Telehealth Digital Stethoscope Project June 1 2007

EASE and TelehealthThe EASE clinic is a rapid access clinic for new outpatient cardiac consultations with a single contact point and rapid triage.

EASE and Telehealth•Current Cardiac EASE Telehealth program limits physical exam •Restricts use of telehealth to follow-up visits when physical exam is not required

•Review of history/symptoms•Vital Signs•Prearranged lab work

Current Use of Telehealth in EASE

Follow-up•Review of test results•Assess response to treatment

Education•Risk reduction•CHF•Drug therapy

Current Use of Telehealth in EASENew patient consultations when physical exam is not critical•Review history, test results, medications•Discuss invasive procedures

Electrophysiologists

Digital Stethoscope Equipment1. Digital stethoscope allows physical exam

remotely

2. Camera allows close visual assessment of specific areas and of documents

Patient at his local telehealth site with support staff (RN) and stethoscope transmitter

EASE staff at the U of A hospital telehealth site •interviews patient•exams patient with assistance of trained RN at the local site

Initially, it is planned that a follow-up visit at the U of A hospital site will be used to validate the accuracy of the remote stethoscope examination

Goals

•Rapid clinical assessment via telehealth technology with more detailed exam •Increased diagnostic certainty•Improve patients’ access to specialized Cardiology services in their own region including the initial assessment

Goals•Appropriate triage•Shorter wait times (currently 3-5 months for traditional referral pattern)•Reduced travel times•Build remote/rural capacity•Improve patient satisfaction

Process•Target new patient referrals to the EASE program from partnered health regions•Equipment including AMD-3200 Simulscope•Funds to support our partnering regions•Funds to support purchase, training and use of the equipment

Process•Recruit 150-200 patients from new referrals to the EASE clinic who reside in the partnered health regions•Remote history and physical exam•Validate equipment with a follow-up visit on-site and appropriate diagnostic tests, comparing accuracy of remote assessment with local assessment

Current Status

•One partnered region is ready and first few patients will be examined next week•2 more regions in process