EVALUATION OF TELEMEDICAL SUPPORT TO A FREESTANDING MINOR ACCIDENT AND TREATMENT SERVICE

We studied all patients attending a free-standing minor accident and t reatment service (MATS) run by emergency nurse practitioners (ENPs). I n a six-month period, 5563 patients were seen in the MATS, of whom 284 3 (51%) were new attenders. A teleconsultation was carried out with 15 0 of these patients (2.7% of all cases). The most common reason (39%) was to discuss a radiograph with an accident and emergency consultant. The accuracy of the telemedicine-assisted radiographic diagnosis was checked subsequently by a review panel. The ENPs' working diagnoses (m ade by viewing the films) had a sensitivity of 90% and a specificity o f 96%; this was improved by telemedicine assistance to 97% and 99%, re spectively. The telemedicine patients were also surveyed several month s after being seen in the MATS; their replies indicated that the telem edicine diagnoses had been correct.