Evaluation of telemedical orthopaedic specialty support to a minor accident and treatment service.

Over three and a half years there were 200 teleconsultations between emergency nurse practitioners at a minor accident and treatment service and the orthopaedic service of a main hospital. The main problems were fractures (93% of cases). The reasons for consultation fell almost equally into four groups: request for direct ward admission; discussion and decision about treatment; decision about the disposition of a case; and diagnosis. The technical quality of the majority of teleconsultations was considered satisfactory. Following the teleconsultation, 39% of patients were admitted to hospital, 6% were transferred to the accident and emergency department for a face-to-face consultation, and 56% were discharged and referred to a review clinic. Of the 200 cases, 193 needed teleradiology and the nurse practitioners and the orthopaedic registrars diagnosed all these cases correctly, as judged by the subsequent radiologist's report. Teleconsultations save time and prevent the unnecessary transfer of patients to main hospitals.