EARLY EXPERIENCE USING TELEMEDICINE FOR NEONATAL SURGICAL CONSULTATIONS

Background/Purpose: Telemedicine affords the opportunity to extend the presence of surgical evaluation to centers without an on-site pediatr ic surgeon. However, concern for cost, accuracy of diagnosis, and phys ician acceptance have limited its use. Methods: Using a low-cost, desk top computer-based system, this study was designed to test the effecti veness of telemedicine in neonatal surgical consultation. Results: Ear ly experience with six video-teleconference (VTC) and six store-and-fo rward consultations are presented. Diagnosis was established accuratel y in all cases. With the three intestinal cases (jejunal atresia, dupl ication cyst, and r/o malrotation), diagnostic studies were guided by the images transmitted with the consult. Earlier care could be impleme nted in other cases. Technical problems were encountered primarily wit h the VTC modality, which also proved more consuming of physician time . Conclusions: Telemedicine was used successfully in each case and pro ved accurate in diagnosis and guiding further evaluation. This is the first report of the use of telemedicine for surgical consultation in t he intensive care nursery.