Bryant AD, Robinson TJ, Gutierrez-Perez JT, Manning BL, Glenn K, Imborek KL, Kuperman EF. Outcomes of a home telemonitoring program for SARS-CoV-2 viral infection at a large academic medical center.
J Telemed Telecare 2024;
30:675-680. [PMID:
35275502 PMCID:
PMC8919094 DOI:
10.1177/1357633x221086067]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION
Telemedicine serves as a viable option during the COVID-19 pandemic to provide in-home care, maintain home isolation precautions, reduce unnecessary healthcare exposures, and de-burden hospitals.
METHODS
We created a novel telemedicine program to closely monitor patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) at home. Adult patients with COVID-19 were enrolled in the program at the time of documented infection. Patients were followed by a team of providers via telephone or video visits at frequent intervals until resolution of their acute illness. Additionally, patients were stratified into high-risk and low-risk categories based on demographics and underlying comorbidities. The primary outcome was hospitalization after enrollment in the home monitoring program, including 30 days after discharge from the program.
RESULTS
Over a 3.5-month period, 1128 patients met criteria for enrollment in the home monitoring program. 30.7% were risk stratified as high risk for poor outcomes based on their comorbidities and age. Of the 1128 patients, 6.2% required hospitalization and 1.2% required ICU admission during the outcome period. Hospitalization was more frequent in patients identified as high risk (14.2% vs 2.7%, P < 0.001).
DISCUSSION
Enrollment in a home monitoring program appears to be an effective and sustainable modality for the ambulatory management of COVID-19.
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