Alberto Coustasse1, Stacie Deslich2, Deanna Bailey3, Alesia Hairston4, David Paul5. 1. Associate Professor of Management, Marketing, and Management Information Systems at Marshall University in Charleston, WV. coustassehen@marshall.edu. 2. Alumna of the Health Care Administration Program at Marshall University in Charleston, WV. sdeslich@gmail.com. 3. Alumna of the Health Care Administration Program at Marshall University in Charleston, WV. bailey360@marshall.edu. 4. Alumna of the Health Care Administration Program at Marshall University in Charleston, WV. hairston22@marshall.edu. 5. Associate Professor of Marketing and Health Care Management at the Leon Hess Business School at Monmouth University in West Long Beach, NJ. dpaul@monmouth.edu.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: A tele-intensive care unit (tele-ICU) uses telemedicine in an intensive care unit (ICU) setting, applying technology to provide care to critically ill patients by off-site clinical resources. The purpose of this review was to examine the implementation, adoption, and utilization of tele-ICU systems by hospitals to determine their efficiency and efficacy as identified by cost savings and patient outcomes. METHODS: This literature review examined a large number of studies of implementation of tele-ICU systems in hospitals. RESULTS: The evidence supporting cost savings was mixed. Implementation of a tele-ICU system was associated with cost savings, shorter lengths of stay, and decreased mortality. However, two studies suggested increased hospital cost after implementation of tele-ICUs is initially expensive but eventually results in cost savings and better clinical outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Intensivists working these systems are able to more effectively treat ICU patients, providing better clinical outcomes for patients at lower costs compared with hospitals without a tele-ICU.
OBJECTIVES: A tele-intensive care unit (tele-ICU) uses telemedicine in an intensive care unit (ICU) setting, applying technology to provide care to critically illpatients by off-site clinical resources. The purpose of this review was to examine the implementation, adoption, and utilization of tele-ICU systems by hospitals to determine their efficiency and efficacy as identified by cost savings and patient outcomes. METHODS: This literature review examined a large number of studies of implementation of tele-ICU systems in hospitals. RESULTS: The evidence supporting cost savings was mixed. Implementation of a tele-ICU system was associated with cost savings, shorter lengths of stay, and decreased mortality. However, two studies suggested increased hospital cost after implementation of tele-ICUs is initially expensive but eventually results in cost savings and better clinical outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Intensivists working these systems are able to more effectively treat ICU patients, providing better clinical outcomes for patients at lower costs compared with hospitals without a tele-ICU.
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