Telemedicine for genetic and neurologic evaluation in the neonatal intensive care unit.

Publication/Presentation Date

3-1-2014

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate whether telemedicine can be used to perform dysmorphology and neurologic examinations in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) by determining the examination accuracy, limitations and optimized procedures.

STUDY DESIGN: Prospective evaluation of NICU patients referred for subspecialty consultation for dysmorphic features (n=10) or encephalopathy (n=10). A physician at bedside (bedside clinician) performed an in-person examination that was viewed in real time by a remote physician (remote consultant). Standardized examinations were recorded and compared. Subsequently, a qualitative approach established technique adjustments and optimization procedures necessary to improve visualization.

RESULT: Telemedicine examinations identified 81 of 87 (93%) dysmorphology examination abnormalities and 37 of 39 (92%) neurologic examination abnormalities. Optimization of remote consultant visualization required an active bedside clinician assisting in camera and patient adjustments.

CONCLUSION: Telemedicine can be used to perform accurately many components of the dysmorphology or neurologic examinations in NICU patients, but physicians must be mindful of specific limitations.

Volume

34

Issue

3

First Page

234

Last Page

240

ISSN

1476-5543

Disciplines

Medicine and Health Sciences | Pediatrics

PubMedID

24406740

Department(s)

Department of Pediatrics

Document Type

Article

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