A case study: telemedicine technology and peritoneal dialysis in children.
We investigated the feasibility and effectiveness of a telemedicine system for monitoring pediatric patients undergoing automated peritoneal dialysis (APD) at home. The system uses modem-based communication between the patient's cycler and a computer in the dialysis unit, which allows data transmission and storage, and live patient-physician interaction by ISDN lines, modem, microphone with stereo speakers, and digital cameras for private video-conferencing and image capture. Two children aged 10 and 12 years, who live 1500 and 40 km from the dialysis unit, respectively, have been using the system for 7 months. All of the APD treatment data were stored and examined; 122 televisits were performed. The APD data show that both patients have complied with their dialysis prescription. The telemedicine system broadens patient/physician interchange and increases the quality of care and the life of children on peritoneal dialysis.
Ghio
Luciana
L
Dialysis Unit, G e D De Marchi Pediatric Clinic, Azienda Ospedaliera ICP, Milan, Italy.
Boccola
Salvatore
S
Andronio
Laura
L
Adami
Daniele
D
Paglialonga
Fabio
F
Ardissino
Gianluigi
G
Edefonti
Alberto
A
D002648:Child; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006437:Hemodialysis, Home / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D010530:Peritoneal Dialysis / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D017216:Telemedicine / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D013686:Telemetry / Q000295:instrumentation*