OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility, accuracy and user acceptability of performing remote fetal echocardiograms (FEs). SETTING: A regional fetal cardiology unit and a district general hospital (DGH). DESIGN: A prospective study over 20 months. An initial FE was performed by a radiographer in the DGH (D1) followed by a second FE transmitted to the regional centre, in real time, via a telemedicine link with live guidance by a fetal cardiologist (D2). A FE was performed later at the regional centre (D3, reference standard). Structured questionnaires were employed to evaluate the technical quality of each tele-link and the radiographers' confidence at performing FE. RESULTS: 69 remote FEs were performed and showed 58 normal hearts and 11 with congenital heart disease (CHD). D2 was accurate in 97% of cases compared with D3 (κ score=0.89) indicating excellent agreement. All tele-links connected at first attempt with a mean study time = 13.9 min. Overall tele-link quality was rated highly (median=4/5). In 94% of tele-links, at least 11/12 components of the FE were confidently assessed. The mean composite radiographer's questionnaire score increased significantly during the study period (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: To date this is the largest study of its kind. CHD can be confidently diagnosed and excluded by remote FE. Radiographers report increased confidence and proficiency following involvement in real-time telemedicine. This application of telemedicine could improve access to fetal cardiology and support radiographers screening for CHD.
OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility, accuracy and user acceptability of performing remote fetal echocardiograms (FEs). SETTING: A regional fetal cardiology unit and a district general hospital (DGH). DESIGN: A prospective study over 20 months. An initial FE was performed by a radiographer in the DGH (D1) followed by a second FE transmitted to the regional centre, in real time, via a telemedicine link with live guidance by a fetal cardiologist (D2). A FE was performed later at the regional centre (D3, reference standard). Structured questionnaires were employed to evaluate the technical quality of each tele-link and the radiographers' confidence at performing FE. RESULTS: 69 remote FEs were performed and showed 58 normal hearts and 11 with congenital heart disease (CHD). D2 was accurate in 97% of cases compared with D3 (κ score=0.89) indicating excellent agreement. All tele-links connected at first attempt with a mean study time = 13.9 min. Overall tele-link quality was rated highly (median=4/5). In 94% of tele-links, at least 11/12 components of the FE were confidently assessed. The mean composite radiographer's questionnaire score increased significantly during the study period (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: To date this is the largest study of its kind. CHD can be confidently diagnosed and excluded by remote FE. Radiographers report increased confidence and proficiency following involvement in real-time telemedicine. This application of telemedicine could improve access to fetal cardiology and support radiographers screening for CHD.
Authors: Nelangi M Pinto; Kevin A Henry; William A Grobman; Amen Ness; Stephen Miller; Sarah Ellestad; Nina Gotteiner; Theresa Tacy; Guo Wei; L LuAnn Minich; Anita Y Kinney Journal: J Ultrasound Med Date: 2019-12-24 Impact factor: 2.153
Authors: Alejandro José Lopez-Magallon; Andrea Victoria Otero; Nils Welchering; Anderson Bermon; Victor Castillo; Álvaro Duran; Javier Castro; Ricardo Muñoz Journal: Telemed J E Health Date: 2015-03-19 Impact factor: 3.536
Authors: Linping Pian; Lawrence M Gillman; Paul B McBeth; Zhengwen Xiao; Chad G Ball; Michael Blaivas; Douglas R Hamilton; Andrew W Kirkpatrick Journal: Emerg Med Int Date: 2013-01-28 Impact factor: 1.112