A review of issues in hospital technology acquisition

The past decade has seen the restriction of reimbursement and increasing pressures for cost-containment mandate vast improvements in technology assessment. Because no single source of evaluative data exists, individual hospitals must develop their own assessment programs. Medical, monetary, legal and supplier issues must all be considered in response to any request for the acquisition of technology. This can be accomplished through a coordinated effort by a diverse grouping of the medical and technical talent found in any hospital. This paper reviews the important issues described in the literature and offers background and guidance for assessment concerns, in an attempt to assist the individual hospital in becoming a successful technology evaluator.