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Takahashi M, Sotodate G, Kajiwara W. Chiari network as a cause of neonatal hypoxemia. Cardiol Young 2023; 33:493-5. [PMID: 35801280 DOI: 10.1017/S1047951122002141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
The Chiari network is an embryonic remnant of the right venosus, consisting of a thin, mobile structure connected to the right atrium. Neonates with the Chiari network may present with hypoxemia. We report a case of a neonate with persistent hypoxemia despite improvement in respiratory distress symptoms and increased supplemental oxygen that was diagnosed using real-time telemedicine.
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Kuan PX, Chan WK, Fern Ying DK, Rahman MAA, Peariasamy KM, Lai NM, Mills NL, Anand A. Efficacy of telemedicine for the management of cardiovascular disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet Digit Health 2022; 4:e676-e691. [PMID: 36028290 PMCID: PMC9398212 DOI: 10.1016/s2589-7500(22)00124-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2022] [Revised: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 10/29/2022]
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Sotodate G, Oyama K, Saiki H, Matsumoto A, Konishi Y, Toya Y, Takashimizu N, Tsuchiya S. Comparing risk factors associated with the late detection of critical congenital heart disease at different facility levels. J Obstet Gynaecol Res 2020; 47:961-967. [PMID: 33350039 DOI: 10.1111/jog.14623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Revised: 11/25/2020] [Accepted: 12/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
AIMS Critical congenital heart disease (CCHD) requires surgery or catheter intervention within the first year of life; delayed diagnoses result in worsened outcomes. In Japan, there are few reports of delayed CCHD diagnosis. We investigated the diagnoses and factors associated with the late detection of CCHD. METHODS This retrospective cohort study evaluated 88 CCHD infants admitted to a level IV facility. We compared the late detection rates across facility levels of neonatal care and CCHD characteristics. RESULTS Critical congenital heart disease was identified prenatally in 46 (52%) infants: early (≤3 days postnatally) in 29 (33%) and late (≥4 days postnatally) in 13 (15%). The oxygen saturation of 27 of 29 infants with early detection and 7 of 13 infants with late detection was measured using pulse oximetry within 3 days postnatally. Factors associated with the late detection of CCHD were lack of clinical recognition of symptoms in five infants, referral to higher-level facilities after discharge in four infants, and definitive diagnosis not confirmed using echocardiography in four infants. The most common factors associated with late detection were referral to higher-level facilities after discharge in level I facilities and definitive diagnosis not confirmed using echocardiography in level II facilities. CONCLUSION Critical congenital heart disease may require advanced knowledge and echocardiographic techniques for diagnosis. Pulse oximetry and telemedicine should also be incorporated in the diagnostic algorithm. Improvement in these factors might contribute to reducing the late detection of CCHD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kotaro Oyama
- Department of Pediatrics, Iwate Medical University, Morioka, Japan
| | - Hirofumi Saiki
- Department of Pediatrics, Iwate Medical University, Morioka, Japan
| | | | - Yu Konishi
- Department of Pediatrics, Iwate Medical University, Morioka, Japan
| | - Yukiko Toya
- Department of Pediatrics, Iwate Medical University, Morioka, Japan
| | - Nao Takashimizu
- Department of Pediatrics, Iwate Medical University, Morioka, Japan
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Chowdhury D, Hope KD, Arthur LC, Weinberger SM, Ronai C, Johnson JN, Snyder CS. Telehealth for Pediatric Cardiology Practitioners in the Time of COVID-19. Pediatr Cardiol 2020; 41:1081-91. [PMID: 32656626 DOI: 10.1007/s00246-020-02411-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2020] [Accepted: 07/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been an increased interest in telehealth as a means of providing care for children by a pediatric cardiologist. In this article, we provide an overview of telehealth utilization as an extension of current pediatric cardiology practices and provide some insight into the rapid shift made to quickly implement these telehealth services into our everyday practices due to COVID-19 personal distancing requirements. Our panel will review helpful tips into the selection of appropriate patient populations and specific cardiac diagnoses for telehealth that put patient and family safety concerns first. Numerous practical considerations in conducting a telehealth visit must be taken into account to ensure optimal use of this technology. The use of adapted staffing and billing models and expanded means of remote monitoring will aid in the incorporation of telehealth into more widespread pediatric cardiology practice. Future directions to sustain this platform include the refinement of telehealth care strategies, defining best practices, including telehealth in the fellowship curriculum and continuing advocacy for technology.
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Satou GM, Rheuban K, Alverson D, Lewin M, Mahnke C, Marcin J, Martin GR, Mazur LS, Sahn DJ, Shah S, Tuckson R, Webb CL, Sable CA. Telemedicine in Pediatric Cardiology: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association. Circulation 2017; 135:e648-e678. [PMID: 28193604 DOI: 10.1161/cir.0000000000000478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
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Rouse CA, Woods BT, Mahnke CB. A retrospective analysis of a pediatric tele-echocardiography service to treat, triage, and reduce trans-Pacific transport. J Telemed Telecare 2017; 24:224-229. [PMID: 28094679 DOI: 10.1177/1357633x16689500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Introduction Tele-echocardiography can ensure prompt diagnosis and prevent the unnecessary transport of infants without critical congenital heart disease, particularly at isolated locations lacking access to tertiary care medical centers. Methods We retrospectively reviewed all infants who underwent tele-echocardiography at a remote 16-bed level IIIB NICU from June 2005 to March 2014. Tele-echocardiograms were completed by cardiac sonographers in Okinawa, Japan, and transmitted asynchronously for review by pediatric cardiologists in Hawaii. Results During the study period 100 infants received 192 tele-echocardiograms: 46% of infants had tele-echocardiograms completed for suspected patent ductus arteriosus, 28% for suspected congenital heart disease, 12% for possible congenital heart disease in the setting of likely pulmonary hypertension, and 10% for possible congenital heart disease in the setting of other congenital anomalies. Of these, 17 patients were aeromedically evacuated for cardiac reasons; 12 patients were transported to Hawaii, while five patients with complex heart disease were transported directly to the United States mainland for interventional cardiac capabilities not available in Hawaii. Discussion This study demonstrates the use of tele-echocardiography to guide treatment, reduce long and potentially risky trans-Pacific transports, and triage transports to destination centers with the most appropriate cardiac capabilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher A Rouse
- 1 Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, Bethesda, USA.,2 Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences, Department of Pediatrics, Bethesda, USA.,3 779th Medical Operations Squadron, Maryland, USA
| | - Brandon T Woods
- 4 University of Washington, School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, Seattle, USA
| | - C Becket Mahnke
- 5 Tripler Army Medical Center, Department of Pediatrics, Hawaii, USA
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Abstract
Among the wide range of medical specialties in which telemedicine has been successfully applied, cardiology can be considered as one of the most important fields of application. Through the transmission of clinical data and the electrocardiogram, telecardiology allows access to a real-time assessment (teleconsultation) without any need to travel for both patient and cardiologist. This review discusses the impact of telecardiology in different clinical settings of application. Pre-hospital telecardiology has proved to be useful either in the clinical management of remote patients with acute coronary syndrome or in supporting the decision-making process of general practitioners. In the setting of in-hospital telecardiology, most of the applications refer to real-time echocardiography transmissions between rural small hospitals and tertiary care centres, particularly for the diagnosis or exclusion of congenital heart disease in newborns. Finally, many trials show that post-hospital telecardiology improves outcomes and reduces re-admissions or outpatient contacts in patients with heart failure, arrhythmias or implantable devices.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Matteo Di Biase
- 2 Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, Italy
| | - Natale D Brunetti
- 2 Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, Italy
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Rashid U, Qureshi AU, Hyder SN, Sadiq M. Pattern of congenital heart disease in a developing country tertiary care center: Factors associated with delayed diagnosis. Ann Pediatr Cardiol 2016; 9:210-5. [PMID: 27625517 PMCID: PMC5007928 DOI: 10.4103/0974-2069.189125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective: To determine the delay in diagnosis of various types of congenital heart defects in children and factors associated with such delay. Patients and Methods: For this observational study, 354 patients having congenital heart disease (CHD) presenting for the first time to the Department of Cardiology, Children’s Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan, between January 1, 2015 and June 30, 2015, were enrolled after obtaining informed verbal consent from the guardian of each child. Demographical profile and various factors under observation were recorded. Results: Among the 354 enrolled children (M: F 1.7:1) with age ranging from 1 to 176 months (median 24 months), 301 (85.1%) had delayed diagnosis of CHD (mainly acyanotic 65.3%), with median delay (8 months). Main factors for delay were delayed first consultation to a doctor (37.2%) and delayed diagnosis by a health professional (22.5%). Other factors included delayed referral to a tertiary care hospital (13.3%), social taboos (13.0%), and financial constraints (12.3%). Most children were delivered outside hospital settings (88.7%). Children with siblings less than two (40%) were less delayed than those having two or more siblings (60%, P < 0.001). Conclusion: Diagnosis of congenital heart defect was delayed in majority of patients. Multiple factors such as lack of adequately trained health system and socioeconomic constraints were responsible for the delay. There is a need to develop an efficient referral system and improve public awareness in developing countries for early diagnosis and management of such children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Usman Rashid
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, The Children's Hospital and Institute of Child Health, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Ahmad U Qureshi
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, The Children's Hospital and Institute of Child Health, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Syed N Hyder
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, The Children's Hospital and Institute of Child Health, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Masood Sadiq
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, The Children's Hospital and Institute of Child Health, Lahore, Pakistan
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Arbeille P, Zuj K, Saccomandi A, Ruiz J, Andre E, de la Porte C, Carles G, Blouin J, Georgescu M. Teleoperated Echograph and Probe Transducer for Remote Ultrasound Investigation on Isolated Patients (Study of 100 Cases). Telemed J E Health 2016; 22:599-607. [DOI: 10.1089/tmj.2015.0186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Philippe Arbeille
- UMPS-CERCOM (Unit of Medicine and Space Physiology), Faculty of Medicine, University of Tours, Tours, France
| | - Kathryn Zuj
- UMPS-CERCOM (Unit of Medicine and Space Physiology), Faculty of Medicine, University of Tours, Tours, France
| | | | - Jose Ruiz
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital, Ceuta, Spain
| | - Elise Andre
- Multidisciplinary Health House, Richelieu, France
| | | | - Gabriel Carles
- Hospital of North East Guyana, St. Laurent du Maroni, Guyana, France
| | - Joel Blouin
- UMPS-CERCOM (Unit of Medicine and Space Physiology), Faculty of Medicine, University of Tours, Tours, France
| | - Monica Georgescu
- UMPS-CERCOM (Unit of Medicine and Space Physiology), Faculty of Medicine, University of Tours, Tours, France
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Arbeille P, Zuj K, Saccomandi A, Andre E, De La Porte C, Georgescu M. Tele-Operated Echography and Remote Guidance for Performing Tele-Echography on Geographically Isolated Patients. J Clin Med 2016; 5:E58. [PMID: 27304972 DOI: 10.3390/jcm5060058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2016] [Revised: 06/03/2016] [Accepted: 06/08/2016] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: To evaluate the performance of three tele-echography systems for routine use in isolated medical centers. Methods: Three systems were used for deep (abdomen, pelvis, fetal) and superficial (muscle, thyroid, carotid artery) examinations: (a) a robotic arm (RA) holding an echographic probe; (b) an echograph with a motorized probe (MP); and (c) remote guidance (RG) where the patient site operator performed the examination assisted by an expert via videoconference. All systems were tested in the same medical center located 60 km away from the university hospital. Results: A total of 340 remote echography examinations were performed (41% RA and MP, 59% RG). MP and RA allowed full control of the probe orientation by the expert, and provided diagnoses in 97% of cases. The use of RG was sufficient for superficial vessel examinations and provided diagnoses in 98% of cases but was not suited for deep or superficial organs. Assessment of superficial organs was best accomplished using the MP. Discussion: Both teleoperated systems provided control of the probe orientation by the expert necessary for obtaining appropriate views of deep organs but the MP was much more ergonomic and easier to use than the RA. RG was appropriate for superficial vessels while the MP was better for superficial volumic organs.
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Georgescu M, Sacccomandi A, Baudron B, Arbeille PL. Remote Sonography in Routine Clinical Practice Between Two Isolated Medical Centers and the University Hospital Using a Robotic Arm: A 1-Year Study. Telemed J E Health 2016; 22:276-81. [DOI: 10.1089/tmj.2015.0100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Monica Georgescu
- UMPS-CERCOM Service d'Echographie Doppler, CHU Trousseau, Tours, France
| | | | - Bernard Baudron
- Etablissement d'Hospitalisation pour Personnes Agées et Dependantes, Montoire sur Loir, France
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Abstract
Cardiovascular disease is one of the main fields of application for telemedicine, with benefits in almost all areas in the continuum of cardiovascular disease. The greatest impact has been shown in the early diagnosis of cardiovascular disease, in second consultation, between non-cardiologist and cardiologist and between cardiologists, and in follow-up and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease. At present, the main area of implementation for telemedicine in cardiovascular disease is represented by pre-hospital triage, with telemedicine electrocardiogram in acute myocardial infarction. Significant results have also been achieved in the second opinion consultation of pediatric subjects with congenital cardiovascular disease, home-monitoring and the management of patients affected by chronic heart failure or with an implanted device. However, there is significant room for further improvement in delivering telemedicine assistance even in 'very-remote' populations, such as detainees, patients in developing countries or in underdeveloped areas of developed countries.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Simonetta Scalvini
- b U.O. Cardiologia Riabilitativa , IRCCS Fondazione Salvatore Maugeri , Brescia , Italy
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Arbeille P, Provost R, Zuj K, Dimouro D, Georgescu M. Teles-operated echocardiography using a robotic arm and an internet connection. Ultrasound Med Biol 2014; 40:2521-2529. [PMID: 25130450 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2014.05.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2014] [Revised: 05/05/2014] [Accepted: 05/19/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
The objective was to design and validate a method of tele-operated echocardiography. The method was tested in a hospital facility with an expert sonographer located in a room 10 m away from the patient. An ultrasound probe, fixed to a motorized probe holder, was located on the patient by a non-sonographer and was remotely controlled by the expert sonographer via an Internet connection. Scans were performed on 41 cardiac patients. The quality of the cardiac views obtained using tele-echocardiography was lower than that of reference echocardiography, but generated similar measurements in 93%-100% of the cases. Bland-Altman plots and statistical comparison of tele- and reference echocardiography measures revealed no differences (p > 0.05). Of the 71 valve leaks or aortic stenoses present, 61 (86%) were detected using tele-echocardiography. These results indicate that tele-echocardiography provided reliable diagnoses and acceptable measurements in 86% and 93% of cases, respectively, with no false-positive diagnoses being reported.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philippe Arbeille
- UMPS-CERCOM (Unite Medecine Physiologie Spatiales), Medecine Nucleaire et Ultrasons, Hopital Universitaire Trousseau, Tours, France.
| | - Romain Provost
- UMPS-CERCOM (Unite Medecine Physiologie Spatiales), Medecine Nucleaire et Ultrasons, Hopital Universitaire Trousseau, Tours, France
| | - Kathryn Zuj
- UMPS-CERCOM (Unite Medecine Physiologie Spatiales), Medecine Nucleaire et Ultrasons, Hopital Universitaire Trousseau, Tours, France
| | - Dominique Dimouro
- UMPS-CERCOM (Unite Medecine Physiologie Spatiales), Medecine Nucleaire et Ultrasons, Hopital Universitaire Trousseau, Tours, France
| | - Monica Georgescu
- UMPS-CERCOM (Unite Medecine Physiologie Spatiales), Medecine Nucleaire et Ultrasons, Hopital Universitaire Trousseau, Tours, France
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Krishnan A, Fuska M, Dixon R, Sable CA. The Evolution of Pediatric Tele-echocardiography: 15-Year Experience of Over 10,000 Transmissions. Telemed J E Health 2014; 20:681-6. [DOI: 10.1089/tmj.2013.0279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Anita Krishnan
- Children's National Heart Institute, Children's National Medical Center, Washington, D.C
| | - Mary Fuska
- Children's National Heart Institute, Children's National Medical Center, Washington, D.C
| | - Ron Dixon
- Children's National Heart Institute, Children's National Medical Center, Washington, D.C
| | - Craig A. Sable
- Children's National Heart Institute, Children's National Medical Center, Washington, D.C
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Dharmar M, Romano PS, Kuppermann N, Nesbitt TS, Cole SL, Andrada ER, Vance C, Harvey DJ, Marcin JP. Impact of Critical Care Telemedicine Consultations on Children in Rural Emergency Departments*: . Crit Care Med 2013; 41:2388-95. [DOI: 10.1097/ccm.0b013e31828e9824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 118] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Brunetti ND, Conoscitore AR, Dellegrottaglie G, Di Giuseppe G, De Gennaro L, Antonelli G, Bruna A, Di Biase M. Exercise training and obesity in Italian children directly assessed by primary school teachers with tele-cardiology support: A pilot experience. Int J Cardiol 2013; 168:1699-702. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2013.03.070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2013] [Accepted: 03/23/2013] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Webb CL, Waugh CL, Grigsby J, Busenbark D, Berdusis K, Sahn DJ, Sable CA. Impact of telemedicine on hospital transport, length of stay, and medical outcomes in infants with suspected heart disease: a multicenter study. J Am Soc Echocardiogr 2013; 26:1090-8. [PMID: 23860093 DOI: 10.1016/j.echo.2013.05.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2012] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous single-center studies have shown that telemedicine improves care in newborns with suspected heart disease. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that telemedicine would shorten time to diagnosis, prevent unnecessary transports, reduce length of stay, and decrease exposure to invasive treatments. METHODS Nine pediatric cardiology centers entered data prospectively on patients aged <6 weeks, matched by gestational age, weight, and diagnosis. Subjects born at hospitals with and without access to telemedicine constituted the study group and control groups, respectively. Data from patients with mild or no heart disease were analyzed. RESULTS Data were obtained for 337 matched pairs with mild or no heart disease. Transport to a tertiary care center (4% [n = 15] vs 10% [n = 32], P = .01), mean time to diagnosis (100 vs 147 min, P < .001), mean length of stay (1.0 vs 26 days, P = .005) and length of intensive care unit stay (0.96 vs 2.5 days, P = .024) were significantly less in the telemedicine group. Telemedicine patients were significantly farther from tertiary care hospitals than control subjects. The use of inotropic support and indomethacin was significantly less in the telemedicine group. By multivariate analysis, telemedicine patients were less likely to be transported (odds ratio, 0.44; 95% confidence interval, 0.23-0.83) and less likely to be placed on inotropic support (odds ratio, 0.16; 95% confidence interval, 0.10-0.28). CONCLUSIONS Telemedicine shortened the time to diagnosis and significantly decreased the need for transport of infants with mild or no heart disease. The length of hospitalization and intensive care stay and use of indomethacin and inotropic support were less in telemedicine patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine L Webb
- University of Michigan Congenital Heart Center, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
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Haley JE, Klewer SE, Barber BJ, Meaney FJ, Donnerstein RL, Weinstein RS, Krupinski E, Warda G, Lopez AM, Lax D. Remote Diagnosis of Congenital Heart Disease in Southern Arizona: Comparison Between Tele-echocardiography and Videotapes. Telemed J E Health 2012; 18:736-42. [DOI: 10.1089/tmj.2012.0037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jessica E. Haley
- Section of Cardiology, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona
| | - Scott E. Klewer
- Section of Cardiology, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona
| | - Brent J. Barber
- Section of Cardiology, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona
| | - F. John Meaney
- Department of Pediatrics, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Daniela Lax
- Section of Cardiology, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona
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Barbier P, Dalla Vecchia L, Mirra G, Di Marco S, Cavoretto D. Near real-time echocardiography teleconsultation using low bandwidth and MPEG-4 compression: feasibility, image adequacy and clinical implications. J Telemed Telecare 2012; 18:204-10. [PMID: 22604273 DOI: 10.1258/jtt.2012.111011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
We assessed the feasibility, image adequacy and clinical utility of a tele-echocardiography service which combined video compression with low-bandwidth store-and-forward transmission. Echocardiograms were acquired by a hospital geriatrician, compressed and transmitted using both near real-time (urgent) and delayed (pre-programmed) protocols via an Internet connection to the notebook PC of a remote cardiologist. Clinical utility was evaluated as a change in therapeutic management. During a one-year period, 101 tele-echocardiography consultations were successfully performed (feasibility = 100%) on 95 patients (age 22-95 years), admitted with cardiovascular or neurological diagnoses (24% of the consultations were urgent). In total, 4617 files (1.4 GByte of data) were transmitted, 2669 of which were short video clips. On average, 46 files (13.8 MByte) were transmitted (mean duration 10 min) at each examination. Consultations (both urgent and pre-programmed) were clinically useful in 83% of examinations. Logistic regression analysis showed that both a low left ventricular systolic function and the examination indication were determinants of clinical utility. The transmitted images were considered adequate for diagnosis in 100% of the pre-programmed teleconsultations. Tele-echocardiography using MPEG-4 video compression is a feasible, adequate and clinically useful tool for telemedicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Barbier
- Echocardiography Laboratory, Centro Cardiologico Monzino, IRCCS, Milano, Italy.
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Affiliation(s)
- James P Marcin
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California Davis Children's Hospital, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA.
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Golombek S, Sola A, Baquero H, Borbonet D, Cabañas F, Fajardo C, Goldsmit G, Lemus L, Miura E, Pellicer A, Pérez J, Rogido M, Zambosco G, van Overmeire B. Primer consenso clínico de SIBEN: enfoque diagnóstico y terapéutico del ductus arterioso permeable en recién nacidos pretérmino. An Pediatr (Barc) 2008. [DOI: 10.1157/13128002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
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Huang T, Moon-Grady AJ, Traugott C, Marcin J. The availability of telecardiology consultations and transfer patterns from a remote neonatal intensive care unit. J Telemed Telecare 2008; 14:244-8. [DOI: 10.1258/jtt.2008.080102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
We examined records of all admissions to an isolated community neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in California between 2001 and 2006. We also reviewed the echocardiograms for diagnosis, disposition of patient and necessity for transport. In 2004, a telemedicine link (mainly store-and-forward) was established to a university children's hospital (UCH) 290 km away. The number of NICU patients having an echocardiogram increased from 280 (27% of 1029 admissions) to 385 (40% of 963, P = <0.001) after telemedicine became available. There was an increase in the proportion of normal studies, from 31% to 37% ( P = 0.03), and an increase in the number of patients diagnosed with cardiac pathology from 192 (19% of all admissions) to 241 (25%, P < 0.001). Twenty-four patients were transferred for cardiac reasons during each three-year period; however seven pre-telemedicine transfers were avoidable, compared with two post-telemedicine transfers ( P = 0.06). There was a change in referral pattern (65% to the UCH pre-telemedicine, compared with 78% post-telemedicine) although it was not significant ( P = 0.10). Thus the availability of the telecardiology link was associated with increases in the utilization of echocardiography, in the proportion of normal studies, and in the percentage of neonates diagnosed with cardiac pathology without an increase in the number transferred for cardiac reasons. There was a reduction in unnecessary transfers and a strengthened relationship with the centre providing the telecardiology service.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tannie Huang
- University of California Davis Children's Hospital, Sacramento
| | - Anita J Moon-Grady
- University of California Davis Children's Hospital, Sacramento
- University of California San Francisco, San Francisco
| | - Craig Traugott
- University of California Davis Children's Hospital, Sacramento
- Mercy Medical Center, Redding, California, USA
| | - James Marcin
- University of California Davis Children's Hospital, Sacramento
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McCrossan BA, Grant B, Morgan GJ, Sands AJ, Craig B, Casey FA. Diagnosis of congenital heart disease in neonates by videoconferencing: an eight-year experience. J Telemed Telecare 2008; 14:137-40. [DOI: 10.1258/jtt.2008.003011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Summary Over an eight-year period, echocardiograms were transmitted by ISDN at 384 kbit/s for a total of 132 patients suspected of having congenital heart disease (CHD). Five transmitted scans were inadequate. Hands-on echocardiograms were performed subsequently on 116 of the remaining 127 cases (91%). Major CHD was diagnosed in 42 of the 116 infants (36%) and minor CHD in 49 (42%). The telemedicine diagnosis was accurate in 97% of the cases (kappa = 0.90). There were four diagnostic errors. Transfer to the regional unit was avoided in 95 patients (72%). The present study shows that high diagnostic accuracy is possible using a telemedicine link to transmit images obtained with the assistance of real-time guidance by a paediatric cardiologist. The results also demonstrate the importance of an expert interpreting the echocardiographic images, since the accuracy of diagnosis was considerably improved (the kappa coefficient increased from 0.14 to 0.90).
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian A McCrossan
- Department of Paediatric Cardiology, Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Brian Grant
- Department of Paediatric Cardiology, Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Gareth J Morgan
- Department of Paediatric Cardiology, Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Andrew J Sands
- Department of Paediatric Cardiology, Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Brian Craig
- Department of Paediatric Cardiology, Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Frank A Casey
- Department of Paediatric Cardiology, Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
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Saqui O, Chang A, McGonigle S, Purdy B, Fairholm L, Baun M, Yeung M, Rossos P, Allard J. Telehealth videoconferencing: improving home parenteral nutrition patient care to rural areas of Ontario, Canada. JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr 2007; 31:234-9. [PMID: 17463150 DOI: 10.1177/0148607107031003234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Telehealth videoconferencing is a medium for health care professionals to communicate and care for patients living in remote areas. The aim of this study was to provide a survey to examine management outcome of home parenteral nutrition (HPN) patients when followed by telehealth as an alternative modality of care. METHODS Twenty-six individuals who were identified to benefit from tele-health were invited to participate in a satisfaction survey. The survey was sent to patients by postal mail. The survey also documented the incidence of line sepsis and other medical HPN complications. A cost analysis was also performed according to technology, human resources, and infrastructure. RESULTS Eighty-one telehealth videoconference sessions have been held since the inception of telehealth in 2002. Of the current telehealth patients, 13 were eligible for the survey. The satisfaction survey response rate was 11/13 (84.6%). The average line sepsis rate for the 13 patients was 0.89/1000 catheter-days. All patients were generally satisfied with videoconferencing as an alternative method of communication and care for new consultation, patient and family education, and follow-up. Travel time and costs to the patients, their families, and the health care system were significantly less. For example, a patient who resides 611 km from Toronto would cost CDN (Canadian) 724.00 dollars for flight and accommodation to meet with the team at the HPN clinic in Toronto. CONCLUSION Telehealth incorporated the cost-saving ability for HPN patients to maintain proper medical care, support, and collaboration of specialists inaccessible to their local community. Thus, its strongly positive role in HPN care deserves further consideration for a national application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia Saqui
- Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Woodson KE, Sable CA, Cross RR, Pearson GD, Martin GR. Forward and store telemedicine using Motion Pictures Expert Group: a novel approach to pediatric tele-echocardiography. J Am Soc Echocardiogr 2005; 17:1197-200. [PMID: 15502797 DOI: 10.1016/j.echo.2004.06.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Live transmission of echocardiograms over integrated services digital network lines is accurate and has led to improvements in the delivery of pediatric cardiology care. Permanent archiving of the live studies has not previously been reported. Specific obstacles to permanent storage of telemedicine files have included the ability to produce accurate images without a significant increase in storage requirements. OBJECTIVE We evaluated the accuracy of Motion Pictures Expert Group (MPEG) digitization of incoming video streams and assessed the storage requirements of these files for infants in a real-time pediatric tele-echocardiography program. RESULTS All major cardiac diagnoses were correctly diagnosed by review of MPEG images. MPEG file size ranged from 11.1 to 182 MB (56.5 +/- 29.9 MB). CONCLUSIONS MPEG digitization during live neonatal telemedicine is accurate and provides an efficient method for storage. This modality has acceptable storage requirements; file sizes are comparable to other digital modalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristina E Woodson
- Division of Cardiology, Los Angeles Children's Hospital, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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Bellavance M, Béland MJ, van Doesburg NH, Paquet M, Ducharme FM, Cloutier A. Implanting telehealth network for paediatric cardiology: learning from the Quebec experience. Cardiol Young 2004; 14:608-14. [PMID: 15679996 DOI: 10.1017/s1047951104006055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
The implementation committee of the Quebec Child Telehealth Network was formed in 1997, with a mandate to build a network dedicated to the diagnosis of congenital cardiac disease via telemedicine. We devised criterions for selection to determine which peripheral centres would be linked by telemedicine to the university-based services for paediatric cardiology provided in the Canadian Province of Quebec. The criterions included: distance from a university centre, number of births per year, and presence of an already-established outreach clinic for paediatric cardiology. The Quebec Network became operational in 2000, and was composed of 32 peripheral centres and 4 university centres. A total of 363 transmissions of echocardiograms occurred over a 3-year period from January 2000 to December 2002. Peripheral centres located at a distance greater than 100 kilometres from a university centre were 8.5 times more likely to use the network. Criterions other than distance did not influence whether or not a peripheral centre used the network. Cardiac abnormalities were identified in almost two-thirds of the transmissions. The use of the Quebec Network resulted in the avoidance of transfers or clinic visits to university hospitals in seven-tenths of cases. We conclude that distance greater than 100 kilometres from a centre offering subspecialty services in paediatric cardiology is the most important criterion for choosing the peripheral centres that are most likely to use a telehealth network. In its first three years of operation, the telehealth network had a major impact on the delivery of paediatric cardiac care, improving access to subspecialty services across the province.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc Bellavance
- Département de Pédiatrie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Sherbrooke, Fleurimont
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Abstract
One hundred and four articles, published from 1966 to 2000, were reviewed to investigate telemedicine evaluation studies in terms of methods and outcomes. A total of 112 evaluations were reported in these 104 articles. Two types of evaluations were evaluated: clinical and nonclinical. Within the clinical evaluations, three were on clinical effectiveness, 26 on patient satisfaction, 49 on diagnostic accuracy, and nine on cost. In the non-clinical evaluations, 15 articles discussed technical issues relating to digital images, such as bandwidth, resolution, and color, and 10 articles assessed management issues concerning efficiency of care, such as avoiding unnecessary patient transfer, or saving time. Of the 112 evaluations, 72 were descriptive in nature. The main methods used in the remaining 40 articles used quantitative methods. Nineteen articles employed statistical techniques, such as receiver operating characteristics curve (three evaluations) and kappa values (seven evaluations). Only one article utilized a qualitative approach to describe a telemedicine system. Currently, there are a number of good reports on diagnostic accuracy, satisfaction, and technological evaluation. However, clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness are important parameters, and they have received limited attention. Since telemedicine evaluations tend to explore various outcomes, it may be appropriate to evaluate from a multidisciplinary perspective, and to utilize various methodologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noriaki Aoki
- School of Health Information Sciences, University of Texas Health Science Center-Houston, Houston, Texas, USA.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Echocardiography is an investigation that is being used increasingly on the neonatal unit. There is some controversy as to whether this service can be provided safely and effectively by neonatologists or whether it should only be performed by paediatric cardiologists. AIMS To describe (a) the indications for an echocardiogram, (b) the yield and range of positive findings, (c) the resulting changes in clinical management, and (d) the reliability of echocardiography in the hands of neonatologists when it is performed on the neonatal unit. METHODS Information about all echocardiograms performed on the neonatal unit was collected prospectively. Indications for performing echocardiography, echocardiographic findings, and any resulting changes in clinical management were determined. The concordance of findings in infants who underwent echocardiograms performed by both a neonatologist and a paediatric cardiologist was described. RESULTS A total of 157 echocardiograms were performed in 82 infants. Echocardiography identified 44 infants with a structural cardiac abnormality and a further 17 infants with a trivial abnormality. In addition, 13 babies were found to have an important functional abnormality. Echocardiography prompted a specific change in clinical management in 64 (78%) babies. In 31 of the 38 infants who had paired scans performed, there was complete concordance between the two examinations. No infants had scans that were completely different. Some discrepancy was identified in seven infants, but this did not prevent appropriate immediate clinical management. CONCLUSIONS Echocardiography on the neonatal unit has a high yield for the diagnosis of structural and functional cardiac abnormalities, often results in a change in clinical management, and can be a reliable tool in the hands of neonatologists.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Moss
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Liverpool Women's Hospital, Liverpool, UK
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Abstract
UNLABELLED Echocardiographic images can be transmitted over increasing distances with less cost and better quality thanks to advances in the field of telecommunications. This technological support can be used to detect heart defects in newborns and children in remote situations. The intent of this study was to confirm the feasibility and usefulness of telemedical communication for echocardiographic evaluation of paediatric cardiovascular disease. A total of 214 echocardiographs were performed in 194 children at a remote hospital by an experienced sonographer in paediatric echocardiography. These echocardiograms were transmitted to a distant tertiary care paediatric cardiology centre using a telemedicine link across three ISDN lines. There an experienced paediatric cardiologist interpreted the tele-echocardiograms. Tele-distant diagnoses were prospectively documented and compared with the diagnoses made subsequently on direct consultation and echocardiography. The quality of transmitted echocardiographic images was sufficient for evaluation except for one case. In 191 children (98%), the remote echocardiographic diagnosis was correct as confirmed by follow-up face to face consultations. Three cases were diagnosed incorrectly. CONCLUSION our results confirm that accurate and rapid diagnosis can be provided by tele-echocardiography in neonates and children. This facilitates the appropriate care of these patients as expensive and potentially dangerous long-distance transfers can be avoided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Widmer
- Division of Paediatrics, Ospedale San Giovanni, Bellinzona, Switzerland
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Sharma S, Parness IA, Kamenir SA, Ko H, Haddow S, Steinberg LG, Lai WW. Screening fetal echocardiography by telemedicine: efficacy and community acceptance. J Am Soc Echocardiogr 2003; 16:202-8. [PMID: 12618726 DOI: 10.1067/mje.2003.46] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Our aim was to assess whether tertiary level screening fetal echocardiography can be extended to primary care facilities with telemedicine assistance. METHODS Assessment of image quality and the adequacy of fetal echocardiograms recorded after random transmission at 128, 384, or 768 kbits/s was performed. Live fetal echocardiograms were transmitted at 384 kbits/s (3 integrated services digital network lines) from the remote primary care center. Patient satisfaction was assessed by surveys obtained after office-based and telemedicine consultations. RESULTS A total of 58 recorded normal studies had similar image quality and adequacy on transmission at 384 and 768 kbits/s (P =.08 and.49, respectively) and were significantly better than 128 kbits/s (P <.01). During live screening transmitted at 384 kbits/s from the primary care center, 3 of 34 fetuses were diagnosed with heart disease. Surveys from patients with direct physician contact and by telemedicine showed a high satisfaction with telemedicine-assisted screening and counseling. CONCLUSION Adequate screening for fetal heart disease is technically feasible at or above data transmission rates of 384 kbits/s. Community acceptance for telemedicine-assisted screening and counseling is not adversely affected by a lack of direct personal contact with the specialist.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sangeeta Sharma
- Department of Pediatrics, Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York, NY 10029, USA
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Navein J. The north-west region community PACS study. J Telemed Telecare 2002; 8 Suppl 2:67-9. [PMID: 12217142 DOI: 10.1177/1357633x020080s231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
A recent study in the West Surrey Health Authority demonstrated substantial advantages from viewing a picture archiving and communication system (PACS) as a whole-community asset, that is, a community PACS (CPACS). To test how this concept could be translated to other situations, the present study extrapolated the CPACS concept to the north-west healthcare region of the UK (population around seven million). A CPACS is a network covering multiple hospitals and community organizations, with a single archive and a broadband network to support it. A CPACS would provide a much better service to patients. It would bring financial economies of scale of up to 17%. It could provide the big modernization idea which brings clinicians, managers and technologists together. On the other hand, it could well be too big to manage.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Navein
- Modernising Healthcare, Stratford-upon-Avon, UK.
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Abstract
We tested the adequacy of a videoconferencing system using a single integrated systems digital network (ISDN) line (128 kilobits per second) for the remote diagnosis of children with suspected congenital heart disease (CHD). Real-time echocardiogram interpretation was compared to subsequent videotape review in 401 studies with concordance in 383 (95.5%) studies. A new diagnosis of CHD was made in 98 studies. Immediate patient transfer was arranged based upon a real-time diagnosis in five studies. In 300 studies, a normal diagnosis obviated further evaluation. A single ISDN line is adequate for transmission of pediatric echocardiograms and it allows for remote management of patients with CHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelo S Milazzo
- Pediatric Cardiovascular Program, Duke University Medical Center, Box 3090, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
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Krupinski E, Nypaver M, Poropatich R, Ellis D, Safwat R, Sapci H. Telemedicine/telehealth: an international perspective. Clinical applications in telemedicine/telehealth. Telemed J E Health 2002; 8:13-34. [PMID: 12020403 DOI: 10.1089/15305620252933374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
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Affiliation(s)
- J L Katumba-Lunyenya
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Milton Keynes Hospital NHS Trust, Standing Way, Eaglestone, Milton Keynes, Bucks MK6 5LD, UK.
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Sable CA, Cummings SD, Pearson GD, Schratz LM, Cross RC, Quivers ES, Rudra H, Martin GR. Impact of telemedicine on the practice of pediatric cardiology in community hospitals. Pediatrics 2002; 109:E3. [PMID: 11773571 DOI: 10.1542/peds.109.1.e3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tele-echocardiography has the potential to bring real-time diagnoses to neonatal facilities without in-house pediatric cardiologists. Many neonates in rural areas, smaller cities, and community hospitals do not have immediate access to pediatric sonographers or echocardiogram interpretation by pediatric cardiologists. This can result in suboptimal echocardiogram quality, delay in initiation of medical intervention, unnecessary patient transport, and increased medical expenditures. Telemedicine has been used with increased frequency to improve efficiency of pediatric cardiology care in hospitals that are not served by pediatric cardiologists. Initial reports suggest that telecardiology is accurate, improves patient care, is cost-effective, enhances echocardiogram quality, and prevents unnecessary transports of neonates in locations that are not served by pediatric cardiologists. OBJECTIVE We report the largest series to evaluate the impact of telemedicine on delivery of pediatric cardiac care in community hospitals. We hypothesized that live telemedicine guidance and interpretation of neonatal echocardiograms from community hospitals is accurate, improves patient care, enhances sonographer proficiency, allows for more efficient physician time management, increases patient referrals, and does not result in increased utilization of echocardiography. METHODS Using desktop videoconferencing computers, pediatric cardiologists guided and interpreted pediatric echocardiograms from 2 community hospital nurseries 15 miles from a tertiary care center. Studies were transmitted in real-time using the H.320 videoconferencing protocol over 3 integrated services digital network lines (384 kilobits per second). This resulted in a frame rate of 23 to 30 frames per second. Sonographers who primarily scanned adult patients but had received additional training in echocardiography of infants performed the echocardiograms. Additional views were suggested as deemed necessary by the interpreting physician, and interpretations were made during the videoconference. The results of the echocardiogram and recommendations for patient care were communicated to the referring physician over the telemedicine system. Analyses of accuracy, patient treatment, echocardiogram quality, time to diagnosis, pediatric cardiologist practice time management, patient referral patterns, and echocardiography utilization were conducted prospectively. RESULTS A total of 500 studies in 364 patients were transmitted during a 30-month period. The most common indication for echocardiography was to rule out congenital heart disease (208 of 500 studies). Signs and symptoms that prompted this concern included cyanosis, murmur, tachypnea, genetic syndrome, arrhythmia, abnormal fetal echocardiogram, and maternal diabetes. Other indications included suspected patent ductus arteriosus (PDA; 182 of 500 studies), intracardiac clot or catheter position, persistent pulmonary hypertension, and hemodynamic instability. Cardiac diagnoses included complex congenital heart disease (n = 16), noncritical heart disease (n = 107), and PDA (n = 86). Additional diagnoses included persistent pulmonary hypertension (n = 12), septal hypertrophy (n = 18), right atrial mass/clot/vegetation (n = 11), and decreased cardiac function (n = 6). An umbilical venous catheter was visualized in the left atrium in 9% (45 of 500) of all studies. No significant abnormalities were found in 244 studies. Major diagnoses were confirmed by subsequent review of videotape in all studies. Comparison of final videotape interpretation to initial telemedicine diagnosis resulted in 1 minor diagnostic change (membranous versus inlet ventricular septal defect). Echocardiograms were performed in subsequent visits in 264 patients. The diagnosis was altered in 3 patients. Telemedicine had an immediate impact on patient care in 151 transmissions. The most common interventions were indomethacin treatment for PDA (n = 76), retraction of umbilical venous catheters from the left atrium (n = 45), inotropic or anticongestive therapy (n = 19), anticoagulation (n = 8), and prostaglandin infusion (n = 8). Nineteen patients were transported to our hospital because of the telemedicine diagnosis. Inpatient or outpatient cardiology follow-up was recommended in an additional 131 studies and did not result in any change in the initial management. The most common diagnoses in these patients were ventricular septal defect (n = 56), atrial septal defect (n = 21), septal hypertrophy (n = 9), intracardiac thrombosis (n = 8), and pulmonary valve stenosis (n = 4). We speculate that the immediate availability of an echocardiographic diagnosis likely prevented unnecessary transport in 14 cases. Recommendations for additional views or adjustment of echocardiography machine settings were made in 95% of transmissions. Real-time guidance was especially helpful in suprasternal notch and subcostal sagittal imaging. Depth, color Doppler sector size, and color Doppler scale were frequently adjusted from routine adult settings during the teleconference. The average time from request for echocardiogram to completion of the videoconference was 28 +/- 14 minutes. This was significantly shorter than the waiting time (12 +/- 16 hours) for the videotape to be delivered by courier. Telemedicine eliminated the need for consultation in 194 cases and allowed the cardiologist to delay the visit until the end of the day in an additional 26 cases. This resulted in average time savings of 4.2 person-hours/wk based on travel and consultation time. Utilization of echocardiography was similar before (35 of 1000 births) and after (33 of 1000 to 43 of 1000) telemedicine installation. The percentage of neonatal echocardiograms that were interpreted by our practice increased from 63% to 81% at 1 hospital and from 0% to 100% at the other hospital. CONCLUSION Real-time transmission of neonatal echocardiograms from community hospitals over 3 integrated services digital network lines is accurate and has the potential to improve patient care, enhance echocardiogram quality, aid sonographer education, and have a positive impact on referral patterns and time management without increasing the utilization of echocardiography.
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Affiliation(s)
- Craig A Sable
- Children's National Medical Center and George Washington University Medical School, Washington, DC, USA.
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Abstract
Echocardiography is often used to diagnose and exclude important cardiac diagnoses in adults and children. Evolving telemedicine technology has the potential to improve access to echocardiography diagnoses in the intensive care unit, emergency room, and newborn nursery. The two primary modes of telemedicine practice are "store and forward" and "real-time" videoconferencing. A digital echocardiogram (often several one cardiac cycle loops) can be stored at one site and forwarded across a telemedicine network to a receiving station for review at a later time. Pediatric cardiologists often favor "real-time" telemedicine because of the ability to guide sonographers with limited experience in congenital heart disease. A complete telemedicine system requires a modified computer, a low- or high-speed connection, and telemedicine inputs. Several adult and pediatric clinical studies have shown telemedicine to be accurate and cost-effective, improve patient care, enhance echocardiogram quality and sonographer proficiency, and promote practice expansion. Obstacles to widespread implementation of telemedicine include lack of standardization of telemedicine components, confusing legal issues and licensure requirements, and poor reimbursement.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Sable
- Department of Cardiology, Children's National Medical Center, Washington, DC 20010, USA.
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Abstract
Pediatric cardiology consultation has been effectively delivered outside the tertiary care setting through the use of tele-echocardiography. This study examined the effectiveness of several tele-echocardiography connections and the satisfaction of the referring physicians using these services. Studies were transmitted via either a shared fiber-optic (DS3) connection (two sites), a dedicated fast-copper (ISDN-PRI) link, or by courier from a nearby (25-mile) or distant (170-mile) site. Time intervals between when echocardiograms were performed locally until they were received, interpreted, and reported were prospectively recorded. Referring physician satisfaction was assessed through a survey. The critical time between when a remote echocardiogram was performed and when its result was reported to the referring physician was primarily determined by the mode of transmission. The time interval between performing an echocardiogram and receiving the study was significantly longer for echocardiograms sent from the 170-mile courier site (2474 +/- 295 min) than either the 25-mile courier site (474 +/- 151 min), DS3 (374 +/- 121 min), or ISDN-PRI (129 +/- 16 min). Regardless of the method of transmission, all referring physicians felt that the service improved their ability to manage children, and they would recommend the service to their colleagues. Those using the courier service from the 25-mile away site were more concerned about the availability of a pediatric cardiologist and image quality, presumably due to the delay in response times. The time interval data provided in this study and the assessment of physician satisfaction provide important data as echocardiography laboratories implement tele-echocardiography services.
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Affiliation(s)
- A R Mehta
- Departments of Health Management and Policy, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
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Affiliation(s)
- D J Penny
- Cardiac Unit, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trust, Great Ormond Street, London WC1N 3JH, UK.
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41
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Abstract
Technology continues to advance at a pace that produces a new innovation daily. To move forward, clinicians must assess these potential technological solutions adequately for their clinical, financial, and customer satisfaction efficacies. Whether the payers, the patients, or health care will find these systems acceptable has yet to be established completely. The preliminary data in the literature seem to point to physicians' trepidations as the limiting factor. More work is needed on the legal and ethical issues surrounding telemedicine. Telemedicine is progressing quickly from a strange rare subtype of medicine into something that is part and parcel of the practice of medicine in general. Cardiology and intensivist practices have been impacted directly by this technology. As it matures it will be intertwined with daily practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Dorman
- Department of Anesthesiology/Critical Care Medicine, Surgery, Medicine and Nursing, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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Kangarloo H, Valdez JA, Yao L, Chen S, Curran J, Goldman D, Sinha U, Dionisio JD, Taira R, Sayre J, Seeger L, Johnson R, Barbaric Z, Steckel R. Improving the quality of care through routine teleradiology consultation. Acad Radiol 2000; 7:149-55. [PMID: 10730809 DOI: 10.1016/s1076-6332(00)80115-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES The hypotheses of this study were as follows: (a) University subspecialty radiologists can provide consultations effectively to general radiologists as part of routine clinical operations; (b) these consultations will improve the quality of the final radiologic report; and (c) the consultations will improve the care process and may save money, as well. MATERIALS AND METHODS For 2,012 consecutive computed tomographic or magnetic resonance (MR) imaging studies, the initial interpretations provided by radiology generalists were subsequently reviewed by specialists, with a final consensus report available. "Truth" was established by final consensus reports. To control for potential bias, 150 adult MR imaging and 250 pediatric radiologic studies were interpreted initially by specialists and then by generalists. Again, truth was established by final consensus reports. RESULTS There was disagreement between generalist and specialist radiologist interpretations in 427 (21.2%) of the cases reviewed. These disagreements were stratified further by independent specialists, who graded them as important, very important, or unimportant. Differences were considered important or very important in 99% of the cases reviewed. CONCLUSION Consultations by subspecialty radiologists improved the quality of the radiology reports studied and, at least in some cases, improved the process of care by eliminating unnecessary procedures or suggesting more specific follow-up examinations. The consultation services can be provided cost-effectively from the payer's perspective and may save additional costs when unnecessary procedures can be eliminated.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Kangarloo
- Department of Radiological Sciences, UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA 90024, USA
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