Technology
Assessment
The HOPE Center
conducts diagnostic performance studies to determine the sensitivity,
specificity and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves of
emerging technologies. Intra and interobserver variability of new
diagnostic and therapeutic test are also evaluated.
Decision
Analysis Studies
Decision Analysis
studies are those structured to assess a specific clinical question
or problem over time, by creating a decision tree that illustrates
sequential choice points for action and for information gathering,
and when specific outcomes occur. The flow of the decision tree
information is based on the available literature. Decision Analysis
studies determine the best choice of diagnostic tests or treatments
for specific diseases.
Error
Prevention and Quality Improvement System
Medical error
is one of the seven leading causes of death in the United States
of America. The HOPE Center emphasizes the use of computerized simulators
and education as important tools in the prevention of medical error
and the improvement of our patient's quality of care.
Cost-Effectiveness
Analysis
Cost-effectiveness
analysis (CEA) provides information so society can prioritize the
use of our limited healthcare resources. Ideally, CEA should be
done from a societal prospective with long-term outcomes such as
life years saved, or quality-adjusted life years saved. These long-term
CEA outcomes allow comparison of different health care diagnostic
studies and interventions.
Evidence-based
Medicine and Imaging
The physicians
and the medical staff should base medical decisions and actions
on the best scientific evidence available. The HOPE Center performs
extensive literature review, operational and research studies to
provide our patients with the most updated medical information.
Guidelines and decision trees are developed to optimize the diagnostic
and therapeutic strategies for our patients.