Cross-disciplinary research to optimize the delivery of health care. Bridging the gap between quality, solidarity and sustainability of health systems and advanced medical technology. SINTEF Health Research, with about 130 employees, is one of the

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Cross-disciplinary research to optimize the
delivery of health care. Bridging the gap
between quality, solidarity and sustainability of
health systems and advanced medical
technology.SINTEF Health Research, with about
130 employees, is one of the major health
research institutions in Norway. Our strength is
found in our experience and extensive knowledge
within the fields of health, health services and
research methodology. Our forte is a
comprehensive view in analyses and
problem-solving, through close co-operation with
all stakeholders NGOs, professionals,
industries, universities and authorities. Though
we are a contract-based research institute, we
keep end-users in mind and strive to follow our
principles of improved health and quality of life
for all citizens.

• SINTEF Health Research is concentrated in four
  strategic areas
• - Medical technology- Health services research-
  Consultancy services and the management of
  data-registers
• - Preventive health care
• Medical technology
• SINTEF, in close co-operation with surgeons at St
  Olav University Hospital and the Faculty of
  Medicine at the University of Trondheim, is a
  leading international research institute within
  ultrasound assisted surgery. Researchers are
  concentrating on the development of "the
  operating room of the future, where our
  scientists collaborate with the surgeons in
  developing better methods for laparoscopic
  surgery. This also includes remote communication
  between operating surgeons and external experts.
• In the area of innovation, our staff is both
  actively initiating and providing consultancy
  services for industrial development in the health
  sector. These key players act as co-ordinators
  between research, manufacturers and public
  industrial support programs.
• SINTEF also administers the clinical evaluation
  of certain pharmaceutical products and medical
  technological innovations at several Norwegian
  hospitals.
• Health services research
• Our main research area is the evaluation of
  health services both within specialized health
  care and municipal services. We approach this
  theme by focusing on the cost and financing of
  services, organization of services, quality of
  services and the populations use of health
  services.
• SINTEF has been an important advisor to the
  Norwegian health authorities within the health
  services field for many years. We supply
  evidence-based knowledge including economic
  analyses, distribution and use of health
  services, development and analyses of indicators
  for medical practice and quality, as well as
  models for the planning and operation of health
  institutions.
• SINTEF actively participates in research and
  development both nationally and internationally
  in order to prepare society to cope with the
  growing demands for health and healthcare
  services from an increasing elderly population.
  Our scientists have developed a unique
  methodology for analyses of future demands to
  support the planning of new hospitals and future
  health services.
• Plans for escalating and improving mental health
  services have led to a growing demand for
  evidence-based knowledge as a basis for political
  and administrative decisions. In this field,
  SINTEF represents the largest research arena in
  Norway.
• Our Hospital planning department is an active
  member of EU Health property network, promoting
  better standards and more effective investment
  in, and management of, hospitals and health
  property throughout the EU.
• In collaboration with universities in a number of
  countries in Southern Africa, we contribute to
  building local expertise in research methodology
  in the field of living conditions and disability
  research.

SINTEFs research scientists collaborate with the
surgeons at St Olavs Hospital in developing
better methods for laparoscopic surgery. Using
complex software and stereoscopic images,
surgeons are able to achieve a unique view inside
the body. This aids in providing a better basis
for diagnoses and improved treatment. Equipped
with 3D-glasses, the doctors can walk into a
world of arteries, organs and tumours. The images
can also be transferred through the internet to
collaborating doctors any place in the world.
Through a long-term co-operation with disabled
peoples organisations, SINTEF carries out
studies on living conditions in several countries
in southern Africa. To date, the studies have
supplied Namibian, Zimbabwean, Malawian and
Zambian authorities with important data for the
development of government disability policy and
plans of action on disability issues. At the same
time SINTEF, in collaboration with university
departments in these countries, contributes to
further building local expertise in research
methodology and information management.
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Patient data and registers Every year SINTEF
publishes SAMDATA reports, which present steering
data, comparable statistics, and analyses on
utilization of both somatic and psychiatric
hospital services in Norway. The focus is on the
development of hospital services in relation to
the political goals for health care in
Norway. The reports present data on
costs, personnel use and bed capacity as well
as production and consumption of hospital
inpatient and outpatient services,
and waiting list and waiting time. The reports
also present indicators of productivity and costs
levels and indicators of clinical practices and
priorities. SINTEF runs the Norwegian Patient
Register (NPR), which collects and verifies
patient data from all public somatic hospitals
and psychiatric institutions in Norway, as well
as from some private hospitals. This is also
includes the collection and publishing of figures
regarding the waiting list situation in Norwegian
hospitals. NPR offers its services to public
authorities such as the Ministry of Health as
well as to hospitals, researchers, media and to
the public. SINTEF is also responsible for
development and maintenance of the DRG-system in
Norway, according to the activity based financing
system for hospitals. This also includes cost
calculations of patient groups used for pricing
and analyses, and calculation of total amount of
hospital payment. Preventive health
care Through both commissioned research and
competence building within microbiology and
HPV-infections, our researchers are in the front
within infectious disease research in Norway. We
are committed to increasing the utilisation of
patient register data for research purposes
through our networks with other national research
environments, industry, hospitals, and out in
general practice. SINTEF is part of an
international research network using
nano-technology in developing SmartWear,
intelligent textiles and wearable technology.
We are developing clotheing for physiological
and medical surveillance of patients, protective
clothes for surgeons and personal protective
equipment for fire fighters and others.
Customers SINTEF Health Research carries out
research and development for both the public
sector and industry. The figure shows a
breakdown of our customers and their relative
contribution to our gross income in 2005.
Surgeons often experience stress and high body
temperature during surgery. Surgeons at St Olav
University Hospital collaborate with SINTEF
scientists in developing smart clothes that
detect and control body temperature and
transpiration, using nano-technology integrated
in textiles.
Norwegian Research Council 8
Ministry of Health and Social services 31
Customers outside Norway 8
International custmers 8
Industry 7
Other public authorities 8
NGOs 1
Directorate for Health and Social Affairs 20
Regional Health Authorities 15
SINTEF Health Research Trondheim N 7465
TrondheimPhone 47 40 00 25 90 Fax 47 93
07 05 00E-mail helse_at_sintef.no
SINTEF Health Research Oslo PO Box 124 Blindern,
N 0314 OsloPhone 47 40 00 25 90 Fax
47 22 06 79 09 E-mail helse_at_sintef.no