This is a new activity of AHRQ’s
Evidence-based Practice Center (EPC) Program. AHRQ’s EPC Program
develops evidence reports and technology assessments on topics
relevant to clinical and other health care organization and
delivery issues—specifically those that are common, expensive,
and/or significant for the Medicare and Medicaid populations. For
example recent reviews have focused on clinical conditions, such as
“Treatment of Nonmetastatic Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer” ;
health delivery topics such as “Management Strategies to Reduce
Psychiatric Admissions” ; and specific technologies such as
“Imaging Techniques for Treatment Evaluation for Metastatic Breast
Cancer.” These evidence reports include systematic reviews and
technical briefs, and provide an essential foundation from which to
understand what we know from existing research and what critical
research gaps remain. These reports, reviews, and technology
assessments are based on rigorous, comprehensive syntheses and
analyses of the scientific literature on topics. EPC reports and
assessments emphasize explicit and detailed documentation of
methods, rationale, and assumptions. EPC reports are conducted in
accordance with an established policy on financial and nonfinancial
interests. These scientific syntheses may include meta-analyses and
cost analyses. The EPC Program supports AHRQ’s mission by
synthesizing and disseminating the available research as a “science
partner” with private and public organizations in their efforts to
improve the quality, effectiveness, and appropriateness of health
care. The EPC Program is a trusted source of rigorous,
comprehensive, and unbiased evidence reviews for stakeholders. The
resulting evidence reports and technology assessments are used by
Federal and State agencies, private-sector professional societies,
health delivery systems, providers, payers, and others committed to
evidence-based health care. These end-users may use EPC Program
evidence reports to inform policy decisions, clinical practice
guidelines, and other healthcare decisions.
US Code:
42 USC Sec. 299 Name of Law: Healthcare and Research Quality
Act of 1999
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