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Pediatric Strategic Telemedicine Response Before and After the Primary COVID-19 Surge: Lessons Learned
Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery ; 167(1 Supplement):P162-P163, 2022.
Article in English | EMBASE | ID: covidwho-2064401
ABSTRACT

Introduction:

The year 2020 brought unparalleled challenges for maintaining safe access to pediatric care with a rapid expansion of existing telemedicine infrastructure, while allowing for cross-leveraging capacity for emergency and inpatient care of COVID-19 patients. Method(s) We examined telemedicine encounters across multiple specialties during fiscal years (FYs) 2019-2021, encompassing before and after the primary COVID-19 surge, as well as the infrastructure and processes created. Included in this analysis were age, gender, preferred language, zip code of residence, and primary insurance plan. Result(s) Telemedicine visits institution-wide increased from 220 in FY 2019 to 94,057 in FY 2021, representing an increase of 0.05% to 19.9% of total visits. Notably, total penetration of primarily Spanish-language telemedicine visits increased from 6.4% to 14.8% from FY 2020 to FY 2021. During that same time frame, our pediatric otolaryngology practice demonstrated a reduction of overall telemedicine visits (8% to 5.8%) in favor of a return to brick-and-mortar visits;this trend varied across numerous medical and surgical specialties, influenced by ability to optimally render diagnostic and treatment capabilities virtually. Conclusion(s) The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated technologic and process innovation to preserve care to our vulnerable pediatric population and created sustainable infrastructure for future postpandemic patient care. Barriers to telemedical care include clinical diagnostic limitations, low socioeconomic status with limited smartphone and broadband access, as well as nonprimarily English-speaking patients. Our institution rapidly scaled telemedicine access across the sociodemographic spectrum through the COVID-19 pandemic and is working across specialties to maintain and increase access to those within our diverse Southern California community, as well as in service to our international and rural families.
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Full text: Available Collection: Databases of international organizations Database: EMBASE Type of study: Experimental Studies Language: English Journal: Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery Year: 2022 Document Type: Article

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Full text: Available Collection: Databases of international organizations Database: EMBASE Type of study: Experimental Studies Language: English Journal: Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery Year: 2022 Document Type: Article