Study Findings
For the study, Marshall University researchers conducted a review of 55 scholarly articles and case studies published in the U.S. between 2003 and 2013 that examined the effects of telehealth tools in ICUs.
They found that adopting telehealth technology for ICUs could cost as much as $100,000 per bed. However, the cost is likely offset by the significant decreases in ICU:
- Length of stay;
- Patient mortality rates; and
- Total costs (Bowman, FierceHealthIT, 3/31).
Specifically, the researchers reported that telehealth adoption was associated with a 24% decrease in patients' length of stay (Deslich/Coustasse, Telemedicine and e-Health, May 2014).
They also found that patients being treated at a telehealth-equipped ICU were:
- 26% more likely to survive their ICU care than those treated at a standard ICU; and
- 16% more likely to survive their hospitalization than those at standard ICUs.
In addition, the researchers noted improvements in communication among ICU staff members after telehealth technology was implemented.
They wrote, "Improved staff communication, teamwork and improved supervision have also been recognized as advantages" of telehealth adoption (FierceHealthIT, 3/31).
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Quelle/Source: iHealthBeat, 01.04.2014
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