title: A business case for tele-intensive care units.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  A tele-intensive care unit (tele-ICU) uses telemedicine in an intensive care unit (ICU) setting, applying technology to provide care to critically ill patients by off-site clinical resources. The purpose of this review was to examine the implementation, adoption, and utilization of tele-ICU systems by hospitals to determine their efficiency and efficacy as identified by cost savings and patient outcomes.
  
  
  METHODS
  This literature review examined a large number of studies of implementation of tele-ICU systems in hospitals.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The evidence supporting cost savings was mixed. Implementation of a tele-ICU system was associated with cost savings, shorter lengths of stay, and decreased mortality. However, two studies suggested increased hospital cost after implementation of tele-ICUs is initially expensive but eventually results in cost savings and better clinical outcomes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Intensivists working these systems are able to more effectively treat ICU patients, providing better clinical outcomes for patients at lower costs compared with hospitals without a tele-ICU.
authors: Associate Professor of Management, Marketing, and Management Information Systems at Marshall University in Charleston, WV. coustassehen@marshall.edu.
authors: Alberto
authors: A
authors: Coustasse
authors: Alumna of the Health Care Administration Program at Marshall University in Charleston, WV. sdeslich@gmail.com.
authors: Stacie
authors: S
authors: Deslich
authors: Alumna of the Health Care Administration Program at Marshall University in Charleston, WV. bailey360@marshall.edu.
authors: Deanna
authors: D
authors: Bailey
authors: Alumna of the Health Care Administration Program at Marshall University in Charleston, WV. hairston22@marshall.edu.
authors: Alesia
authors: A
authors: Hairston
authors: Associate Professor of Marketing and Health Care Management at the Leon Hess Business School at Monmouth University in West Long Beach, NJ. dpaul@monmouth.edu.
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Paul
mesh_terms: D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D004059:Diffusion of Innovation; D007362:Intensive Care Units / Q000458:organization & administration*; D016730:Program Development; D017216:Telemedicine / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration