About ICET

Vision

• Establishing an interdisciplinary knowledge and research center which reveals new pathways to harness innovative technologies for better healthcare;
• Incorporating a broad spectrum of stakeholders aiming to promote patients' and professionals’ interests via technology;
• Connecting the open edged complexities regarding technology in healthcare through interdisciplinary brainstorming synergizing the participants assembling in the healthcare arena. 

Part of an International Network

• ICET is a member of the EuroScan international network - the leading collaborative global network on information and knowledge related to innovative technologies in health care.
• The EuroScan International Network collects and shares information on innovative technologies in health care to support decision making and the adoption and use of effective, useful and safe health-related technologies. The network is also the principal global forum for the sharing and development of methods for the early identification and early assessment of new and emerging health-related technologies, predicting their potential impact on health services and existing technologies. The EuroScan International Network is committed to work with a high level of transparency and professionalism, and in partnership with researchers, research centers, governments, and international organizations to produce high-quality information and effective early awareness and alert (EAA) systems for our respective constituencies. 

Building Blocks in the Foundation of ICET

The identification and analysis of innovative technologies is a window to comprehending the continuous dynamic development of modern health care. The dawn brings with it new medical technologies based on scientific knowledge-intensive breakthroughs, promising better health and quality of life. However, spiraling development is increasingly dependent on funding to enable the application of these new initiatives, especially in hospitals. This reality means that health care decision-makers need to facilitate/wisely manage/incorporate informed policy-making in the process of adoption of innovative health services and to set priorities, taking into consideration budgetary restrictions and comparative effectiveness. In the absence of a central mechanism to compile, update, and analyze the extensive information in this field which is both complex and dynamic, medical administrations are encumbered with this task. In response to this need in Israel an Early Warning/Forecasting Systems (EWS) unit was established within ICTAHC (The Israeli Center for Technology Assessment in Health Care), with activities expanding within the DMTP (Division for Medical Technology Policy) unit at the Ministry of Health and later coordinated at the ICET center.

Stages of Development of ICET

• The field of EWS within the framework of ICTAHC included initial consultations with the National Councils in the health system in order to characterize the needs of physicians and decision-makers in identifying innovative medical technologies and their value.
• Stage 2 involved preparations for development: Literature review and international discussions on the necessary profile of an EWS unit, principles regarding activities, and opportunities for success.
• Stage 3 following the development of the DMTP unit, entailed formulating a conceptual vision and work plan, determining aims and desired outputs from the EWS¹
• Stage 4 involved the formulation of work methodology for gathering knowledge and conducting research, analysis, and tracking of developments on promising innovative health technologies for anticipated clinical success.
• In stage 5 the plan focused on finding relevant team partners to nurture and activate the aims of the unit.
• In stage 6 an international workshop was organized for mutual learning and implementation of work methodologies.
• ICET is now a two-forked center with academic activities (identifying technologies) and practical implementation (technology assessment). Since 2012, the knowledge center of ICET identifies novel hospital technologies analyzing the current level of utilization, alongside the perspective for potential effectiveness.
• Knowledge regarding the level of the potential influence of the technology in the future, based on multi-dimensional mapping of relative effectiveness, serves as a tool for health care decision-makers to prioritize technologies. Data analysis and evaluation are incorporated into an international database on EWS.
• The ICET work methodology is based on a multi-dimensional model for prioritizing technologies which has a highly sensitive response to a wide range of critical criteria, values, and local restraints. While the traditional process of technology assessment is based on the analysis of epidemiological data through mathematical and computerized methodologies, the ICET work concept is an open system model drawing data from its environment/local surroundings, learning to adapt to the unique scenario and the dynamic circumstances characterizing the realm of medicine in general and the Israeli profile in particular.

Innovative in Shamir Medical Center

​ICET research activity conducted from Shamir (Assaf Harofeh) Medical Center, one of the four leading government hospitals in Israel, has a unique profile of incorporating clinical excellence and innovative technology. 

About 600 physicians and 1,300 nurses are dedicated to the implementation of new technologies for the welfare and benefit of both patients and staff.  Since this is a medical center constantly striving to achieve excellence, patients gain the advantages of new groundbreaking technologies that improve care and reduce complication rates and the length of hospitalization. 

For more than two decades, AHMC has been a leading hospital in the technology assessment arena, having an active technology committee, and creating the national guidelines for the adoption and reuse concept of health technology. Moreover, since 2012 academic research in HTA has bloomed encouraging teaching in the field with many other governmental and public partners.

The medical personnel at Shamir (Assaf Harofeh) Medical Center are constantly inspired to improve treatment, diagnosis, and service by the adoption of less invasive procedures, more advanced imaging devices and surgical techniques, and by the utilization of computerized databases, as well as unique and Innovative Technologies.

E-mail for more details: ornatal@shamir.gov.il