Implementation of a fetal ultrasound telemedicine service: women's views and family costs.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The complexity of fetal medicine (FM) referrals that can be managed within obstetric units is dependent on the availability of specialist ultrasound expertise. Telemedicine can effectively transfer real-time ultrasound images via video-conferencing. We report the successful introduction of a fetal ultrasound telemedicine service linking a specialist fetal medicine (FM) centre and a remote obstetric unit.

Methods

Over a four-year period from October 2015, all women referred for FM consultation from the obstetric unit were seen via telemedicine, excluding cases where invasive testing, intrauterine therapy or cardiac anomalies were anticipated. The outcomes measured included the indication for FM referral; scan duration and image and sound quality during the consulta

SUBMITTER: Smith VJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7793392 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature