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Pamplin JC, Veazey SR, Barczak S, Fonda SJ, Serio-Melvin ML, Ross KS, Colombo CJ. Randomized Controlled Trial of Telementoring During Resource-Limited Patient Care Simulation Improves Caregiver Performance and Patient Survival. Crit Care Explor 2024; 6:e1090. [PMID: 38736901 PMCID: PMC11086961 DOI: 10.1097/cce.0000000000001090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/14/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To determine the impact of telementoring on caregiver performance during a high-fidelity medical simulation model (HFMSM) of a critically ill patient in a resource-limited setting. DESIGN A two-center, randomized, controlled study using a HFMSM of a patient with community-acquired pneumonia complicated by acute respiratory distress syndrome. SETTING A notional clinic in a remote location staffed by a single clinician and nonmedical assistant. PARTICIPANTS Clinicians with limited experience managing critically ill patients. INTERVENTIONS Telemedicine (TM) support. MEASUREMENTS The primary outcome was clinical performance as measured by accuracy, reliability, and efficiency of care. Secondary outcomes were patient survival, procedural quality, subjective assessment of the HFMSM, and perceived workload. MAIN RESULTS TM participants (N = 11) performed better than non-TM (NTM, N = 12) in providing expected care (accuracy), delivering care more consistently (reliability), and without consistent differences in efficiency (timeliness of care). Accuracy: TM completed 91% and NTM 42% of expected tasks and procedures. Efficiency: groups did not differ in the mean (± sd) minutes it took to obtain an advanced airway successfully (TM 15.2 ± 10.5 vs. NTM 22.8 ± 8.4, p = 0.10) or decompress a tension pneumothorax with a needle (TM 0.7 ± 0.5 vs. NTM 0.6 ± 0.9, p = 0.65). TM was slower than NTM in completing thoracostomy (22.3 ± 10.2 vs. 12.3 ± 4.8, p = 0.03). Reliability: TM performed 13 of 17 (76%) tasks with more consistent timing than NTM. TM completed 68% and NTM 29% of procedural quality metrics. Eighty-two percent of the TM participants versus 17% of the NTM participants simulated patients survived (p = 0.003). The groups similarly perceived the HFMSM as realistic, managed their patients with personal ownership, and experienced comparable workload and stress. CONCLUSIONS Remote expertise provided with TM to caregivers in resource-limited settings improves caregiver performance, quality of care, and potentially real patient survival. HFMSM can be used to study interventions in ways not possible with real patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy C Pamplin
- The U.S. Army Telemedicine and Advanced Technology Research Center, Frederick, MD
- Department of Medicine, Department of Emergency and Operational Medicine, The Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD
- Department of Emergency and Operational Medicine, The Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD
- The U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research, San Antonio, TX
- The Geneva Foundation, Tacoma, WA
| | - Sena R Veazey
- The U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research, San Antonio, TX
| | | | | | | | | | - Christopher J Colombo
- Department of Medicine, Department of Emergency and Operational Medicine, The Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD
- The U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research, San Antonio, TX
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Pamplin JC, Gray B, Quinn MT, Little JR, Colombo CJ, Subramanian S, Farmer JC, Ries M, Scott B. National Emergency Tele-Critical Care in a Pandemic: Barriers and Solutions. Crit Care Explor 2024; 6:e1091. [PMID: 38746740 PMCID: PMC11093573 DOI: 10.1097/cce.0000000000001091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic caused tremendous disruption to the U.S. healthcare system and nearly crippled some hospitals during large patient surges. Limited ICU beds across the country further exacerbated these challenges. Telemedicine, specifically tele-critical care (TCC), can expand a hospital's clinical capabilities through remote expertise and increase capacity by offloading some monitoring to remote teams. Unfortunately, the rapid deployment of telemedicine, especially TCC, is constrained by multiple barriers. In the summer of 2020, to support the National Emergency Tele-Critical Care Network (NETCCN) deployment, more than 50 national leaders in applying telemedicine technologies to critical care assembled to provide their opinions about barriers to NETCCN implementation and strategies to overcome them. Through consensus, these experts developed white papers that formed the basis of this article. Herein, the authors share their experience and propose multiple solutions to barriers presented by laws, local policies and cultures, and individual perspectives according to a minimum, better, best paradigm for TCC delivery in the setting of a national disaster. Cross-state licensure and local privileging of virtual experts were identified as the most significant barriers to rapid deployment of services, whereas refining the model of TCC to achieve the best outcomes and defining the best financial model is the most significant for long-term success. Ultimately, we conclude that a rapidly deployable national telemedicine response system is achievable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy C Pamplin
- The Telemedicine and Advanced Technology Research Center, Fort Detrick, MD
- The Department of Medicine, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD
| | - Brooke Gray
- The Department of Medicine, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD
- The Department of Medicine, Alexander T Augusta Military Medical Center, Fort Belvoir, VA
| | - Matthew T Quinn
- The Department of Medicine, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD
| | - Jeanette R Little
- The Department of Medicine, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD
| | - Christopher J Colombo
- The Department of Medicine, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD
- The Geneva Foundation, Tacoma, WA
| | - Sanjay Subramanian
- The Departement of Anesthesiology, Division of Critical Care, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO
- Omnicure, St. Louis, MO
| | - Joseph C Farmer
- The Deprtment of Medicine, The Mayo Clinic Allix School of Medicine, Phoenix, AZ
- The Trajectory Group, LLC, Scottsdale, AZ
| | - Michael Ries
- Advocate Health-Midwest Region, Oakbrook Terrace, IL
| | - Benjamin Scott
- The Department of Anesthesiology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO
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3
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Winterbottom F, Katz AW, Skinner S, Carpenter D, Williams LM, Kleinpell R. Acute Care Advanced Practice Providers' Use of Telehealth During the COVID-19 Pandemic. AACN Adv Crit Care 2023; 34:343-349. [PMID: 38033211 DOI: 10.4037/aacnacc2023516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2023]
Abstract
Advanced practice registered nurses and physician assistants, collectively termed advanced practice providers (APPs), have been part of telehealth for many years. During the COVID-19 pandemic, APPs experienced the growth in roles, responsibilities, and tools used for telehealth care delivery. This article uses examples from 3 health systems to highlight the ways in which telehealth use was expanded due to the pandemic, how APP roles were altered across the United States during and after the pandemic, and implications for future practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fiona Winterbottom
- Fiona Winterbottom is Clinical Nurse Specialist, Critical Care Medicine, Ochsner Health, Ochsner Medical Center, 1514 Jefferson Highway, New Orleans, LA 70448
| | - Adam W Katz
- Adam W. Katz is Senior Director, Advanced Practice Provider Services, and Critical Care Advanced Practice Provider Program, University of Massachusetts Medical Center, Worcester, Massachusetts
| | - Sarah Skinner
- Sarah Skinner is Clinical Coordinator for Critical Care Advanced Practice Providers, UMass Memorial Medical Center, Worcester, Massachusetts
| | - Dawn Carpenter
- Dawn Carpenter is Associate Professor of Nursing, UMass Chan Medical School, Tan Chingfen Graduate School of Nursing, Worcester, Massachusetts, and Nurse Practitioner, Surgical ICU and Trauma Team, Guthrie Healthcare System, Sayre, Pennsylvania
| | - Lisa-Mae Williams
- Lisa-Mae Williams is Operations Director, Telehealth Center, Tele-Critical Care and Virtual Sepsis Unit, Baptist Health, Coral Gables, Florida
| | - Ruth Kleinpell
- Ruth Kleinpell is Associate Dean for Clinical Scholarship and Professor, Vanderbilt University School of Nursing, Nashville, Tennessee
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Armaignac DL, Ramamoorthy V, DuBouchet EM, Williams LM, Kushch NA, Gidel L, Badawi O. Descriptive Comparison of Two Models of Tele-Critical Care Delivery in a Large Multi-Hospital Health Care System. Telemed J E Health 2023; 29:1465-1475. [PMID: 36827094 DOI: 10.1089/tmj.2022.0415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: The Society of Critical Care Medicine Tele-Critical Care (TCC) Committee has identified the need for rigorous comparative research of different TCC delivery models to support the development of best practices for staffing, application, and approaches to workflow. Our objective was to describe and compare outcomes between two TCC delivery models, TCC with 24/7 Bedside Intensivist (BI) compared with TCC with Private Daytime Attending Intensivist (PI) in relation to intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital mortality, ICU and hospital length of stay (LOS), cost, and complications across the spectrum of routine ICU standards of care. Methods: Observational cohort study at large health care system in 12 ICUs and included patients, ≥18, with Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) IVa scores and predictions (October 2016-June 2019). Results: Of the 19,519 ICU patients, 71.7% (n = 13,993) received TCC with 24/7 BI while 28.3% (n = 5,526) received TCC with PI. ICU and Hospital mortality (4.8% vs. 3.1%, p < 0.0001; 12.6% vs. 8.1%, p < 0.001); and ICU and Hospital LOS (3.2 vs. 2.4 days, p < 0.001; 9.8 vs. 7.2 days, p < 0.001) were significantly higher among 24/7 BI compared with PI. The APACHE observed/expected ratios (odds ratio [OR]; 95% confidence interval [CI]) for ICU mortality (0.62; 0.58-0.67) vs. (0.53; 0.46-0.61) and Hospital mortality (0.95; 0.57-1.48) vs. (0.77; 0.70-0.84) were significantly different for 24/7 BI compared with PI. Multivariate mixed models that adjusted for confounders demonstrated significantly greater odds of (OR; 95% CI) ICU mortality (1.58; 1.28-1.93), Hospital mortality (1.52; 1.33-1.73), complications (1.55; 1.18-2.04), ICU LOS [3.14 vs. 2.59 (1.25; 1.19-1.51)], and Hospital LOS [9.05 vs. 7.31 (1.23; 1.21-1.25)] among 24/7 BI when compared with PI. Sensitivity analyses adjusting for ICU admission within 24 h of hospital admission, receiving active ICU treatments, nighttime admission, sepsis, and highest third acute physiology score indicated significantly higher odds for 24/7 BI compared with PI. Conclusion: Our comparison demonstrated that TCC delivery model with PI provided high-quality care with significant positive effects on outcomes. This suggests that TCC delivery models have broad-ranging applicability and benefits in routine critical care, thus necessitating progressive research in this direction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donna Lee Armaignac
- Center for Advanced Analytics, Baptist Health South Florida, Miami, Florida, USA
- Tele-Critical Care, Telehealth Center, Baptist Health South Florida, Miami, Florida, USA
| | | | - Eduardo Martinez DuBouchet
- Tele-Critical Care, Telehealth Center, Baptist Health South Florida, Miami, Florida, USA
- Wertheim School of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Lisa-Mae Williams
- Tele-Critical Care, Telehealth Center, Baptist Health South Florida, Miami, Florida, USA
- Wertheim School of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, USA
| | | | - Louis Gidel
- Center for Advanced Analytics, Baptist Health South Florida, Miami, Florida, USA
- Tele-Critical Care, Telehealth Center, Baptist Health South Florida, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Omar Badawi
- School of Pharmacy, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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Dhala A, Fusaro MV, Uddin F, Tuazon D, Klahn S, Schwartz R, Sasangohar F, Alegria J, Masud F. Integrating a Virtual ICU with Cardiac and Cardiovascular ICUs: Managing the Needs of a Complex and High-Acuity Specialty ICU Cohort. Methodist Debakey Cardiovasc J 2023; 19:4-16. [PMID: 37547898 PMCID: PMC10402825 DOI: 10.14797/mdcvj.1247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023] Open
Abstract
A long-standing shortage of critical care intensivists and nurses, exacerbated by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, has led to an accelerated adoption of tele-critical care in the United States (US). Due to their complex and high-acuity nature, cardiac, cardiovascular, and cardiothoracic intensive care units (ICUs) have generally been limited in their ability to leverage tele-critical care resources. In early 2020, Houston Methodist Hospital (HMH) launched its tele-critical care program called Virtual ICU, or vICU, to improve its ICU staffing efficiency while providing high-quality, continuous access to in-person and virtual intensivists and critical care nurses. This article provides a roadmap with prescriptive specifications for planning, launching, and integrating vICU services within cardiac and cardiovascular ICUs-one of the first such integrations among the leading academic US hospitals. The success of integrating vICU depends upon the (1) recruitment of intensivists and RNs with expertise in managing cardiac and cardiovascular patients on the vICU staff as well as concerted efforts to promote mutual trust and confidence between in-person and virtual providers, (2) consultations with the bedside clinicians to secure their buy-in on the merits of vICU resources, and (3) collaborative approaches to improve workflow protocols and communications. Integration of vICU has resulted in the reduction of monthly night-call requirements for the in-person intensivists and an increase in work satisfaction. Data also show that support of the vICU is associated with a significant reduction in the rate of Code Blue events (denoting a situation where a patient requires immediate resuscitation, typically due to a cardiac or respiratory arrest). As the providers become more comfortable with the advances in artificial intelligence and big data-driven technology, the Cardiac ICU Cohort continues to improve methods to predict and track patient trends in the ICUs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atiya Dhala
- Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas, US
| | | | - Faisal Uddin
- Houston Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas, US
| | - Divina Tuazon
- Houston Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas, US
| | - Steven Klahn
- Department of Virtual Medicine, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas, US
| | | | - Farzan Sasangohar
- Houston Methodist Academic Institute, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas, US
- Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, US
| | | | - Faisal Masud
- Houston Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas, US
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6
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Song X, Liu X, Dong R, Kummer KA, Wang C. Implementation of Tele-Intensive Care Unit Services During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Literature Review and Updated Experience from Shandong Province. Telemed J E Health 2023; 29:646-656. [PMID: 36251955 DOI: 10.1089/tmj.2022.0302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: While the use of telemedicine had been expanding before the initial outbreak of COVID-19, the pandemic has dramatically accelerated its implementation and expanded its usage in many hospitals. Tele-intensive care unit (ICU) is a specialized type of telemedicine that adapts available technologies to the unique needs of critically ill patients. We published an editorial in 2020 describing our initial experiences of Tele-ICU application in Shandong Province. Here, we update our insights gained over the past 2 years, and we provide a systematic review of the literature to compare our perspectives with those from other institutions. Methods: We performed a systematic literature review of publications describing the use of telemedicine in an ICU setting during COVID-19. The PubMed database was searched for studies published after January 1, 2020, which offered detailed descriptions of tele-ICU usage. Extracted data included details regarding tele-ICU technologies, descriptions of the institution, usage cases, assessments of tele-ICU effectiveness, and site-reported opinions (e.g., advantages, disadvantages). Results: We screened 162 studies resulting from the PubMed literature search, along with one expert recommendation. Of the 112 full-text articles retrieved, 11 were selected for inclusion in this qualitative summary. All were retrospective descriptions of tele-ICU experiences at a single site. Some pairs of included articles reported results from the same institution, with seven unique sites being described. Three sites employed centralized models of tele-ICU, while four allowed staff to participate from distant locations. Five sites collected user-reported feedback regarding tele-ICU. While the advantages and disadvantages described rarely overlapped directly between sites, many reported positive opinions of tele-ICU use overall. Conclusions: The potential applications of tele-ICU technologies vary widely, making them highly adaptable to the needs of individual institutions. Tele-ICU has proven invaluable to some hospitals during COVID-19 due to its effectiveness at aiding patient care while mitigating risk to health care workers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Song
- ICU, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | | | | | | | - Chunting Wang
- ICU, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
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7
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Ruscic K, Hanidziar D, Shaw K, Wiener-Kronish J, Shelton KT. Systems Anesthesiology: Integrating Insights From Diverse Disciplines to Improve Perioperative Care. Anesth Analg 2022; 135:673-677. [PMID: 36108178 PMCID: PMC9494922 DOI: 10.1213/ane.0000000000006166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Katarina Ruscic
- Division of Critical Care, Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care, and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA
| | - Dusan Hanidziar
- Division of Critical Care, Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care, and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA
| | - Kendrick Shaw
- Division of Critical Care, Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care, and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA
| | - Jeanine Wiener-Kronish
- Division of Critical Care, Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care, and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA
| | - Kenneth T Shelton
- Division of Critical Care, Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care, and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA
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Telemedicine to Expand Access to Critical Care Around the World. Crit Care Clin 2022; 38:809-826. [PMID: 36162912 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccc.2022.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
This multiauthored communication gives a state-of-the-art global perspective on the increasing adoption of tele-critical care. Exponentially increasing sophistication in the deployment of Computers, Information, and Communication Technology has ensured extending the reach of limited intensivists virtually and reaching the unreached. Natural disasters, COVID-19 pandemic, and wars have made tele-intensive care a reality. Concerns and regulatory issues are being sorted out, cross-border cost-effective tele-critical care is steadily increasing Components to set up a tele-intensive care unit, and overcoming barriers is discussed. Importance of developing best practice guidelines and retraining is emphasized.
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Kemp Van Ee S, McKelvey H, Williams T, Shao B, Lin WT, Luu J, Sunny D, Kumar S, Narayan S, Urdaneta A, Perez L, Schwab H, Riegle S, Jacobs RJ. Telemedicine Intensive Care Unit (Tele-ICU) Implementation During COVID-19: A Scoping Review. Cureus 2022; 14:e25133. [PMID: 35746989 PMCID: PMC9206410 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.25133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Telemedicine intensive care unit (Tele-ICU) programs entail command centers staffed with intensivists and critical care nurses who electronically aid with and deliver real-time information to frontline clinicians. The benefits of Tele-ICU are numerous, but the barriers to it often prove insurmountable, accounting for slow adoption in rural and underserved areas where it is needed the most. Remote monitoring can quickly detect patient deterioration, while consultation provided by a remote intensivist expands the capabilities of smaller facilities. The emergence of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has brought about a sense of urgency, paving the way for the successful adaptation of tele-intensive care concepts. The goal of this scoping review is to map out the available published data regarding healthcare professionals’ experiences with implementing Tele-ICU modalities during the COVID-19 pandemic. A primary literature search was performed on PubMed/MEDLINE and the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) databases from October 2020 to October 2021. Of the 1,083 records screened, 19 were identified as meeting our inclusion criteria and selected for the final scoping review. Five major areas of Tele-ICU use were identified: teleconsultation, telerounding, telemonitoring, family visitation via teleconference, and changing of hospital infrastructure. A heterogeneous mix of improvised Tele-ICU platforms emerged with a common theme of interdisciplinary and family collaboration in the care of critically ill patients. Existing Tele-ICU systems were expanded, and novel programs were launched. A groundbreaking national network in the U.S. (NETCCN) will standardize the deployment of Tele-ICU and expand its reach. Future research should focus on determining accurate costs and the most reliable forms of remote communication, physician compact agreement licensure, the practical composition of Tele-ICU teams, and standardized access to the electronic health record.
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Gibney RN, Blackman C, Gauthier M, Fan E, Fowler R, Johnston C, Jeremy Katulka R, Marcushamer S, Menon K, Miller T, Paunovic B, Tanguay T. COVID-19 pandemic: the impact on Canada’s intensive care units. Facets (Ott) 2022. [DOI: 10.1139/facets-2022-0023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the precarious demand-capacity balance in Canadian hospitals, including critical care where there is an urgent need for trained health care professionals to dramatically increase ICU capacity. The impact of the pandemic on ICUs varied significantly across the country with provinces that implemented public health measures later and relaxed them sooner being impacted more severely. Pediatric ICUs routinely admitted adult patients. Non-ICU areas were converted to ICUs and staff were redeployed from other essential service areas. Faced with a lack of critical care capacity, triage plans for ICU admission were developed and nearly implemented in some provinces. Twenty eight percent of patients in Canadian ICUs who required mechanical ventilation died. Surviving patients have required prolonged ICU admission, hospitalization and extensive ongoing rehabilitation. Family members of patients were not permitted to visit, resulting in additional psychological stresses to patients, families, and healthcare teams. ICU professionals also experienced extreme psychological stresses from caring for such large numbers of critically ill patients, often in sub-standard conditions. This resulted in large numbers of health workers leaving their professions. This pandemic is not yet over, and it is likely that new pandemics will follow. A review and recommendations for the future are provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- R.T. Noel Gibney
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2B7, Canada
| | - Cynthia Blackman
- Dr. Cynthia Blackman and Associates, Edmonton, AB M5R 3R8, Canada
| | - Melanie Gauthier
- Faculty of Nursing, McGill University, Montréal, QC Canada
- President, Canadian Association of Critical Care Nurses, Quebec, QC, Canada
| | - Eddy Fan
- Interdisciplinary Division of Critical Care Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A1, Canada
- Department of Medicine, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5G 2C4, Canada
| | - Robert Fowler
- Interdisciplinary Division of Critical Care Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A1, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Sunnybrook Hospital, Toronto, ON M5S 1A1, Canada
| | - Curtis Johnston
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2B7, Canada
- Intensive Care Unit, Royal Alexandra Hospital, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada
| | - R. Jeremy Katulka
- Department of Medicine, Royal University Hospital, Saskatoon, SK S7N 0W8, Canada
| | - Samuel Marcushamer
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2B7, Canada
- Intensive Care Unit, Royal Alexandra Hospital, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada
| | - Kusum Menon
- Paediatric Intensive Care Unit, Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada
- Paediatric Intensive Care Unit, Department of Pediatrics, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON T6G 2R3, Canada
| | - Tracey Miller
- Intensive Care Unit, Royal Columbian Hospital, New Westminster, BC V3L 3W7, Canada
| | - Bojan Paunovic
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, Canada
- President, Canadian Critical Care Society, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, Canada
| | - Teddie Tanguay
- Intensive Care Unit, Royal Alexandra Hospital, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada
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Conroy I, Murray A, Kirrane F, Cullen L, Anglim P, O’Keeffe D. Key requirements of a video-call system in a critical care department as discovered during the rapid development of a solution to address COVID-19 visitor restrictions. JAMIA Open 2021; 4:ooab091. [PMID: 34805775 PMCID: PMC8599714 DOI: 10.1093/jamiaopen/ooab091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Revised: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated stringent visitor restrictions in critical care departments worldwide, creating challenges in keeping family members connected to patients and clinical staff. Previous studies have examined how hospitals addressed this challenge by repurposing existing tele-ICU systems or by using personal smartphones as a workaround and have analyzed clinical and family feedback. This case report addresses the experience of rapidly implementing a video-call system in the critical care department of a tertiary referral hospital that had no prior video-call system in place, detailing the key requirements in that setting. The 24 requirements were identified via interviews and surveys to both clinical and technical professionals. The top requirements identified were sound and video quality, usability for clinical staff, call control by staff, and patient privacy. From tailoring a video-call solution for this setting, we learned that video-endpoint selection is a key design decision. The initial proposal was to use wireless tablets, but the selection of a large wired video-endpoint allowed us to better address the requirements in the critical care setting. This was based on several characteristics of the large wired video-endpoint, including: high-fidelity video and sound, with directional noise-cancelling; large touch-screen setup for minimal-click navigation; wired as well as wireless connectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irial Conroy
- Health Innovation Via Engineering Laboratory, Cúram SFI Research Centre for Medical Devices, Lambe Institute for Translational Research, National University of Ireland—Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Aoife Murray
- Health Innovation Via Engineering Laboratory, Cúram SFI Research Centre for Medical Devices, Lambe Institute for Translational Research, National University of Ireland—Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Frank Kirrane
- Department of Medical Physics and Clinical Engineering, University Hospital Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Leonie Cullen
- Critical Care Department, University Hospital Galway, Ireland
| | - Paul Anglim
- Department of Engineering and Science (Adjunct Lecturer), National University of Ireland—Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Derek O’Keeffe
- Health Innovation Via Engineering Laboratory, Cúram SFI Research Centre for Medical Devices, Lambe Institute for Translational Research, National University of Ireland—Galway, Galway, Ireland
- School of Medicine, College of Medicine Nursing and Health Sciences, National University of Ireland—Galway, Galway, Ireland, and
- Lero, SFI Centre for Software Research, National University of Ireland—Galway, Galway, Ireland
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12
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Quiroz-Juárez MA, Torres-Gómez A, Hoyo-Ulloa I, León-Montiel RDJ, U’Ren AB. Identification of high-risk COVID-19 patients using machine learning. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0257234. [PMID: 34543294 PMCID: PMC8452016 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0257234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The current COVID-19 public health crisis, caused by SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2), has produced a devastating toll both in terms of human life loss and economic disruption. In this paper we present a machine-learning algorithm capable of identifying whether a given patient (actually infected or suspected to be infected) is more likely to survive than to die, or vice-versa. We train this algorithm with historical data, including medical history, demographic data, as well as COVID-19-related information. This is extracted from a database of confirmed and suspected COVID-19 infections in Mexico, constituting the official COVID-19 data compiled and made publicly available by the Mexican Federal Government. We demonstrate that the proposed method can detect high-risk patients with high accuracy, in each of four identified clinical stages, thus improving hospital capacity planning and timely treatment. Furthermore, we show that our method can be extended to provide optimal estimators for hypothesis-testing techniques commonly-used in biological and medical statistics. We believe that our work could be of use in the context of the current pandemic in assisting medical professionals with real-time assessments so as to determine health care priorities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario A. Quiroz-Juárez
- Departamento de Física, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana Unidad Iztapalapa, Ciudad de México, México
- * E-mail:
| | | | | | | | - Alfred B. U’Ren
- Instituto de Ciencias Nucleares, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, México
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Occupational Health and Safety Measures in Healthcare Settings during COVID-19: Strategies for Protecting Staff, Patients and Visitors. Disaster Med Public Health Prep 2021; 17:e48. [PMID: 34517932 PMCID: PMC8523969 DOI: 10.1017/dmp.2021.294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has profoundly impacted almost every aspect of healthcare systems worldwide, placing the health and safety of frontline healthcare workers at risk, and it still continues to remain an important public health challenge. Several hospitals have put in place strategies to manage space, staff, and supplies in order to continue to deliver optimum care to patients while at the same time protecting the health and safety of staff and patients. However, the emergence of the second and third waves of the virus with the influx of new cases continue to add an additional level of complexity to the already challenging situation of containing the spread and lowering the rate of transmission, thus pushing healthcare systems to the limit. In this narrative review paper, we describe various strategies including administrative controls, environmental controls, and use of personal protective equipment, implemented by occupational health and safety departments for the protection of healthcare workers, patients, and visitors from SARS-CoV-2 virus infection. The protection and safeguard of the health and safety of healthcare workers and patients through the implementation of effective infection control measures, adequate management of possible outbreaks and minimization of the risk of nosocomial transmission is an important and effective strategy of SARS-CoV-2 pandemic management in any healthcare facility. High quality patient care hinges on ensuring that the care providers are well protected and supported so they can provide the best quality of care to their patients.
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14
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Dichter JR, Devereaux AV, Sprung CL, Mukherjee V, Persoff J, Baum KD, Ornoff D, Uppal A, Hossain T, Henry KN, Ghazipura M, Bowden KR, Feldman HJ, Hamele MT, Burry LD, Martland AMO, Huffines M, Tosh PK, Downar J, Hick JL, Christian MD, Maves RC. Mass Critical Care Surge Response During COVID-19: Implementation of Contingency Strategies - A Preliminary Report of Findings From the Task Force for Mass Critical Care. Chest 2021; 161:429-447. [PMID: 34499878 PMCID: PMC8420082 DOI: 10.1016/j.chest.2021.08.072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Revised: 08/05/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Background After the publication of a 2014 consensus statement regarding mass critical care during public health emergencies, much has been learned about surge responses and the care of overwhelming numbers of patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. Gaps in prior pandemic planning were identified and require modification in the midst of severe ongoing surges throughout the world. Research Question A subcommittee from The Task Force for Mass Critical Care (TFMCC) investigated the most recent COVID-19 publications coupled with TFMCC members anecdotal experience in order to formulate operational strategies to optimize contingency level care, and prevent crisis care circumstances associated with increased mortality. Study Design and Methods TFMCC adopted a modified version of established rapid guideline methodologies from the World Health Organization and the Guidelines International Network-McMaster Guideline Development Checklist. With a consensus development process incorporating expert opinion to define important questions and extract evidence, the TFMCC developed relevant pandemic surge suggestions in a structured manner, incorporating peer-reviewed literature, “gray” evidence from lay media sources, and anecdotal experiential evidence. Results Ten suggestions were identified regarding staffing, load-balancing, communication, and technology. Staffing models are suggested with resilience strategies to support critical care staff. ICU surge strategies and strain indicators are suggested to enhance ICU prioritization tactics to maintain contingency level care and to avoid crisis triage, with early transfer strategies to further load-balance care. We suggest that intensivists and hospitalists be engaged with the incident command structure to ensure two-way communication, situational awareness, and the use of technology to support critical care delivery and families of patients in ICUs. Interpretation A subcommittee from the TFMCC offers interim evidence-informed operational strategies to assist hospitals and communities to plan for and respond to surge capacity demands resulting from COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Amit Uppal
- Grossman School of Medicine, New York University, New York, NY
| | - Tanzib Hossain
- Grossman School of Medicine, New York University, New York, NY
| | | | - Marya Ghazipura
- Grossman School of Medicine, New York University, New York, NY
| | | | - Henry J Feldman
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA; Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, MA
| | - Mitchell T Hamele
- Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD; Tripler Army Medical Center, Honolulu, HI
| | | | | | | | | | | | - John L Hick
- University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN; Hennepin Health Care, Minneapolis, MN
| | - Michael D Christian
- Research & Clinical Effectiveness Lead/HEMS Doctor, London's Air Ambulance, Bart's NHS Health Trust, London, England
| | - Ryan C Maves
- Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD; Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC
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Abstract
Telemedicine represents an area of rapid growth in anesthesiology. Remote preoperative evaluation is associated with high patient and physician satisfaction scores, reduced patient travel and wait times, and similar procedure cancellation rates compared with in-person clinic evaluation. Preoperative tele-evaluation has facilitated a return to normal function during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Intraoperatively, remote vital sign monitoring and telecommunications technology combined with a care team model allows provision of expert care in areas experiencing a shortage of anesthesiologists. Virtual intensive care units provide overflow capability for postoperative patients, whereas patient smartphones can reduce the need for in-person evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn Harter Bridges
- Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, 25 Courtenay Drive, Suite 4200, MSC 240, Charleston, SC 29425, USA.
| | - Julie Ryan McSwain
- Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, 25 Courtenay Drive, Suite 4200, MSC 240, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
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Collaboration Between Tele-ICU Programs Has the Potential to Rapidly Increase the Availability of Critical Care Physicians-Our Experience Was During Coronavirus Disease 2019 Nomenclature. Crit Care Explor 2021; 3:e0363. [PMID: 33786439 PMCID: PMC7994031 DOI: 10.1097/cce.0000000000000363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives: Implement a connected network between two Tele-ICU programs to support staffing and rounding during the first wave of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic in the United States. Design: Proof of Concept model. Setting: Northwell Health; a 23 Hospital, 40 ICU (500 ICU beds) healthcare organization serving the downstate NY area. During the initial coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, Northwell Health rapidly expanded to greater than 1,000 ICU beds. The surge in patients required redeployment of noncritical care providers to the ICU bedside. The Tele-ICU program expanded from covering 176 beds pre pandemic to assisting with care for patients in approximately 450 beds via deployment of Wi-Fi-enabled mobile telehealth carts to the newly formed ICUs. Patients: Critically ill coronavirus disease 2019 patients hospitalized at Northwell Health, NY, at any point from March 2020 to June 2020. Interventions: To offset the shortage of critical care physicians, Northwell Health established a collaboration with the Tele-ICU program of Providence, St. Joseph Health in the state of Washington, which enabled the critical care physicians of Providence, St. Joseph Health to participate in virtual rounding on critically ill coronavirus disease 2019 patients at Northwell Health. Main Results: We developed an innovative hybrid model that allowed for virtual rounding on an additional 40–60 patients per day by a remote critical care physician at Providence, St. Joseph Health. This was accomplished in approximately 3 weeks and provided remote care to complex patients. Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate the proof of concept of establishing a network of connected Tele-ICU programs as a rapidly scalable and sustainable paradigm for the provision of support from critical care physicians for noncritical care teams at the bedside.
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