Technology assessment at the Institute for Clinical Systems Integration and HealthPartners.

The Technology Assessment Committee of the Institute for Clinical Systems Integration (ICSI) draws upon the resources of many different groups and in turn, keeps the groups informed about new medical treatments, devices, and procedures. This new Minneapolis-based technology assessment committee uses a collaborative effort to serve the information needs of many employer groups, patients, providers, and health care organizations in the area. This committee serves as the principal mechanism by which new medical and surgical procedures, devices, and treatments, as well as new applications of old but unproved or doubtful applications of existing technologies are reviewed for medical appropriateness at ICSI (a nonprofit quality improvement organization) and at HealthPartners (a combined staff and group model HMO in Minnesota).