Serving as a National Resource for Hospital Supplies and Equipment Evaluation: Project Team 5 Report to the Chief Medical Director

摘要

The rapid growth in the number and complexity of medical devices, together with growing concerns about their safety and effectiveness, has led to the introduction of new regulatory legislation and an expansion in the authority and role of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in this area. The Veterans Administration (VA) can lend significant support to the FDA's efforts by exchanging medical device experience information and by assisting in the development and application of device standards. A substantial need for comprehensive product evaluation information will continue and the VA has significant potential to meet this need. However, realizing this potential will require strengthening the VA's product evaluation programs and developing mechanisms for disseminating the results beyond the VA. Specific actions that could be taken to coordinate information exchange are suggested. A summary of the total project is found in The Future of the Veterans Administration in Health Care, July 1974. Three other project team reports were also published.