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The Implementation of an Emergency Medicine Telehealth System During a Pandemic.
Tresenriter, Megan; Holdaway, Jessica; Killeen, James; Chan, Ted; Dameff, Christian.
  • Tresenriter M; Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, California.
  • Holdaway J; Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, California.
  • Killeen J; Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, California.
  • Chan T; Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, California.
  • Dameff C; Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, California; Department of Biomedical Informatics, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, California; Department of Computer Science and Engineering, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, California.
J Emerg Med ; 60(4): 548-553, 2021 04.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1013863
ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:

In March of 2020, the World Health Organization declared coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-a disease caused by a novel coronavirus-a pandemic, and it continued to spread rapidly in the community. Our institution implemented an emergency medicine telehealth system that sought to expedite care of stable patients, decrease provider exposure to COVID-19, decrease overall usage rate of personal protective equipment, and provide a platform so that infected or quarantined physicians could continue to work. This effort was among the first to use telehealth to practice emergency medicine in the setting of a pandemic in the United States.

DISCUSSION:

Outside the main emergency departments at each of 2 sites of our academic institution, disaster tents were erected with patient care equipment and medications, as well as technology to allow for telehealth visits. The triage system was modified to appropriately select low-risk patients with symptoms suggestive of COVID-19 who could be seen in these disaster tents. Despite some issues that needed to be addressed, such as provider discomfort, limited medication availability, and connectivity problems, the model was successful overall.

CONCLUSIONS:

Other emergency departments might find this proof of concept article useful. Telehealth will likely be used more broadly in the future, including emergency care. It is imperative that the health care system continues to adapt to respond appropriately to challenges such as pandemics.
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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Telemedicine / Emergency Medicine / Pandemics / COVID-19 Type of study: Observational study / Prognostic study Limits: Aged / Female / Humans / Pregnancy Country/Region as subject: North America Language: English Journal: J Emerg Med Journal subject: Emergency Medicine Year: 2021 Document Type: Article

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Telemedicine / Emergency Medicine / Pandemics / COVID-19 Type of study: Observational study / Prognostic study Limits: Aged / Female / Humans / Pregnancy Country/Region as subject: North America Language: English Journal: J Emerg Med Journal subject: Emergency Medicine Year: 2021 Document Type: Article