Nabil Natafgi1,2, Nicholas M Mohr3, Amy Wittrock4, Amanda Bell4, Marcia M Ward1. 1. Department of Health Management and Policy, University of Iowa College of Public Health, Iowa City, Iowa. 2. Department of Pharmaceutical Health Services Research, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, Baltimore, Maryland. 3. Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa. 4. Avera eCARE, Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To study the relationship between the availability and activation of emergency department-based telemedicine (teleED) and patient disposition in Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs). METHODS: A non randomized stepped wedge design examined 133,396 ED visits in 15 CAHs that subscribe to a single teleED provider. Data were available for at least 12 months prior to teleED implementation and at least 12 months of post-implementation. Primary analyses were conducted using multinomial logistic regression models with teleED availability (indicator of post-teleED implementation period) and activation (indicator of utilization of teleED service) predicting discharge disposition adjusting for age, sex, and clinical diagnosis. RESULTS: Patients for whom teleED was activated were more likely to be transferred [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 12.04; 95% confidence interval (CI), 10.97-13.21] and more likely to be admitted to the local hospital (aOR = 3.23; 95% CI, 2.84-3.67) than to be routinely discharged. This pattern was confirmed for patients presenting with chest pain, mental illness, and injury/poisoning. However, in the period following teleED implementation, patients presenting to EDs after telemedicine was available, but not necessarily utilized, were less likely to be admitted to the local hospital (aOR = 0.79; 95% CI, 0.76-0.82) than to be routinely discharged. CONCLUSIONS: Telemedicine availability in CAH EDs is associated with a higher likelihood of routine discharges from the ED possibly due to changes in care associated with teleED implementation. The relationship between teleED use and disposition may be related to selection in activating teleED for cases more likely to require hospital inpatient care.
PURPOSE: To study the relationship between the availability and activation of emergency department-based telemedicine (teleED) and patient disposition in Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs). METHODS: A non randomized stepped wedge design examined 133,396 ED visits in 15 CAHs that subscribe to a single teleED provider. Data were available for at least 12 months prior to teleED implementation and at least 12 months of post-implementation. Primary analyses were conducted using multinomial logistic regression models with teleED availability (indicator of post-teleED implementation period) and activation (indicator of utilization of teleED service) predicting discharge disposition adjusting for age, sex, and clinical diagnosis. RESULTS:Patients for whom teleED was activated were more likely to be transferred [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 12.04; 95% confidence interval (CI), 10.97-13.21] and more likely to be admitted to the local hospital (aOR = 3.23; 95% CI, 2.84-3.67) than to be routinely discharged. This pattern was confirmed for patients presenting with chest pain, mental illness, and injury/poisoning. However, in the period following teleED implementation, patients presenting to EDs after telemedicine was available, but not necessarily utilized, were less likely to be admitted to the local hospital (aOR = 0.79; 95% CI, 0.76-0.82) than to be routinely discharged. CONCLUSIONS: Telemedicine availability in CAH EDs is associated with a higher likelihood of routine discharges from the ED possibly due to changes in care associated with teleED implementation. The relationship between teleED use and disposition may be related to selection in activating teleED for cases more likely to require hospital inpatient care.
Authors: Jayamalathi Priyanka Vakkalanka; Karisa K Harland; Amy Wittrock; Margaret Schmidt; Luke Mack; Matthew Nipe; Elaine Himadi; Marcia M Ward; Nicholas M Mohr Journal: J Epidemiol Community Health Date: 2019-09-06 Impact factor: 3.710
Authors: Dunc Williams; Annie N Simpson; Kathryn King; Ryan D Kruis; Dee W Ford; Sarah A Sterling; Alexandra Castillo; Cory O Robinson; Kit N Simpson; Richard L Summers Journal: Telemed J E Health Date: 2020-11-13 Impact factor: 5.033