Tele-echocardiography in neonates: utility and benefits in South Dakota primary care hospitals.
BACKGROUND
Live transmission of echocardiography can provide a rapid and accurate diagnosis in identifying neonates who need emergent transfer to a tertiary care center. This prevents a delay in management and/or unnecessary transport.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to review the utility, accuracy, and benefits of tele-echocardiography in primary care hospitals in South Dakota to assess neonates with suspected congenital heart disease.


METHODS
Two primary care hospitals established a telemedicine link to our tertiary care center. A pediatric cardiologist interpreted neonatal tele-echocardiograms and results with recommendations were immediately communicated to the attending physicians.


RESULTS
Seventy-six neonatal studies were performed over 30 months, 72 at the primary care sites and 4 at the tertiary care center. Cardiac diagnosis was identified in 30 patients (40%). Neonatal transport was deemed necessary in 8 patients (11%), 5 with major cardiovascular disease and 3 with persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn. Two pre-term infants at the tertiary center were diagnosed with patent ductus arteriosus and required medical intervention.


CONCLUSIONS
Tele-echocardiography accurately distinguished neonates who required tertiary cardiac care from those with less critical cardiac disease fostering prompt diagnosis and appropriate care while subjecting a minimal number of patients to costly emergency transport.
Awadallah
Sami
S
Pediatric Cardiology, Avera Children's McKennan Hospital, Sioux Falls, SD, USA.
Halaweish
Ihab
I
Kutayli
Farid
F
D003695:Delivery of Health Care; D004452:Echocardiography / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006764:Hospitals, Community; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008507:Medically Underserved Area; D015997:Neonatal Screening; D010360:Patient Transfer; D010547:Persistent Fetal Circulation Syndrome / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013023:South Dakota; D017216:Telemedicine / Q000706:statistics & numerical data