Clinical Research Support (CRS) is a critical component of Hayes client services that provides individual assistance to clients with questions related to Hayes health technology assessments and information. CRS is provided by a team of registered nurses with clinical experience, advanced research training, and expertise in biomedical information who are adept at helping Hayes clients find the information that they need. Two levels of support are offered through the CRS team: Core CRS and Custom Support.

Core CRS is an integral part of every Hayes subscription and provides the best available information to clients in order to directly answer their questions. Clients can obtain help in interpreting reports in the Hayes Knowledge Center and can receive complimentary, focused research for questions regarding technologies that are related to those currently addressed in the Knowledge Center.

Custom Support is a premium service that gives clients access to a wide variety of technology research products and educational programs designed to address their specific business needs. Hayes analysts and the CRS nurses work with clients to determine the resources, information, and format that will most appropriately answer their questions regarding health technologies. Examples of Custom Support include ad hoc research, comparative effectiveness reviews, webinars, on-site workshops, and consulting projects.

Sample Clinical Research Support Questions (includes both Core and Custom requests)

• Do you have any information about autologous islet cell transplants for children undergoing pancreatectomy due to chronic pancreatitis?
• Do you have any information regarding laser treatment of alopecia areata?
• Do you have information on stem cell collection during orthopedic surgery?
• Can you provide information about a test performed to determine the presence of a mutated BRCA protein? It involves taking a swab from the inner cheek of a patient to obtain buccal cells, which are assayed for the presence of the BRCA protein.
• I need to know how long Regranex can be used continuously for the treatment of foot or heel ulcers.
• Please see if you can find any information on the use of the nutritional supplement, Metanax, in the treatment of diabetic neuropathy.
• I need information about whether the procedure, gonadal vein embolization for large pelvic varices, is considered experimental.
• Do you have anything on bevacizumab therapy for retinal neovascularization in patients with sarcoidosis?
• Can you find out if there is any literature or research to support the use of Embrel 50 mg twice a day for Rheumatoid Arthritis as opposed the FDA recommended dose of 50 mg once a day?
• I need to know if Progenix, a bone putty made by Medtronic, is considered experimental.
• Can you find any information for me regarding standard of care coverage for assistive listening devices, such as the Sound Field System?
• We are looking for information about patient outcomes for tests offered by Prometheus Labs for celiac disease, i.e., Celiac Plus, Celiac Serology, and Prometheus Celiac Genetics.
• We would like comparison information regarding results using standard blood glucose monitors (those requiring testing strips and lancets) vs. monitors that do not require strips and lancets.
• Is there any new information about bone anchored hearing aids that would change the Hayes Rating?