Clinical Evidence Assessment

Unbiased evidence analysis equals better decisions on new, emerging, and existing technologies

Health systems must continually evaluate an onslaught of new and emerging healthcare technologies, along with novel ways to use existing products, procedures, and care processes. It can be challenging to find time and resources to stay on top of the fast-changing landscape—and to gather and review evidence when evaluating a specific request or opportunity.

ECRI’s Clinical Evidence Assessment service for providers can help, delivering expert, objective evidence analysis, insights, and advice to support the value analysis process. Our team of doctoral-level research analysts (PhD and MD) delivers comprehensive and reliable evidence for balancing three critical priorities: outcomes, quality, and cost. Let us perform this time-intensive research so your internal resources can focus on other initiatives.

With no limit on the number of users in a member organization, ECRI gives healthcare providers access to our experts in evidence analysis and patient safety plus educational webinars on methods of health technology assessment and topics on drugs, devices, procedures, and care processes.

In-depth evidence reports

ECRI’s in-depth Evidence Reports arm healthcare leaders with comprehensive overviews of new and emerging medical treatments and procedures, as well as new uses for existing technologies. We develop each report through the evaluation of clinical studies and other sources that we identify through literature searches spanning numerous international databases. We then summarize findings in a list of easy-to-read checkpoints. Whether a technology or service is brand new or widely diffused, we provide the context for how it’s implemented and used so health systems know what to avoid and what to adopt.

Our research staff employ a range of analyses—including systematic review, recalculation of published data, original statistical data analyses of published study results, and patient and clinical registries. When evidence is sparse, we offer a critical qualitative review of knowns and unknowns.

Our CMO reviewed your reports on amniotic biologics with the group…It set a reference point for discussion that was very much different from the one we would have had without your resources…We may be looking at savings of more than $1 million.
Clinical Resource ManagerLarge, national nonprofit health system

Custom research

All members receive full access to ECRI’s library of relevant research. These publications include searchable content on more than 2,000 topics on which we have published, with new and updated reports posted weekly.

For an added layer of tailored support, choose a membership level that includes custom research. These members can submit research requests to our research team and receive tailored reports on their specified topics. The process is easy and effective. First, members receive our consultation services, where we work with them to identify key research questions and create a project timeline that meets member needs. Then, our medical librarians undertake clinical literature searches, and our analysts synthesize information into rapid assessments of the relevant evidence on the topic. We deliver our assessments in several report formats, depending on the subject matter and available clinical literature.

Online resources

Members have access to a searchable, browsable repository of 2,000+ evidence reports, rapid assessments, and white papers about new and emerging technologies. We publish succinct weekly briefs on hot new health technology topics and issues, as well as short descriptions of new drug, device, and biologic approvals with labeled indication and link to approval letter.

Trusted source of information and advice

The Clinical Evidence Assessment service is backed by ECRI’s 50+ years of health services research and experience. Our multidisciplinary evidence-based practice staff includes PhD-level scientists, physicians, nurses, medical technologists, clinical engineers, and Master’s-level medical librarians. Strict conflict-of-interest rules prohibit our staff and our organization from investing in medical device, pharmaceutical, or health insurance companies or from accepting grants, gifts, or advertising from such companies—giving health systems assurance of our total objectivity.

ECRI builds on the discipline and rigor of being 1 of 9 Evidence-Based Practice Centers designated by AHRQ to provide unbiased, trustworthy evidence-based clinical reports.

Interested in learning more?

Setup a consultation with an ECRI expert to learn how we support support the value analysis process.