The BCM – Body Composition Monitor for managing fluid in people having dialysis

NICE has developed a medtech innovation briefing (MIB) on the BCM – Body Composition Monitor for managing fluid in people having dialysis.

The BCM – Body Composition Monitor is a bioimpedance device to measure the fluid status of people having dialysis for chronic kidney disease. Poor fluid management is associated with increased cardiovascular risk, further kidney damage and higher mortality. Five studies of generally low quality that compared the device with clinical judgement reported better fluid management with the BCM – Body Composition Monitor across several outcome measures. These improvements were statistically significant in 4 studies. The list price of the BCM – Body Composition Monitor package is £5750 (excluding VAT), which includes all the elements necessary for use. Each reading needs 4 disposable electrodes and packs of 40 electrodes cost £30.

Medtech innovation briefings provide a description of the medical technology, including its likely place in therapy, the costs of using the technology and a critical review of the strengths and weaknesses of the relevant published evidence.

Their purpose is to provide objective information on device and diagnostic technologies to aid local decision-making by clinicians, managers and procurement professionals. By making this information available, NICE helps to avoid the need for NHS organisations to produce similar information for local use.

Medtech innovation briefings are not NICE guidance. They differ in format, contain no judgement on the value of the technology and do not constitute a guidance recommendation.

MIBs are commissioned by NHS England and produced in support of the NHS 5 Year Forward View, specifically as one of a number of steps which will accelerate innovation in new treatments and diagnostics.