A retrospective review of telehealth services for children referred to a paediatric nephrologist

BMC Nephrology

Anthony C. Smith²  John R. Burke¹  Steven J. McTaggart¹  William D. Renton¹  Megan M. White³  Peter Trnka⁴ 

[1] Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia;Queensland Children’s Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia;Centre for Online Health, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia;Queensland Child and Adolescent Renal Service, Lady Cilento Children’s Hospital, 501 Stanley Street, South Brisbane 4101, Queensland, Australia

关键词: Cost savings;    Kidney disease;    Paediatric nephrology;    Telehealth;    Telemedicine;   

Others  :  1222299
DOI  :  10.1186/s12882-015-0127-0

 received in 2015-01-13, accepted in 2015-07-28,  发布年份 2015

【 摘 要 】

Background

Telemedicine has emerged as an alternative mode of health care delivery over the last decade. To date, there is very limited published information in the field of telehealth and paediatric nephrology. The aim of this study was to review our experience with paediatric telenephrology in Queensland, Australia.

Methods

A retrospective audit of paediatric nephrology telehealth consultations to determine the nature of the telehealth activity, reasons for referral to telehealth, and to compare costs and potential savings of the telehealth service.

Results

During a ten-year period (2004 – 2013), 318 paediatric telenephrology consultations occurred for 168 patients (95 male) with the median age of 8 years (range 3 weeks to 24 years). Congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (30 %), followed by nephrotic syndrome (16 %), kidney transplant (12 %), and urinary tract infection (9 %) were the most common diagnoses. The estimated cost savings associated with telehealth were $31,837 in 2013 (average saving of $505 per consultation).

Conclusions

Our study suggests that paediatric telenephrology is a viable and economic method for patient assessment and follow up. The benefits include improved access to paediatric nephrology services for patients and their families, educational opportunity for the regional medical teams, and a substantial cost saving for the health care system.

【 授权许可】

   
2015 Trnka et al.

【 图 表 】

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