BACKGROUND: Teletrauma programs allow rural patients access to advanced trauma and emergency medical services that are often limited to urban areas. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 59 teleconsults between 5 rural hospitals and a level I trauma center was performed. The objectives of this study were to report the initial experience with a telemedicine program connecting 5 rural hospitals with a level I trauma center. RESULTS: A total of 59 trauma and general surgery patients were evaluated. Of those, 35 (59%) were trauma patients, and 24 (41%) were general surgery patients. Fifty patients (85%) were from the first hospital at which teletrauma was established. For 6 patients, the teletrauma consults were considered potentially lifesaving; 17 patients (29%) were kept in the rural hospitals (8 trauma and 9 general surgery patients). Treating patients in the rural hospitals avoided transfers, saving an average of $19,698 per air transport or $2,055 per ground transport. CONCLUSIONS: The telepresence of a trauma surgeon aids in the initial evaluation, treatment, and care of patients, improving outcomes and reducing the costs of trauma care.
BACKGROUND: Teletrauma programs allow rural patients access to advanced trauma and emergency medical services that are often limited to urban areas. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 59 teleconsults between 5 rural hospitals and a level I trauma center was performed. The objectives of this study were to report the initial experience with a telemedicine program connecting 5 rural hospitals with a level I trauma center. RESULTS: A total of 59 trauma and general surgery patients were evaluated. Of those, 35 (59%) were traumapatients, and 24 (41%) were general surgery patients. Fifty patients (85%) were from the first hospital at which teletrauma was established. For 6 patients, the teletrauma consults were considered potentially lifesaving; 17 patients (29%) were kept in the rural hospitals (8 trauma and 9 general surgery patients). Treating patients in the rural hospitals avoided transfers, saving an average of $19,698 per air transport or $2,055 per ground transport. CONCLUSIONS: The telepresence of a trauma surgeon aids in the initial evaluation, treatment, and care of patients, improving outcomes and reducing the costs of trauma care.
Authors: Lynne Moore; Howard Champion; Pier-Alexandre Tardif; Brice-Lionel Kuimi; Gerard O'Reilly; Ari Leppaniemi; Peter Cameron; Cameron S Palmer; Fikri M Abu-Zidan; Belinda Gabbe; Christine Gaarder; Natalie Yanchar; Henry Thomas Stelfox; Raul Coimbra; John Kortbeek; Vanessa K Noonan; Amy Gunning; Malcolm Gordon; Monty Khajanchi; Teegwendé V Porgo; Alexis F Turgeon; Luke Leenen Journal: World J Surg Date: 2018-05 Impact factor: 3.352
Authors: Jane Turner; Malcolm Clarke; Grizelda George; Russell Wynn Jones; Rick Pullinger; Rajesh Kharbanda; James Kennedy; Linda Hands Journal: Interact J Med Res Date: 2022-09-15
Authors: Antonio C Marttos; Fernanda M Kuchkarian; Phillipe Abreu-Reis; Bruno Mt Pereira; Francisco S Collet-Silva; Gustavo P Fraga Journal: World J Emerg Surg Date: 2012-08-22 Impact factor: 5.469