title: Initial experiences and outcomes of telepresence in the management of trauma and emergency surgical patients.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Division of Trauma, Critical Care & Emergency Surgery, University of Arizona, Arizona Health Sciences Center, Tucson, AZ, USA. rlatifi@surgery.arizona.edu
authors.forename: Rifat
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Latifi
authors.forename: George J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Hadeed
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rhee
authors.forename: Terrence
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: O'Keeffe
authors.forename: Randall S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Friese
authors.forename: Julie L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Wynne
authors.forename: Michelle L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Ziemba
authors.forename: Dan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Judkins
mesh_terms: 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