title: The effect of a neonatal telecardiology system on respiratory therapy in very low birthweight infants.
abstract: Factors in the U.S. healthcare system have shifted the site of care of many newborns to hospitals where subspecialty services are unavailable. This study examines whether a more rapid turn-around of echocardiogram interpretations and availability of interactive video during neonatal consultations reduces the morbidity of very low birthweight (VLBW) infants. The two groups (n = 21 and n = 28) were similar on the basis of known risk factors. A composite index of respiratory therapy intensivity and duration was used to measure the utilization of respiratory therapies. The index was similar in both groups, 89.6 +/- 12.6 before versus 89.5 +/- 13.0 with telemedicine. These results show little evidence of a reduction in RT utilization.
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA.
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Rendina
authors.forename: C L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Bose
authors.forename: K J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Gallaher
authors.forename: W A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Long
authors.forename: T A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Ciszek
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Baush
authors.forename: W W
authors.initials: WW
authors.lastname: Lowe
mesh_terms: D002309:Cardiology; D004374:Ductus Arteriosus, Patent / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D004452:Echocardiography; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D019102:Infant, Very Low Birth Weight; D008297:Male; D010372:Pediatrics; D019114:Remote Consultation; D012138:Respiratory Therapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012189:Retrospective Studies