1. Telemedicine in a Dutch intensive care unit: A descriptive study of the first results.
- Author
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van der Voort PH, de Metz J, Wester JP, van Stijn I, Feijen HM, Balzereit A, Rijkenberg S, Obster R, and Bosman RJ
- Subjects
- Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Critical Care standards, Family psychology, Female, Hospital Mortality, Humans, Intensive Care Units statistics & numerical data, Length of Stay statistics & numerical data, Male, Middle Aged, Netherlands, Patient Satisfaction, Retrospective Studies, Critical Care methods, Quality of Health Care standards, Telemedicine instrumentation, Telemedicine methods, Telemedicine standards
- Abstract
Introduction: Tele-intensive care (teleIC) can be used to increase the level of care in the intensive care unit (ICU) with the tele-intensivist being at a remote site. In this study we describe the implementation and outcomes, including patient and family satisfaction, of the first Dutch teleIC., Methods: In a retrospective analysis the patient characteristics are described with a focus on patient outcomes and patient and family satisfaction. The teleIC started on 6 December 2010 in an ICU with three beds. Data for all admitted patients were collected from 1 January 2011 through 31 December 2013 from available systems. Severity of disease (APACHE IV) and standardized mortality ratios (SMR) were available over the complete calendar years 2012 and 2013. A prospective self-made survey of patient and family satisfaction was performed over a 14-month period after the implementation of teleIC., Results: In 2012 and 2013, 556 patients were admitted. The number of operating room recovery patients in the ICU declined over time. One hundred and seven patients were transferred to a higher-level ICU (19%). The SMR for non-transferred patients was 0.73 (95% CI (confidence interval) 0.54-0.98) and 0.66 (95% CI (confidence interval) 0.40-1.02) for transferred patients. These numbers are in line with national data. Thirty-six percent of family and 38% of the patients responded to the survey and showed a positive response concerning communication within the tele IC setting., Conclusion: Implementation of teleIC in a Dutch situation was successful and showed favourable results in patient outcomes and the satisfaction of patients and family members., (© The Author(s) 2015.)
- Published
- 2016
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