Transportation savings and medical benefits of a teleneuroradiological network

Since 1996, Turku University Central Hospital has offered teleradiology con sultations regarding computerized tomography examinations of the brain to t hree regional hospitals in Finland, in which neurosurgical or neuroradiolog ical specialist services are not available, in order to avoid unnecessary p atient transportation. We performed a retrospective survey of the teleconsu ltations performed in 1998. Medical records and the relevant radiology imag es were obtained. During the study period, teleconsultations were carried o ut for a total of 83 patients, of whom 16 were transported to the universit y hospital (i.e. 81% of these patients had avoided unnecessary transportati on). The total savings amounted to 42,100 ECU. Of the 16 transported patien ts, 12 were immediately operated on in the university hospital. It was judg ed that, because of the consultation service, the patients undergoing an op eration had benefited from a more rapid and a more complete recovery. In 19 98 the teleradiology consultation service was established as part of the ro utine work of the Medical Imaging Centre and a fee for its services was ado pted.