Malasanos T et al. 2005 "Improved access to subspecialist diabetes care by telemedicine: cost savings and care measures in the first two years of the FITE diabetes project."
Reference
Malasanos TH, Burlingame JB, Youngblade L, et al. Improved access to subspecialist diabetes care by telemedicine: cost savings and care measures in the first two years of the FITE diabetes project. J Telemed Telecare 2005;11 Suppl 1:74-76.
Abstract
"We have used telemedicine clinics supplemented by online education to provide effective care for children with diabetes. Before the programme began, the mean interval between visits was 149 days; in year 1 of the programme it was 98 days, and in year 2 it was 89 days. Before the programme, there were on average 13 hospitalizations a year (47 days) and this decreased to 3.5 hospitalizations a year (5.5 days). Emergency department visits decreased from 8 to 2.5 per year. On 10 occasions after the programme started, ketosis was managed by telephone intervention alone, relying on family-initiated calls. Over 90% of patients and family members expressed satisfaction with the telemedicine service and wished to continue using it. In all, 95% felt little self-consciousness. Over 90% felt their privacy was respected. The programme saved US$27,860 per year. The present study demonstrated improved access to specialized health care via telemedicine in combination with online education improved health status and reduced costs by reducing hospitalizations and emergency department visits."
Objective
To test the hypothesis that "telemedicine clinics, supplemented with online education, could provide effective care for children with diabetes while making efficient use of physician time."
Tools Used
Type Clinic
Primary care and specialty care
Size
Small, medium and large
Type of Health IT
Telemedicine
Informational resource
Type of Health IT Functions
The University of Florida in collaboration with the Florida Department of Health Children's Medical Services Network (CMSN) set up semimonthly remote telemedicine clinics for children with diabetes and other endocrine problems. Instead of quarterly visits by physician teams, the family had to come to the University or wait for the next physician visit. Semimonthly remote telemedicine clinics were set up with CMSN. A Web site was set up for education.
Workflow-Related Findings
"The mean visit interval was 98 days in year 1, 89 days in year 2 and 149 days in the year before [this program began]. Before FITE, there were on average 13 hospitalizations a year (47 days); this decreased to 3.5 hospitalizations a year (5.5 days). Emergency department visits decreased from 8 to 2.5 per year. On 10 occasions after the programme started, ketosis was managed by telephone intervention alone, relying on family-initiated calls."
"Over 90% of patients and family members expressed satisfaction with the telemedicine service and wished to continue using it. In all, 95% felt little self-consciousness. Over 90% felt their privacy was respected."
Study Design
Pre-postintervention (no control group)
Study Participants
The study participants included 99 patients (44 with diabetes and 55 with endocrine problems).