Critical care clinics
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Critical care clinics · Apr 2015
ReviewOutcomes Related to Telemedicine in the Intensive Care Unit: What We Know and Would Like to Know.
Telemedicine has been increasingly used in the intensive care unit setting (Tele-ICU) for providing care. Given the shortage of qualified intensivists and critical care nurses in the United States and the ever-increasing demand for intensive care services, Tele-ICU has been proposed as a strategy to bridge this supply/demand gap. The Tele-ICU staffing model provides for many important outcome benefits that have been evaluated over the years by several studies. In this review, the authors summarize the existing evidence and identify areas where further evaluation is warranted.
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Critical care medicine is at a crossroads in which limited numbers of staff care for increasing numbers of patients as the population ages and use of ICUs increases. Also at this time health care spending must be curbed. ⋯ When implemented correctly and in the right populations this technology has improved outcomes. Future studies regarding implementation, organization, staffing, and innovation are needed to determine the optimal use of this critical care professional enhanced technology.
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For more than 20 years, a 100-year-old state-based system for medical licensure has not progressed commensurate with the level of 21st century technology development. Despite government and nongovernment organizational attempts, each state maintains a process of variable and time-consuming requirements with lack of reciprocity. Lack of available reimbursement for Tele-ICU physician services is thought to be a long-standing and significant barrier to the rapid adoption of Tele-ICU programs. By reviewing the reimbursement guidelines for telehealth services across all major patient financial classes, a model is discussed for developing financial projections to determine exactly what reimbursement is available for Tele-ICU programs.
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Critical care clinics · Apr 2015
ReviewOptions for Tele-Intensive Care Unit Design: Centralized Versus Decentralized and Other Considerations: It Is Not Just a "Another Black Sedan".
This article seeks assist physicians or administrators considering establishing a Tele-ICU. Owing to an apparent domination of the Tele-ICU field by a single vendor, some may believe that there is only one design option. In fact, there are many alternative design formats that do not require the consumer to possess high-level technical expertise. As when purchasing any major item, if the consumer can formulate basic concepts of design and research the various vendors, then the consumer can develop the Tele-ICU system best for their facility, finances, availability of staff, coverage model, and quality metric goals.
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Telemedicine was recognized in the 1970s as a legitimate entity for applying the use of modern information and communications technologies to the delivery of health services. Telecardiology is one of the fastest growing fields in telemedicine. ⋯ This article discusses current advancements, the scope of telemedicine in cardiology, and its application to the critically ill. The impact of telecardiology consultation continues to evolve and includes many promising applications with potential positive implications for admission rates, morbidity, and mortality.