@article{641cac6e0e1d4cb8b71e285f97d3b499,
title = "Initial experiences and outcomes of telepresence in the management of trauma and emergency surgical patients",
abstract = "Background: Teletrauma programs allow rural patients access to advanced trauma and emergency medical services that are often limited to urban areas. Methods: A retrospective analysis of 59 teleconsults between 5 rural hospitals and a level I trauma center was performed. The objectives of this study were to report the initial experience with a telemedicine program connecting 5 rural hospitals with a level I trauma center. Results: A total of 59 trauma and general surgery patients were evaluated. Of those, 35 (59\%) were trauma patients, and 24 (41\%) were general surgery patients. Fifty patients (85\%) were from the first hospital at which teletrauma was established. For 6 patients, the teletrauma consults were considered potentially lifesaving; 17 patients (29\%) were kept in the rural hospitals (8 trauma and 9 general surgery patients). Treating patients in the rural hospitals avoided transfers, saving an average of \$19,698 per air transport or \$2,055 per ground transport. Conclusions: The telepresence of a trauma surgeon aids in the initial evaluation, treatment, and care of patients, improving outcomes and reducing the costs of trauma care.",
keywords = "Rural trauma, Telemedicine, Telepresence, Teletrauma",
author = "Rifat Latifi and Hadeed, \{George J.\} and Peter Rhee and Terrence O'Keeffe and Friese, \{Randall S.\} and Wynne, \{Julie L.\} and Ziemba, \{Michelle L.\} and Dan Judkins",
note = "Funding Information: The equipment (\$275,000 for all regional teletrauma sites and the UMC command and control center) was funded by a grant from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Arizona and the Universal Service Fund, a program designed to develop and advance the telecommunication infrastructure in rural areas. These grants covered the equipment and installation in each hospital at no cost to the hospital. Each hospital, however, was required to pay a \$5,000 annual membership to ATP that provides technical assistance and access to educational programming and other clinical telemedicine specialties that ATP offers. Maintenance of the telemedicine units was provided free of charge for 1 year by the vendor and cost approximately \$2,500 annually afterward for each site. The maintenance included replacement of all hardware and software components in the event of failure. There was no charge outside of the annual membership, maintenance, and Internet costs for the referring hospital, nor was there any charge to patients. ",
year = "2009",
month = dec,
doi = "10.1016/j.amjsurg.2009.08.011",
language = "English (US)",
volume = "198",
pages = "905--910",
journal = "American journal of surgery",
issn = "0002-9610",
publisher = "Elsevier Inc.",
number = "6",
}