The costs of critical care telemedicine programs: a systematic review and analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Implementation of telemedicine programs in ICUs (tele-ICUs) may improve patient outcomes, but the costs of these programs are unknown. We performed a systematic literature review to summarize existing data on the costs of tele-ICUs and collected detailed data on the costs of implementing a tele-ICU in a network of Veterans Health Administration (VHA) hospitals.

Methods

We conducted a systematic review of studies published between January 1, 1990, and July 1, 2011, reporting costs of tele-ICUs. Studies were summarized, and key cost data were abstracted. We then obtained the costs of implementing a tele-ICU in a network of seven VHA hospitals and report these costs in light of the existing literature.

Results

Our systematic review identified eight studies rep

SUBMITTER: Kumar G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3610592 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature