Feb 3 2011
HSE has recommended HIQA to analyze the effectiveness of robotic surgeries. An expert team of HIQA headed by Dr Mairin Ryan, Director of Health Technology Assessment of HIQA, will perform the investigation.
Robotic procedure is the latest surgical method for treating medical problems related to urology, cardiology, gynecology, head and neck.
HIQA has reported that the requirement for assessing robot-assisted procedures had not arisen due to any unfavorable clinical events with this latest method. Their organization has been requested by HSE to analyze the robotic surgery for establishing its cost and clinical outcomes as well as to examine the required level of training for the hospital staff.
Dr Mairin Ryan has mentioned that HSE wished to evaluate the efficiency of robot-assisted surgery before launching it in the public health system, since the cost factor involved is high. HIQA has mentioned that the current price of laparoscopic robot-assisted surgery system is €2 million and will require €500,000 every year for its operation.
The laparoscopic robotic procedure is performed at the Galway Clinic, Cork University Maternity Hospital and the Mater Private Hospital.
Source: http://www.hiqa.ie