Towards a comprehensive telecardiology monitoring centre for community-based services.
In a pilot study of primary-care telecardiology, 2563 consultations were carried out over 18 months. Following teleconsultation, 2076 patients (81%) were found to be suitable for management entirely by the general practitioner, without the need for referral to hospital. The system identified 487 patients (19%) with cardiac problems who required either admission to hospital or outpatient assessment. There was a resultant saving of referrals to hospital accident and emergency departments. Extension of the telecardiology service to include tele-echocardiography may result in faster access to diagnosis and better management of patients in heart failure, improving patients' quality of life and reducing hospitalization.
Shanit
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Cardiovascular Research Unit, Edgware General Hospital, London, UK. 100723.1517@compuserve.com
Greenbaum
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D002309:Cardiology / Q000379:methods*; D003153:Community Health Services / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007557:Israel; D010865:Pilot Projects; D017216:Telemedicine / Q000379:methods*