Initial experiences and outcomes of telepresence in the management of trauma and emergency surgical patients.
BACKGROUND
Teletrauma programs allow rural patients access to advanced trauma and emergency medical services that are often limited to urban areas.


METHODS
A retrospective analysis of 59 teleconsults between 5 rural hospitals and a level I trauma center was performed. The objectives of this study were to report the initial experience with a telemedicine program connecting 5 rural hospitals with a level I trauma center.


RESULTS
A total of 59 trauma and general surgery patients were evaluated. Of those, 35 (59%) were trauma patients, and 24 (41%) were general surgery patients. Fifty patients (85%) were from the first hospital at which teletrauma was established. For 6 patients, the teletrauma consults were considered potentially lifesaving; 17 patients (29%) were kept in the rural hospitals (8 trauma and 9 general surgery patients). Treating patients in the rural hospitals avoided transfers, saving an average of $19,698 per air transport or $2,055 per ground transport.


CONCLUSIONS
The telepresence of a trauma surgeon aids in the initial evaluation, treatment, and care of patients, improving outcomes and reducing the costs of trauma care.
Latifi
Rifat
R
Department of Surgery, Division of Trauma, Critical Care & Emergency Surgery, University of Arizona, Arizona Health Sciences Center, Tucson, AZ, USA. rlatifi@surgery.arizona.edu
Hadeed
George J
GJ
Rhee
Peter
P
O'Keeffe
Terrence
T
Friese
Randall S
RS
Wynne
Julie L
JL
Ziemba
Michelle L
ML
Judkins
Dan
D
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004638:Emergency Treatment; D013502:General Surgery; D006780:Hospitals, Rural; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017216:Telemedicine; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D055815:Young Adult