Implantação de um sistema de telecardiologia em Minas Gerais: projeto Minas Telecardio

Abstract

Background: Although cardiovascular diseases are the main cause of morbimortality in Brazil, the access of small-town populations to electrocardiography and cardiology assessment is limited. The use of telecardiology to assist the access of distant towns to electrocardiography and a second opinion in cardiology is promising; however, it has not been formally assessed.

Prevalence of normal electrocardiograms in primary care patients

“…1 The progressive development of electrocardiographic recording and transmission equipment, incorporating miniaturized and resistant electronic circuits, has led to the development of digital ECG that once connected to the internet, enables the transmission of the signal in real time for remote analysis. 2 The Telehealth Network of Minas Gerais (TNMG) is a public telemedicine service that serves more than 850 primary care units in 662 municipalities in Minas Gerais, Brazil, covering 47.2% of the state population, approximately 9,265,820 inhabitants.…”

“…There are benefits such as reducing the number of referrals and identifying patients who need urgent care. 1,3,4 This service is fully integrated into the health system of all municipalities and is very successful, having performed over 1,700,000 ECG reports, which currently corresponds to an average of 1,700 exams per day. Given the large number of tests performed, the analysis of ECGs can allow the knowledge of the proportion of normal and abnormal ECGs in primary care patients.…”

Improving patient access to specialized health care: the Telehealth Network of Minas Gerais, Brazil

“…Lessons from the field 6 specifically on teleelectrocardiography (i.e. the use of the internet to send electrocardiograms [EKGs] from remote areas to university hospitals for interpretation).…”

“…the use of the internet to send electrocardiograms [EKGs] from remote areas to university hospitals for interpretation). The project proved feasible and financially sound [6][7][8] and satisfaction among physicians working in remote locations increased markedly. 9,10 After 2007, the Telehealth Network of Minas Gerais began providing teleconsultations also.…”

Análise da implantação do Programa Telessaúde Brasil em Pernambuco, Brasil: estudo de casos

“…Esses serviços contribuem para reduzir os encaminhamentos desnecessários, ao melhorar a adequação dos cuidados primários providos por médicos generalistas e a integração com o nível secundário, além de promover a educação continuada para os profissionais de saúde 26,27 . No Brasil, há experiências como a telecardiologia, em apoio à atenção primária, subsidiando o diagnóstico precoce, a discussão de casos clínicos e a educação permanente 28 , sendo reconhecida como uma intervenção custo-efetiva para o SUS 29 .…”