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Scudeller PG, Lamas CDA, Alvarenga AM, Garcia ML, Amaral TF, de Oliveira MR, de Macedo BR, Testa CB, Baptista FS, Francisco RPV, de Carvalho CRR. Tele-Intensive Care Unit Program in Brazil: Implementation and Expansion. TELEMEDICINE REPORTS 2023; 4:109-117. [PMID: 37283854 PMCID: PMC10240323 DOI: 10.1089/tmr.2023.0017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
In this scientific report, we aimed to describe the implementation and expansion of a Tele-Intensive Care Unit (Tele-ICU) program in Brazil, highlighting the pillars of success, improvements, and perspectives. Tele-ICU program emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic at the Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (HCFMUSP), focusing on clinical case discussions and training of health practitioners in public hospitals of the state of São Paulo in Brazil, to support health care professionals for treating COVID-19 patients. The success of implementing this initiative endorsed the project expansion to other five hospitals from different macroregions of the country, leading to the Tele-ICU-Brazil. These projects assisted 40 hospitals, allowing more than 11,500 teleinterconsultations (exchange of medical information between health care professionals using a licensed online platform) and training more than 14,800 health care professionals, reducing mortality and length of hospitalized patients. A segment in telehealth for the obstetrics health care was implemented after detecting these were a susceptible group of patients to COVID-19 severity. As a perspective, this segment will be expanded to 27 hospitals in the country. The Tele-ICU projects reported here were the largest digital health ICU programs ever established in Brazilian National Health System until know. Their results were unprecedented and proved to be crucial for supporting health care professionals nationwide during the COVID-19 pandemic and guide future initiatives in digital health in Brazil's National Health System.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Gobi Scudeller
- Digital Health, Technological Innovation Hub (InovaHC); Hospital das Clínicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Pulmonary Division, Heart Institute (InCor); Hospital das Clínicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Celina de Almeida Lamas
- Digital Health, Technological Innovation Hub (InovaHC); Hospital das Clínicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Pulmonary Division, Heart Institute (InCor); Hospital das Clínicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Aline Morgan Alvarenga
- Digital Health, Technological Innovation Hub (InovaHC); Hospital das Clínicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Pulmonary Division, Heart Institute (InCor); Hospital das Clínicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Michelle Louvaes Garcia
- Digital Health, Technological Innovation Hub (InovaHC); Hospital das Clínicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Pulmonary Division, Heart Institute (InCor); Hospital das Clínicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Talita Freitas Amaral
- Digital Health, Technological Innovation Hub (InovaHC); Hospital das Clínicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Pulmonary Division, Heart Institute (InCor); Hospital das Clínicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Martina Rodrigues de Oliveira
- Digital Health, Technological Innovation Hub (InovaHC); Hospital das Clínicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Pulmonary Division, Heart Institute (InCor); Hospital das Clínicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Bruno Rocha de Macedo
- Digital Health, Technological Innovation Hub (InovaHC); Hospital das Clínicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Pulmonary Division, Heart Institute (InCor); Hospital das Clínicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Carolina Burgarelli Testa
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hospital das Clínicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Spadotto Baptista
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hospital das Clínicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rossana Pulcineli Vieira Francisco
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hospital das Clínicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Carlos Roberto Ribeiro de Carvalho
- Digital Health, Technological Innovation Hub (InovaHC); Hospital das Clínicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Pulmonary Division, Heart Institute (InCor); Hospital das Clínicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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McLeroy RD, Ingersoll J, Nielsen P, Pamplin J. Implementation of Tele-Critical Care at General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital. Mil Med 2021; 185:e191-e196. [PMID: 31247104 DOI: 10.1093/milmed/usz147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2019] [Revised: 04/19/2019] [Accepted: 05/31/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Tele-Intensive Care Unit (tele-ICU) is care provided to critically ill patients by remote clinicians using audio, and video communications and network resources to access real-time patient information from physiologic monitors and the electronic medical record. Tele-ICU has been demonstrated in civilian healthcare to reduce mortality, improve care quality and safety, decrease intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay (LOS) and ventilator days, and save money. General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital (GLWACH) is a small medical treatment facility with limited resources with respect to subspecialists and ancillary services. MATERIALS AND METHODS In 2012, GLWACH identified the lack of board-certified critical care physicians and limited baseline critical care capabilities as gaps that reduced surgical opportunities, challenged critical skill sustainment, exposed potential patient safety issues, and resulted in costly patient transfers to network hospitals. To address these gaps, GLWACH partnered with the Baptist Health Tele-ICU Service, located in Little Rock, AR, to provide Tele-ICU services to its four-bed intensive care unit. Video Teleconsultation (VTC) equipment was installed in the ICU as was a vendor specific solution for accessing real-time patient vital signs and an "emergency" button. The emergency button functioned by turning on the VTC equipment and calling the Tele-ICU center in Little Rock immediately when pushed. To assess impact, hospital and ICU volume, acuity, case mix index, purchased care costs were monitored before and after implementation of the system. Additionally, a Safety Attitudes Questionnaire (SAQ) was administered before and after implementation. RESULTS The implementation of the tele-ICU program at GLWACH increased hospital and ICU patient volume, surgical patient volume, and patient complexity. Purchased care costs declined by 30% in the year following implementation and return on investment was $233,311 (19%). All measurements of the SAQ improved following implementation. CONCLUSIONS These findings support the implementation of tele-ICU in the MHS as a cost-effective method to sustain readiness amongst critical care clinicians and improve safety culture in MHS hospitals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert D McLeroy
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, 8901 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, MD 20899
| | - John Ingersoll
- General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital, Ft. Leonard Wood, MO 65473
| | | | - Jeremy Pamplin
- Telemedicine and Advanced Technology Research Center, Fredrick, MD 78234.,Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD 20814
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Abstract
Consumers of healthcare services are demanding more convenient and accessible options to care. Technologic advancements can support this demand, but telehealth knowledge is lacking. This article will describe the current state of telehealth and examine the role that NPs can play in furthering its adoption.
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Rincon TA, Bakshi V, Beninati W, Carpenter D, Cucchi E, Davis TM, Dreher J, Hiddleson C, Johansson MK, Katz AW, Olff C, Wansor EA, Ward D, Washington V, WinterBottom F, Kleinpell RM. Describing advanced practice provider roles within critical care teams with Tele-ICUs: Exemplars from seven US health systems. Nurs Outlook 2019; 68:5-13. [PMID: 31376986 DOI: 10.1016/j.outlook.2019.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2019] [Revised: 05/11/2019] [Accepted: 06/15/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Telehealth is an acknowledged strategy to meet patient healthcare needs. In critical care settings, Tele-ICU's are expanding to deliver clinical services across a diverse spectrum of critically ill patients. The expansion of telehealth provides increased opportunities for advanced practice providers including advanced practice nurses and physician assistants; however, limited information on roles and models of care for advanced practice providers in telehealth exist. This article reviews current and evolving roles for advanced practice providers in telehealth in acute and critical care settings across 7 healthcare systems in the United States. The health system exemplars described in this article identify the important role of advanced practice providers in providing patient care oversight and in improving outcomes for acute and critically ill patients. As telehealth continues to expand, additional opportunities will lead to novel roles for advanced practice providers in the field of telehealth to assist with patient care management for subacute, acute, and critically ill patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa A Rincon
- Virtual Medicine Department, UMass Memorial Health Care, Worcester, MA.
| | - Vishal Bakshi
- Emory Critical Care Center, Emory Healthcare, Atlanta, GA
| | - William Beninati
- Intermountain Healthcare Connect, TeleCritical Care, Salt Lake City, UT
| | - Dawn Carpenter
- Graduate School of Nursing, UMass Medical School, Worcester, MA
| | - Eric Cucchi
- UMass Memorial Health Care, Critical Care Operations, Worcester, MA
| | | | - Jennifer Dreher
- Veteran's Health Administration, Veterans Integrated Services Network (VISN 10 Tele-ICU), Cincinnati, OH
| | | | | | - Adam W Katz
- UMass Memorial Health Care, Critical Care Operations, Worcester, MA
| | - Carol Olff
- John Muir Health, Concord Medical Center, Concord, CA
| | | | - Denise Ward
- Intermountain Healthcare Connect, TeleCritical Care, Salt Lake City, UT
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Williams LMS, Nemeth LS, Johnson E, Armaignac DL, Magwood GS. Telemedicine Intensive Care Unit Nursing Interventions to Prevent Failure to Rescue. Am J Crit Care 2019; 28:64-75. [PMID: 30600229 DOI: 10.4037/ajcc2019577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although telemedicine intensive care unit (tele-ICU) nurses are integral to the tele-ICU model of care, few studies have explored the influence of tele-ICU nursing interventions on preventing failure to rescue in critically ill patients. OBJECTIVE To determine how tele-ICU nurses characterize their interventions to prevent failure to rescue. METHODS This qualitative interpretive study recruited a purposive sample from 11 tele-ICU centers across the United States for structured open-ended interviews. An inductive and deductive approach suitable for health services qualitative research was adapted to further explain and extend a relevant conceptual framework for tele-ICU nursing practice. RESULTS Of 33 nurses practicing in tele-ICUs who responded to a recruitment email, 19 participated in this study. Findings included 4 major interrelated themes: (1) fundamental attributes of the tele-ICU nurse, (2) proactive clinical practice, (3) effective collaborative relationships, and (4) strategic use of advanced technology. CONCLUSION A conceptual framework extending the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses model of success for tele-ICU nursing practice is proposed to prevent failure to rescue. Tele-ICU nurses use systems thinking and integration of complex factors in their practice to prevent failure to rescue. Tele-ICU nurses' perception of their role in preventing failure to rescue and emotional intelligence competence are key to building and maintaining effective relationships with the ICU. Tele-ICU nurses' intentional use of advanced technology, rather than the technology itself, supports and enhances proactive tele-ICU practice to prevent failure to rescue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa-Mae S. Williams
- Lisa-Mae S. Williams is operations director, telehealth and eICU, Baptist Health South Florida Telehealth Center, Coral Gables. Lynne S. Nemeth and Gayenell S. Magwood are professors and Emily Johnson is an assistant professor, College of Nursing, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston. Donna Lee Armaignac is director of best practices, Baptist Health South Florida Telehealth Center, Coral Gables, Florida
| | - Lynne S. Nemeth
- Lisa-Mae S. Williams is operations director, telehealth and eICU, Baptist Health South Florida Telehealth Center, Coral Gables. Lynne S. Nemeth and Gayenell S. Magwood are professors and Emily Johnson is an assistant professor, College of Nursing, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston. Donna Lee Armaignac is director of best practices, Baptist Health South Florida Telehealth Center, Coral Gables, Florida
| | - Emily Johnson
- Lisa-Mae S. Williams is operations director, telehealth and eICU, Baptist Health South Florida Telehealth Center, Coral Gables. Lynne S. Nemeth and Gayenell S. Magwood are professors and Emily Johnson is an assistant professor, College of Nursing, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston. Donna Lee Armaignac is director of best practices, Baptist Health South Florida Telehealth Center, Coral Gables, Florida
| | - Donna Lee Armaignac
- Lisa-Mae S. Williams is operations director, telehealth and eICU, Baptist Health South Florida Telehealth Center, Coral Gables. Lynne S. Nemeth and Gayenell S. Magwood are professors and Emily Johnson is an assistant professor, College of Nursing, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston. Donna Lee Armaignac is director of best practices, Baptist Health South Florida Telehealth Center, Coral Gables, Florida
| | - Gayenell S. Magwood
- Lisa-Mae S. Williams is operations director, telehealth and eICU, Baptist Health South Florida Telehealth Center, Coral Gables. Lynne S. Nemeth and Gayenell S. Magwood are professors and Emily Johnson is an assistant professor, College of Nursing, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston. Donna Lee Armaignac is director of best practices, Baptist Health South Florida Telehealth Center, Coral Gables, Florida
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Trombley MJ, Hassol A, Lloyd JT, Buchman TG, Marier AF, White A, Colligan E. The Impact of Enhanced Critical Care Training and 24/7 (Tele-ICU) Support on Medicare Spending and Postdischarge Utilization Patterns. Health Serv Res 2018; 53:2099-2117. [PMID: 29282724 PMCID: PMC6051971 DOI: 10.1111/1475-6773.12821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To estimate the effect of implementing a tele-ICU and a critical care residency training program for advanced practice providers on service utilization and total Medicare episode spending. DATA SOURCES/STUDY SETTINGS Medicare claims data for fee-for-service beneficiaries at 12 large, inpatient hospitals in the Atlanta Hospital Referral Region. STUDY DESIGN Difference-in-differences design where changes in spending and utilization for Medicare beneficiaries eligible for treatment in participating ICUs was compared to changes in a comparison group of clinically similar beneficiaries treated at similar hospitals' ICUs in the same hospital referral region. EXTRACTION METHODS Using Medicare claims data from January 2010 through June 2015, we defined measures of Medicare episode spending during the ICU stay and subsequent 60 days after discharge, and utilization measures within 30 and 60 days after discharge. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Implementation of the advanced practice provider residency program and tele-ICU was associated with a significant reduction in average Medicare spending per episode, primarily driven by reduced readmissions within 60 days and substitution of home health care for institutional postacute care. CONCLUSIONS Innovations in workforce training and technology specific to the ICU may be useful in addressing the shortage of intensivist physicians, yielding benefits to patients and payers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Erin Colligan
- Center for Medicare and Medicaid InnovationBaltimoreMD
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Deslich S, Coustasse A. Expanding technology in the ICU: the case for the utilization of telemedicine. Telemed J E Health 2014; 20:485-92. [PMID: 24621447 DOI: 10.1089/tmj.2013.0102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Telemedicine has been utilized in various healthcare areas to achieve better patient outcomes, lower costs of providing services, and increase patient access to care. Tele-intensive care unit (ICU) technology has been introduced as a way to provide effective ICU services to patients with reduced access, as well as to decrease costs and improve patient care. MATERIALS AND METHODS The methodology for this qualitative study was a literature search and review of case studies. The search was limited to sources published in the last 10 years (2003-2013) in the English language. In total, 55 references were used for this research exploration inquiry. RESULTS Tele-ICU was found to be an effective way to use technology to decrease costs of providing intensive care, while improving patient outcomes such as mortality and length of stay. Several case studies supported the use of telemedicine in ICUs to provide intensive care to patients who lived in rural areas and lacked access to traditional ICUs. Furthermore, it was noted that, although the initial costs for tele-ICU startup were significant, as much as $100,000 per bed, the benefits of the utilization of this technology can offset those costs by reducing costs by 24% via decreased length of stay for patients. CONCLUSIONS The findings of this study have suggested that the implementation of tele-ICU may have been more beneficial than costly, and it may have provided healthcare organizations the opportunity to increase quality of care and decrease mortality, while it might have decreased costs of delivering ICU services in both rural and urban areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stacie Deslich
- Graduate College of Business, Marshall University , South Charleston, West Virginia
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Winterbottom F, Campbell A. Keeping the sickest patients safer: telemedicine and critical care. J Contin Educ Nurs 2013. [PMID: 23181404 DOI: 10.3928/00220124-20121120-94] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Telemedicine in critical care offers opportunities to improve quality and safety by connecting bedside care teams with off-site tele-ICU staff using advanced software and continuous remote monitoring technology. This leads to more proactive care, fewer complications, and timely decisions regarding care.
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