2,000,000 Electrocardiograms by Distance: An Outstanding Achievement for Telehealth in Brazil.
Our aim is to describe the evolution of the telediagnostic service of the Telehealth Network of Minas Gerais (TNMG), a public telehealth service in Brazil. It started in 2006 with 82 cities, restricted to electrocardiography analysis. Currently it extends to 772 cities--performing also Holter, ambulatory blood pressure monitoring and retinography analysis--and 48 ambulances in the north of the state, as part of a myocardial infarction system of care. Using low-cost equipment and simple technology, TNMG has employed various strategies to increase telehealth use. The number of ECGs performed by TNMG has progressively increased. It was expected to achieve 2 million in February 2015. The utilization rates were around 90%. It proved to be economically sound, promoting savings of 45M USD for an investment of 10.2M USD. It is currently a regular health service in the state, integrated into the healthcare system. In conclusion, the telehealth model developed in Minas Gerais produced good clinical and economical results.
Telehealth Center, University Hospital, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais; Teleheatlh Network of Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Milena Soriano
MS
Marcolino
Telehealth Center, University Hospital, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais; Teleheatlh Network of Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Maria Beatriz Moreira
MB
Alkmim
Telehealth Center, University Hospital, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais; Teleheatlh Network of Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Leonardo
L
Bonisson
Telehealth Center, University Hospital, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais; Teleheatlh Network of Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Renato
R
Minelli Figueira
Telehealth Center, University Hospital, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais; Teleheatlh Network of Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Antonio Luiz
AL
Ribeiro
D001938:Brazil; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D004562:Electrocardiography / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D016730:Program Development; D017216:Telemedicine / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*