on the efficacy of nutritional support in reducing the incidence of PrUs was conducted. PATIENTS: Modeled cohort of hospitalized patients at high risk of developing PrUs and malnutrition simulated during their hospital stay and up to 1 year. INTERVENTIONS: Standard care included PrU prevention strategies, such as redistribution surfaces, repositioning, and skin protection strategies, along with standard hospital diet. In addition to the standard care, the intervention group received nutritional support comprising patient education, nutrition goal setting, and the consumption of high-protein supplements. MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES: The analysis was from a healthcare payer perspective. Key outcomes of the model included the average costs and quality-adjusted life years. Model results were tested in univariate sensitivity analyses, and decision uncertainty was characterized using a probabilistic sensitivity analysis. MAIN RESULTS: Compared with standard care, nutritional support was cost saving at AU $425 per patient and marginally more effective with an average 0.005 quality-adjusted life years gained. The probability of nutritional support being cost-effective was 87%. CONCLUSIONS: Nutritional support to prevent PrUs in high-risk hospitalized patients is cost-effective with substantial cost savings predicted. Hospitals should implement the recommendations from the current PrU practice guidelines and offer nutritional support to high-risk patients.

Objectives: Governments and research organisations allocate considerable resources to fund medical research; however, research budgets are limited and decisions have to be made about the best way to prioritise research projects competing for funding. This is often done by assessing submitted proposals against predefined criteria. We aimed to review the criteria considered by major Australian funding organisations to select research projects for funding. Methods: We reviewed all grant schemes listed on the Australian Competitive Grants Register. Schemes included were health related, active in 2017 and with publicly available selection criteria on the funders’ websites. Fellowship, scholarship and training schemes were excluded. Data extracted included scheme name, funding organisation, selection criteria and the relative weight assigned to each criterion. Selection criteria were grouped, based on a modified Essential National Health Research approach, into five categories: relevance, appropriateness, significance, feasibility and value for money (i.e., research benefits compared to research costs). Results: Thirty-eight schemes were included from 158 identified. Almost one half of the schemes (47%) were under the National Health and Medical Research Council. All schemes considered feasibility criteria (research environment, team quality and/or research plan), 95% considered significance (innovation, implementation, translation and/or impact), 92% considered appropriateness (ethics, proposal’s quality and/or scientific rigour), 63% considered relevance (disease burden, national/organisational goals, equity and/or knowledge gap), and only 21% considered value for money. When reported, the relative weights for the selection criteria varied across schemes with 20-75% for feasibility, 20-60% for each significance and appropriateness, 5-30% for relevance and 15-33% for value for money. Conclusions: In selecting research projects for funding, research organisations in Australia focus mainly on research quality, significance and feasibility; nevertheless, value for money is often overlooked. Research funding decisions should be guided, along other considerations, by value for money of competing research proposals to maximise return on research investment.

Purpose. To describe the successful use of glucar- pidase (carboxypeptidase G2) in the treatment of high-dose methotrexate-induced nephrotoxicity in a patient with osteosarcoma. Summary. A 12-year-old female patient who had been diagnosed with low-grade right mandibular osteosarcoma was started on a protocol of cisplatin plus doxorubicin alternating with high-dose metho- trexate. Following her first dose of methotrexte, she developed acute renal failure and higher than expected 24h methotrexate level of 478μM/L. High-dose leucovorin rescue was started with vigorous hydra- tion and urine alkalinization together with two sessions of hemodialysis. Because her methotrexate level was persistently high, the investigational drug glucarpidase was administered. Methotrexate leveldropped from 65 to 16.3 μM/L after a single dose of glucarpidase measured by fluorescence polarization immunoassay. Leucovorin and urine alkalinization were continued until day 17 when the patient’s kidney function normalized and methotrexate level reached 0.05 μM/L. The patient tolerated glucarpidase well without any significant adverse events. Conclusion. Glucarpidase is a safe and effective agent in the management of high-dose methotrexate-induced nephrotoxicity and delayed methotrexate elimination. J Oncol Pharm Practice (2011) 17: 136—140.

Objectives. To conduct a drug utilization review (DUR) on the use of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) and to study the effectiveness of this agent in preventing the incidence of febrile neutropenia (FN). Methods. Outpatients to whom G-CSF was dispensed were identified and their actual medical records were reviewed to verify patients who received G-CSF for primary prophylaxis. Literature was reviewed to determine the expected incidence and risk of FN for chemotherapy regimens used, and the compliance of prescribers with the institutional guidelines was evaluated. After that, the proportion of patients who developed FN was identified and compared to the expected incidence from literature. Data analysis was performed on the outcome of patient-cycle. Results. Of the 99 patient-cycles, 53 (53%) were compliant with guidelines whereas 46 (47%) were not. FN developed in 12 (12.1%, 95% CI = 5.7, 18.5) while the expected average incidence of FN was 32.7%. Eleven (21%, 95% CI = 10.1, 32.2) of the 53 patient-cycles that were compliant with guidelines developed FN, whereas one patient among the non-compliant group developed FN (2%, 95% CI = 0.0, 6.2). The expected incidence of FN was 42.9 and 21.5%, in the compliant group, and noncompliant group, respectively. Based on expected FN rates, the respective reduction in the incidence of FN was 51, and 90%. Conclusions. Lack of adherence to institutional guidelines was noticed in G-CSF prescribing. Reasons behind poor compliance with the guidelines must be verified and resolved. Prophylactic G-CSF is effective in reducing the incidence of FN; however, further research in a larger population is warranted to confirm these findings. J Oncol Pharm Practice (2008) 14: 131—138.

Pressure ulcers are a major cause of mortality, morbidity, and increased healthcare cost. Nutritional support may reduce the incidence of pressure ulcers in hospitalised patients who are at risk of pressure ulcer and malnutrition. To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of nutritional support in preventing pressure ulcers in high-risk hospitalised patients, and to assess the value of further research to inform the decision to implement this intervention using value of information analysis (VOI). The analysis was from the perspective of Queensland Health, Australia using a decision model with evidence derived from a systematic review and meta-analysis. Resources were valued using 2014 prices and the time horizon of the analysis was one year. Monte Carlo simulation was used to estimate net monetary benefits (NB) and to calculate VOI measures. Compared with standard hospital diet, nutritional support was cost saving at AU$425 per patient, and more effective with an average 0.005 quality-adjusted life years (QALY) gained. At a willingness-to-pay of AU$50,000 per QALY, the incremental NB was AU$675 per patient, with a probability of 87 % that nutritional support is cost-effective. The expected value of perfect information was AU$5 million and the expected value of perfect parameter information was highest for the relative risk of developing a pressure ulcer at AU$2.5 million. For a future trial investigating the relative effectiveness of the interventions, the expected net benefit of research would be maximised at AU$100,000 with 1,200 patients in each arm if nutritional support was perfectly implemented. The opportunity cost of withholding the decision to implement the intervention until the results of the future study are available would be AU$14 million. Nutritional support is cost-effective in preventing pressure ulcers in high-risk hospitalised patients compared with standard diet. Future research to reduce decision uncertainty is worthwhile; however, given the opportunity losses associated with delaying the implementation, “implement and research” is the approach recommended for this intervention.

Background Obese women undergoing cesarean section are at increased risk of postoperative infection. There is growing interest in negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) to prevent closed surgical incision complications including surgical site infection; however, the evidence on the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of this technology is limited. The objective of this study was to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of NPWT compared with that of standard dressing in preventing surgical site infection in obese women undergoing elective cesarean section based on current evidence and to estimate the value and optimal design of additional research to study this technology. Methods The analysis was from the perspective of Queensland Health, Australia, using a decision model. Parameters were obtained from the published literature, a pilot clinical trial, and expert opinion. Monte Carlo simulation was performed to calculate the net monetary benefit, characterize decision uncertainty, and estimate the value of additional research. Comparing the expected monetary benefits and costs of alternative trial sample sizes informed the optimal future study design. Results The incremental net monetary benefit of NPWT was Australian dollars 70, indicating that NPWT is cost-effective compared with that of standard dressing. The probability of NPWT being cost-effective was 65%. The estimated value of additional research to resolve decision uncertainty would be Australian dollars 2.7 million. The optimal sample size of a future trial investigating the relative effectiveness of NPWT would be 200 patients per arm. Conclusions Based on the current evidence, NPWT is cost-effective; however, there is high uncertainty surrounding the decision to adopt this technology. Additional research is worthwhile before implementation.

Background Peripheral arterial catheters are widely used in the care of intensive care patients for continuous blood pressure monitoring and blood sampling, yet failure – from dislodgement, accidental removal, and complications of phlebitis, pain, occlusion and infection – is common. While appropriate methods of dressing and securement are required to reduce these complications that cause failure, few studies have been conducted in this area. Objectives To determine initial effectiveness of one dressing and two securement methods versus usual care, in minimising failure in peripheral arterial catheters. Feasibility objectives were considered successful if 90/120 patients (75%) received the study intervention and protocol correctly, and had ease and satisfaction scores for the study dressing and securement devices of ≥7 on Numerical Rating Scale scores 1–10. Methods In this single-site, four-arm, parallel, pilot randomised controlled trial, patients with arterial catheters, inserted in the operating theatre and admitted to the intensive care unit postoperatively, were randomly assigned to either one of the three treatment groups (bordered polyurethane dressing ( n =30); a sutureless securement device ( n =31); tissue adhesive ( n =32)), or a control group (usual practice polyurethane dressing (not bordered) ( n =30)). Results One hundred and twenty-three patients completed the trial. The primary outcome of catheter failure was 2/32 (6.3%) for tissue adhesive, 4/30 (13.3%) for bordered polyurethane, 5/31 (16.1%) for the sutureless securement device, and 6/30 (20%) for the control usual care polyurethane. Feasibility criteria were fulfilled. Cost analysis suggested that tissue adhesive was the most cost effective. Conclusions The pilot trial showed that the novel technologies were at least as effective as the present method of a polyurethane dressing for dressing and securement of arterial catheters, and may be cost effective. The trial also provided evidence that a larger, multicentre trial would be feasible.

Economic evaluations are increasingly utilized to inform decisions in healthcare; however, decisions remain uncertain when they are not based on adequate evidence. Value of information (VOI) analysis has been proposed as a systematic approach to measure decision uncertainty and assess whether there is sufficient evidence to support new technologies.The objective of this paper is to review the principles and applications of VOI analysis in healthcare. Relevant databases were systematically searched to identify VOI articles. The findings from the selected articles were summarized and narratively presented.Various VOI methods have been developed and applied to inform decision-making, optimally designing research studies and setting research priorities. However, the application of this approach in healthcare remains limited due to technical and policy challenges.There is a need to create more awareness about VOI analysis, simplify its current methods, and align them with the needs of decision-making organizations.

Millions of peripheral intravenous catheters are used worldwide. The current guidelines recommend routine catheter replacement every 72–96 h. This practice requires increasing healthcare resource use. The clinically indicated catheter replacement strategy is proposed as an alternative. To assess the cost effectiveness of clinically indicated versus routine replacement of peripheral intravenous catheters. A cost-effectiveness analysis from the perspective of Queensland Health, Australia, was conducted alongside a randomized controlled trial. Adult patients with an intravenous catheter of expected use for longer than 4 days were randomly assigned to receive either clinically indicated replacement or third-day routine replacement. The primary outcome was phlebitis during catheterization or within 48 h after catheter removal. Resource use data were prospectively collected and valued (2010 prices). The incremental net monetary benefit was calculated with uncertainty characterized using bootstrap simulations. Additionally, value of information (VOI) and value of implementation analyses were performed. The clinically indicated replacement strategy was associated with a cost saving per patient of AU$7.60 (95 % confidence interval [CI] 4.96–10.62) and a non-significant difference in the phlebitis rate of 0.41 % (95 % CI −1.33 to 2.15). The incremental net monetary benefit was AU$7.60 (95 % CI 4.96–10.62). The expected VOI was zero, whereas the expected value of perfect implementation of the clinically indicated replacement strategy was approximately AU$5 million over 5 years. The clinically indicated catheter replacement strategy is cost saving compared with routine replacement. It is recommended that healthcare organizations consider changing to a policy whereby catheters are changed only if clinically indicated.

High-dose chemotherapy followed by autologous hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation is an important treatment option for a variety of malignancies. Peripheral blood stem cells (PBSCs) have replaced bone marrow-derived cells as source of stem cells in transplants, and the success of a transplant depends highly on the number of PBSCs mobilized, collected and eventually infused. Nevertheless, a good percentage of patients fail to mobilize stem cells when growth factors alone or in combination with chemotherapy are used. Recently, plerixafor has been approved as a novel agent to mobilize stem cells in multiple myeloma and lymphoma patients. Data on the efficacy and safety of plerixafor in solid tumors is lacking. We report the successful stem cell mobilization and transplantation for a patient with a germ cell tumor using plerixafor.

Value of information (VOI) analysis is a novel systematic approach for assessing whether there is sufficient evidence to support regulatory approval of new technologies, estimating the value of additional research, informing trial design, and setting research priorities. This article reviews the use of VOI methods in oncology and identifies the potential applications of VOI in this field.A systematic literature search was undertaken to identify studies explicitly reporting VOI analyses for interventions directed at cancer management. Articles published from 2000 onward addressing prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, or symptom management in oncology were selected.A total of 35 articles were included in the review; most were published after 2006. The main cancers addressed were breast (n = 10; 29%), prostate (n = 5; 14%), lung (n = 5; 14%), and colorectal (n = 3; 9%). The VOI analyses were of an applied nature in 31 studies (89%). In the applied studies, VOI was used to characterize decision uncertainty in all studies and to inform future research focus in 16 (52%). Additionally, one article (3%) addressed the value of optimal trial design, and one article (3%) reported the use of VOI methods to prioritize research.The application of VOI analysis in oncology is growing but remains limited. Benefits in oncology research and practice will potentially be optimized with an increase in the application of VOI methods to inform decision making, optimal trial design, and research prioritization in this field.

Introduction Plerixafor is a novel mobilizing agent of peripheral blood stem cells (PBSCs) in lymphoma and multiple myeloma (MM) patients whose cells mobilize poorly. Due to the substantial cost associated with its use, we aimed to compare the effectiveness and cost effectiveness of Plerixafor + GCSF (PG) versus GCSF ± Chemotherapy (GC) as salvage mobilization regimens. Methods The charts of consecutive lymphoma and MM patients who had undergone at least one previous attempt of PBSCs mobilization that failed or resulted in an insufficient cell dose for transplant between 2007 and 2010 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients identified received salvage mobilization with GC (prior to 2009) or PG after Plerixafor’s FDA approval. Data collected included demographics, medical histories, apheresis yields and transplant outcome. The cost effectiveness analysis was from the perspective of the Jordanian Ministry of Health. The incremental cost effectiveness ratio (ICER) was calculated by dividing the difference in cost by the difference in effectiveness for the two regimens. Results Five patients received GC and twelve received PG. A minimum CD34+ cell dose of 2 × 106 cells/kg was collected from 8 patients (67%) in the PG group compared to 3 (60%) in the GC group ( p=0.79). The average costs were US$8570 and US$25,700 for the GC group and the PG group, respectively. The ICER was US$244,714 per successful stem cell collection. Conclusion Salvage Plerixafor use showed a non-significant improvement in PBSCs collection with a significant increase in cost. Prospective comparative effectiveness studies are warranted to inform the optimal salvage mobilization regimen. To our knowledge, this is the first study from the Middle East to describe the effectiveness and cost effectiveness of Plerixafor.

Supporting patients to have healthy dietary behaviours contributes significantly to preventing and managing lifestyle-related chronic diseases. ‘Nutrition care’ refers to any practice provided by a health professional to support a patient to improve their dietary behaviours and subsequent health outcomes. Approximately 3% of consultations by Australian general practitioners (GPs) involve the provision of nutrition care. The aim of the present paper was to forecast the potential implications of a higher frequency of nutrition care by GPs. Evidence on the effect of improved dietary behaviours on chronic disease outcomes, number of Australian adults estimated to have poor dietary behaviours and effectiveness of GPs providing nutrition care were taken into consideration. Using hypertension as a case example, for GPs to provide nutrition care to all hypertensive adults who would benefit from improved dietary behaviours, GPs would need to provide nutrition care in a target rate of 4.85% of consultations or 4.5 million different patients each year. The target aligns with the existing priorities for supporting chronic-disease prevention and management in Australia by increasing the rate that brief lifestyle interventions are provided by primary health professionals. This conservative target presents a considerable challenge for GPs, support staff, researchers and policy makers, but can be used to inform future interventions to support nutrition care by GPs.

High-dose methotrexate (HDMTX) is widely and safely used in oncology, with adequate measures including vigorous hydration, urine alkalinization and leucovorin rescue. Despite these precautions, some patients still develop HDMTX-induced nephrotoxicity, which leads to delayed methotrexate (MTX) clearance and sustained elevated plasma MTX levels, which can significantly increase MTX toxicity. Glucarpidase (carboxypeptidase G2, Voraxase®) is a recombinant bacterial enzyme that rapidly hydrolyzes MTX to inactive metabolites, providing an alternate non-renal pathway for MTX elimination in patients with renal dysfunction during HDMTX treatment. Glucarpidase has recently been approved for the treatment of toxic plasma MTX concentrations in patients with delayed MTX clearance due to impaired renal function. Preclinical and clinical studies demonstrated good safety and efficacy in rapidly reducing elevated MTX levels. Further comparative studies are awaited to confirm the benefit of glucarpidase in terms of toxicity and survival.