Telemedicine in haemodialysis: a university department and two remote satellites linked together as one common workplace.
A common workplace was established between the renal unit at the University Hospital of North Norway and two satellite dialysis centres, in Alta and Hammerfest. A 2 Mbit/s ATM network was employed for IP-based videoconferencing. A common electronic medical record system and dialysis monitoring software were used. During an eight-month study period, nine patients were enrolled and 225 videoconferences were performed for daily visits and regular rounds. A bandwidth of 768 kbit/s was required for satisfactory teledialysis. Although technical (28%) and logistical problems (10%) were frequent, five hospitalizations and one-third of the planned visiting rounds were avoided. An economic analysis showed that annual savings amounted to US$46,613, while annual costs were US$79,489. Despite the technical difficulties in about 30% of conferences, the nurses were satisfied with the videoconferencing system. Digital X-rays were communicated without problems. The pilot study indicates that satellite units may be incorporated into the daily management at the central institution by telemedicine.
Rumpsfeld
Markus
M
Department of Nephrology, University Hospital of North Norway, Norway.
Arild
Eli
E
Norum
Jan
J
Breivik
Elin
E
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006782:Hospitals, Special / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods; D012984:Software; D017216:Telemedicine / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration*; D014573:Urology Department, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration; D049269:Videoconferencing / Q000191:economics / Q000295:instrumentation