Implementation of a Pediatric Emergency Telemedicine Program

Abstract

Objectives Our goal was to describe the experiences after the launch of a pediatric emergency telemedicine program at a large, urban, academic medical center. Methods We launched 3 unique pediatric emergency telemedicine programs at an urban, academic medical center: direct-to-consumer pediatric virtual urgent care, pediatric emergency department (PED) telemedicine follow-up, and telemedicine medical screening examination in the PED. Results We evaluated 84 patients via direct-to-consumer pediatric virtual urgent care with the most common chief complaint related to fever, dermatologic, or respiratory systems; we referred 12% to the PED, and 20% of those required hospital admission. We evaluated 38 patients via PED telemedicine follow-up; we referred 19% back to the PED, and 43% of those required hospital admission. Median duration for a telemedicine encounter was 10 minutes. We screened 3809 patients in the PED using telemedicine medical screening examination. Conclusions We offer a description of an innovative and comprehensive new pediatric emergency telemedicine program implemented at a large, urban, academic medical center. Our initial findings demonstrate short visit times, antibiotic stewardship, and low rates of PED referral and subsequent admission for patients who use a telemedicine service. We plan to further examine the impact of pediatric emergency telemedicine on the care of children as our program expands.

Fast, cheap and feasible: Implementation of pediatric telemedicine in a public hospital during the Covid-19 pandemic

“…Telemedicine is becoming part of medical services as the result of the growth in technology and communication. [3] Although regulation surrounding telemedicine in Brazil is still restricted to the timeframe of the pandemic, [8] there is a strong movement from the medical population to extend this regulation.…”

“…[ 1 , 2 , 4 ] Benefits include a possibility of remote diagnosis, the ability to monitor patients with chronic diseases[5] and provision of emergency care. [ 1 , 3 , 4 ] Also contributes towards reducing the number of visits to the hospital, stress due to commuting to the hospital, and hospital-related stress. [ 1 , 3 , 4 ] In addition, telemedicine reduces school and work absenteeism for patients and guardians.…”

“…[ 1 , 3 , 4 ] Also contributes towards reducing the number of visits to the hospital, stress due to commuting to the hospital, and hospital-related stress. [ 1 , 3 , 4 ] In addition, telemedicine reduces school and work absenteeism for patients and guardians. Telehealth can promote a cost reduction and allocate resources to improve the quality of patient care.…”

“…Telehealth can promote a cost reduction and allocate resources to improve the quality of patient care. [ 1 , 3 , 4 ]…”

Utilizing Telemedicine in a Novel Approach to COVID-19 Management and Patient Experience in the Emergency Department

“…NYP/LMH is a 180-bed urban community hospital and certified stroke center in southern Manhattan, which sees *50,000 ED visits annually. 20 Both locations had a strong ED telemedicine infrastructure predating the COVID-19 crisis, including teleconsults (for specialties such as otorhinolaryngology, neurology, psychiatry, and stroke/ vascular), direct-to-consumer virtual urgent care, 21,22 and the ED-based Express Care digital service initiated in 2016. 23 A smaller scale teleisolation initiative using a single telemedicine cart was also conducted in response to Ebola virus disease.…”