Evidence generation plan for digital technologies for applying algorithms to spirometry to support asthma and COPD diagnosis in primary care and community diagnostic centres: early-use assessment
5 Minimum evidence standards
During the evidence generation period, new technologies may become available. This section summarises the minimum evidence requirements that a new technology would need to meet to be considered in the NICE evaluation after the evidence generation period.
The technology that has been recommended for use in the NHS during the evidence generation period has some clinical evidence suggesting that, compared with standard care, it has:
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comparable diagnostic accuracy results in populations suspected to have either asthma or COPD
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some evidence on spirometry performance quality assessment and spirometry pattern interpretation for example using American Thoracic Society and European Respiratory Society standards
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some costs and resource-use data showing plausibly cost-effective scenarios for diagnosis of asthma or COPD.
But, more information is still needed to fully understand the benefits it may provide. More evidence is needed on:
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diagnostic accuracy of the technology, ideally compared with standard care
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the impact of the technology on the NHS care pathway
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long-term resource use
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effectiveness in different subgroups.
This evidence is essential to future NICE decision making. It will also potentially inform the optimum use and implementation of technologies that apply algorithms to spirometry to support asthma and COPD diagnosis in the NHS.
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