1. Asynchronous telemedicine for clinical genetics consultations in the NICU: a single center’s solution
- Author
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Julie D. Kaplan, Emily Boothe, Brian Kirmse, Brayden West, and Laura G. Hendon
- Subjects
medicine.medical_specialty ,Telemedicine ,Neonatal intensive care unit ,Genetic counseling ,education ,Pilot Projects ,Telehealth ,Intensive Care Units, Neonatal ,medicine ,Humans ,Referral and Consultation ,Genetic testing ,medicine.diagnostic_test ,business.industry ,Infant, Newborn ,Infant ,Obstetrics and Gynecology ,Geneticist ,medicine.disease ,Patient Discharge ,Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health ,Workforce ,Medical genetics ,Medical emergency ,business - Abstract
Many infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) have genetic disorders or birth defects. The demand for genetic services is often complicated by a shortage of genetic providers. Our hospital experienced a significant reduction in genetic workforce, leading to insufficient genetic services to meet demand. The Plan-Do-Study-Act method of quality improvement was used to assess available resources, select an intervention plan, and collect patient outcome and provider satisfaction data. An asynchronous telehealth model was deployed for clinical genetics consultations in our NICU utilizing a remote clinical geneticist. The pilot study included 111 asynchronous telehealth consultations; 21% received a genetic diagnosis before discharge. Diagnoses were primarily chromosomal and single gene disorders. Referring NICU providers reported high satisfaction. Asynchronous telehealth for clinical genetics is a feasible and successful alternative to an on-site clinical geneticist and should be considered in areas with a genetic workforce shortage.
- Published
- 2021